Rugby Canada Press Release - Twenty-five players have been selected for Canada’s men’s U20 World Junior Trophy qualifier against the USA on Feb. 13 in Austin, Texas.
 
Thirty-nine players were invited to a week-long training camp at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island that concluded last Friday with a comprehensive 44-7 win over Castaway Wanderers.
 
“There was incredible depth this year which meant some excellent players were going to miss out,” head coach Jeff Williams said. “We had a forwards camp for three days to focus on our set pieces and we looked at our technique in different facets of the game.”
 
The team features nine returnees from last year’s side that finished second in Phil Berna, Andrew Coe, Matt Tierney, Theo Sauder, Brendan Blaikie, Cali Martinez, Adrian Wadden, Reegan O’Gorman and Luke Bradley.
 
“They understand what we are trying to do and they are responsible for making sure we set our goals and the standards for the team are high,” Williams said.
 
Canada enjoyed a standout 2015 season as they went 7-1. They defeated Romania in two exhibition games before beating the USA twice in their qualifier. At the World Junior Trophy, Canada knocked off Namibia, Hong Kong and Tonga in the pool stages before losing to Georgia in the final, matching their best ever finish at the tournament. They achieved the same result in 2013.
 
Canada will tackle the USA in a one-game qualifier to seal their spot at the 2016 World Junior Trophy that is being held in Zimbabwe.  The game kicks off at 9:45pm ET / 6:45pm PT and will be broadcast LIVE with details to follow.
 
“It's tough having to play a one-game qualifier but it is out of our hands,” Williams said. “We can only control what we do. I have told the boys this will only make us stronger.  
 
“Our total mindset is to win. That's our first goal.” 
 
Canada’s Roster for the World Junior Trophy Qualifier vs. USA (Name, position, hometown):
 
Matt Tierney (prop), Oakville, ON
Curtis Delmonico (prop), Vancouver, BC
Brendan Blaikie (prop), Toronto, ON
Cali Martinez (prop), Vancouver, BC
 
Conor Sampson (hooker), Vancouver, BC
Andrew Quattrin (hooker), Holland Landing, ON
 
Reegan O’Gorman (lock), Vancouver, BC
Matt Beukeboom (lock), Lindsay, ON
Conor Keys (lock), Stittsville, ON
 
Luke Bradley (back row), Port Alberni, BC
Peter Milazzo (back row), Toronto, ON
Nakai Penny (back row), Courtenay, BC
Adrian Wadden (lock), Oakville, ON
 
Keaton Porter (scrum-half), Barrie, ON
Gavin Rowell (scrum-half), Langley, BC
Cole Keffer (scrum-half), North Vancouver, BC
 
Robbie Povey (fly-half), England
Mitch Richardson (fly-half), Stoney Creek, ON
 
Phil Berna (midfield), Vancouver, BC
Trenton Cooper (midfield), Zephyr, ON
George Barton (midfield), Duncan, BC
Will Manhire (midfield), England
 
Aaron Evison (outside backs), Golden, NC
Andrew Coe (outside backs), Toronto, ON
Theo Sauder (outside backs), Vancouver, BC
 
Non-traveling reserves:
 
Cooper Coates (fly-half), Halifax, NS
Foster Dewitt (hooker), Courtenay, BC
Marcello Wainwright (back row), Toronto, ON
Liam O’Hallahan (outside backs), Grande Prairie, AB
Justin Alyward (prop), Conception Bay South, NL
Kyle Lagasca (midfield), Toronto, ON
Charlie McMickan (fly-half), Athlone, Ireland
Sean Hase (outside backs), Vancouver, BC
Matt Gallagher (scrum-half), White Rock, BC
 
U20 Coaching Staff:
 
Head Coach - Jeff Williams
Assistant Coach - Kenny Goodland
Manager - Jack Hanratty
Video Analyst - Aaron Takle
Strength and Conditioning - Gareth Lynch
Head Therapist - Jessica Smith