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Changes to Sevens Squad ahead of New Zealand and USA tournaments

A week prior to the departure of the Canadian Sevens team to International Rugby Board events in Wellington, New Zealand and Las Vegas Nevada, there have been two changes to the squad announced last week.

Head Coach for the Sevens team, Geraint John, announced the withdrawal of seasoned campaigner Neil Meechan, and also announced his replacement and one other player that was still to be named for the Wellington Sevens leg of the tournament. Victoria's Beau Parker and Edmonton native Kyle Gilmour will be getting their first Sevens tour experience as they were named to the team Thursday.

According to John, the withdrawal of Meechan was down to a potential career opportunity for the 27 year old Victoria resident. "Neil was scheduled to receive an invitation to the Victoria Fire Department and this was something he was aware of and made us aware of when we selected him previously," explained the Coach, who is preparing his team for the first stops of Canada's IRB season.

There is, however, still a possibility that Meechan will attend the Las Vegas Sevens the weekend of February 12th. In selecting Parker, John was very bullish about the 19 year old, who tested in the top three of the recent Sevens camp attendees. "He is a very exciting young player," John confirmed of the UVic Vikes and former Castaway Wanderers player who played for Canada's U20 men's team in Russia.

Gilmour came to the January Sevens camp as a result of his strong performances in last years CRC competition for the Prairie Wolf Pack "He impressed throughout the CRC and again at the camp in January ," John said.

Taking over the role of Captain is fourth year man Nathan Hirayama. The 22 year old Victoria native will have the steadying influence of some key lieutenants in the form of Ciaran Hearn, Sean Duke, Adam Kleeberger and Thyssen de Goede. John said when he told Hirayama of the decision the young player responded with "this is an honour."

The Canadian Sevens team departs next Thursday for an early arrival to the New Zealand event, compared to other years. In the mean time the team has benefited from Monday sessions with Doug Tate's University of Victoria squad. "That has been a tremendous benefit to be able to scrimmage against talented players and to work our Victoria based players as a group," he said. "We have also been getting in extra sessions on Saturdays and it has been good to see the progress."

Canada takes on South Africa, Fiji and France on Day One of the Wellington tournament February 4th, with Cup rounds on Saturday, February 5th.

In Week two in the desert of Nevada, it is Fiji for a second straight week as well as Australia and Scotland on Saturday February 12th and the first round of the play-offs taking place on the Saturday as well to accommodate NBC Sports. Cup, Bowl and Plate finals take place on Sunday afternoon.

Squad:

Thyssen de Goede (BC Bears) (Victoria, BC)

Sean Duke (BC Bears) (Victoria, BC)

Kyle Gilmour (Prairie Wolf Pack) (Edmonton, AB)

Ciaran Hearn (The Rock) (Conception Bay South, NFLD)

Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears) (C) (Victoria, BC)

Adam Kleeberger (BC Bears) (White Rock, BC)

Justin Mensah-Coker (Unattached) (Vancouver, BC)

John Moonlight (Ontario Blues) (Pickering, ON)

Chauncey O’Toole (The Rock) (Belle Isle, NB)

Taylor Paris (Ontario Blues) (Barrie, ON)

Beau Parker (BC Bears) (Victoria, BC)

Keaton Styles (BC Bears) (Victoria, BC)

Conor Trainor (BC Bears) (Vancouver, BC)

Coach: Geraint John Assistant Coach: Quentin Fyffe Manager: Brent Johntson Therapist: Carla Brash

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