The Langford-based Canadian men鈥檚 rugby sevens squad is in the same boat as the Steve Nash-managed Canadian men鈥檚 basketball team. Both lost this year in the crucial games of their continental qualifiers for the 2016 Summer Olympics and must now attempt to qualify for Rio through last-chance, at-large world repechage tournaments next year.
But while the young Canadian NBA hoopsters such as Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Olynyk will have many more chances in their careers, this is it for rugby star Phil Mack of Victoria.
鈥淚鈥檝e talked it over with the family. It has been a hell of a ride, but a career window is very short,鈥� said the 30-year old Oak Bay High and UVic Vikes grad, about what will be his final year of an outstanding career, which also took him to the 2015 XVs World Cup this year in England.
鈥淗opefully, I can end it off at the Olympics. That鈥檚 the dream.鈥�
Rugby Sevens will make its Games debut at Rio.
The quest begins with the 2015-16 Rugby Sevens World Series opener Dec. 4-5 in Dubai. The Canadian team was announced Wednesday. It includes Mack, fellow Oak Bay grad and James Bay player Sean White, captain John Moonlight of James Bay, Sean Duke, Nathan Hirayama and Duncan鈥檚 Pat Kay of the UVic Vikes, SMUS grad Mike Fuailefau of the Castaway Wanderers, Admir Cejvanovic of Burnaby Lake, Justin Douglas of Abbotsford RFC, Harry Jones and Adam Zaruba of Capilano RFC and Conor Trainor of UBCOB Ravens.
The national team will continue training through the week at Westhills Stadium in Langford before flying out on Saturday.
鈥淎ll the tournaments are build-ups to the Olympic qualifier,鈥� added Hirayama, who, like Mack, distinguished himself also in XVs at the World Cup this fall.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard on the body, but it鈥檚 holding up,鈥� said the 27-year-old, of the demanding international schedule.
鈥淣ational-team staff monitor our training and nutrition very closely.鈥�
Among the players Mack will be handing the torch over to will be rising 22-year-old Cowichan High grad Kay.
鈥淕rowing up, I watched Phil [Mack] and veterans like John [Moonlight], Sean [White], Sean [Duke], Nate [Hirayama] and the passion and commitment they brought to the game. It鈥檚 cool to now play alongside them,鈥� said Kay.
The difference being that while Kay would still have Tokyo 2020, some of the older veterans won鈥檛.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an important year with the Olympic qualifier [in June at Monaco]. There are 10 tournaments in five months, so there is going to be a lot less recovery time,鈥� noted Kay.
A highlight for the Canuck players of this year鈥檚 World Series will be the first sa国际传媒 Sevens on March 12-13 at sa国际传媒 Place.
鈥淚鈥檝e got all sorts of people asking for tickets,鈥� said Mack, with a chuckle.
