(IRB.COM) Friday 10 September 2010
The Canadian Men's Rugby Sevens team is poised to mount a strong challenge against many of the world's top rugby nations at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India next month.
Canada have been drawn in Pool A alongside three-time defending gold medalists New Zealand as well as World Series regulars Scotland and Guyana, who also competed on the World Series this year in Las Vegas.
"I know that the Rugby Sevens tournament in Delhi will be one of the hottest spectator draws of these Games," said Martha Deacon, Canada's Chef de Mission. "It's a great test for our talented Canadian squad."
Head coach Geraint John says the introduction of Rugby Sevens into the Olympic programme in 2016 has brought renewed energy to this fast-paced brand of rugby and he expects the Canadian squad to show well on the Commonwealth Games stage where so many top teams are competing.
"Six of the seven players who started for us in the Bowl final at the Hong Kong Sevens in March will be with us in Delhi. We won that final over Wales and we'll be carrying that momentum into the Commonwealth Games next month'" said John, who took over from Morgan Williams as head coach in August.
"Selection is based on 2010's performance and IRB World Series games. Players who played well there and gained Series points were in consideration and we need to have that continuity.
"There was good work from last year and it was carried out by Morgan and the staff and I would like to give some thanks to Morgan for those efforts."
One player who took an unconventional path to Sevens success is Ian Shoults, who played for the recreational side Dog River Howlers out of Regina during several tournaments including the Havana Sevens in Cuba and found himself in contention for the Commonwealth squad.
17 year old Taylor Paris has also been a big story - using his pace and ball handling skills to great affect in getting his first match for Canada against Argentina at the Wellington Sevens. 10 seconds after entering the game he received a pass from Phil Mack and took the ball across the line - likely to be one of the quickest tries ever by a debutant in Canada or any other country.
The core of the team has solid sevens experience - led by Phil Mack - the team captain and top points scorer for Canada on the IRB Sevens Series this season, with 125.
First year man Thyssen de Goede also impressed with his debut in Hong Kong, scoring four tries en route to the Bowl title.
Ciaran Hearn has already developed a strong reputation after just two seasons on the circuit - and his play for Canada's fifteens team has also impressed.
Canada squad: Nanyak Dala, Thyssen de Goede, Sean Duke, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Phil Mack, Ian Shoults, Neil Meechan, Justin Mensah-Coker, John Moonlight, Taylor Paris, Conor Trainor