Rugby Canada announce match-day roster for second leg of World Cup qualification series versus Chile

October 7, 2021 (Valparaiso, Chile) – Head coach Kingsley Jones has named the match-day roster for Canada’s Senior Men’s 15s team that will face Chile this Saturday, Oct. 9 in the second of two crucial Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualification Pathway matches at Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaiso.

Kick off for the second leg of the two-match series is set for 2pm ET/11am PT, and it is available to view exclusively in Canada through Premier Sports. This weekend’s upcoming match, as well as last weekend’s thrilling win, are available to view for only USD $9.95.

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There will be two changes to Canada’s starting roster this Saturday. Newly arrived Tyler Ardron slots into the back row at #6 for Matt Heaton who was unavailable for selection, and veteran Patrick Parfrey starts at fullback. In the reserves, Matt Tierney comes back into the match-day team at #18 while Quinn Ngawati wears #23 and could see his first Rugby World Cup Qualification action should he come onto the pitch. The side is again captained by Lucas Rumball.

The winner of the two-match series is determined by an aggregate score across both games and will face the loser of the USA - Uruguay series next July to decide Americas 2, which will qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Pool D alongside No. 4 England, No. 8 Argentina, No. 10 Japan and No. 13 Samoa. 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER

Forwards:
1. Djustice Sears-Duru - Oakville, ON - Unattached
2. Eric Howard - Ottawa, ON - NOLA Gold
3. Tyler Rowland - Mississauga, ON – Toronto Arrows
4. Corey Thomas - Perth, Western AUS - LA Giltinis
5. Kyle Baillie - Summerside, PEI - NOLA Gold
6. Tyler Ardron - Peterbourough, ON - Castres Olympique
7. Lucas Rumball - Markham, ON - Toronto Arrows (C)
8. Siaki Vikilani - Burnaby, BC - Toronto Arrows

Backs:
9. Ross Braude - Pretoria, SA - Toronto Arrows
10. Peter Nelson - Dungannon, UK - Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
11. Kainoa Lloyd - Mississauga, ONT - James Bay AA
12. Spencer Jones - Cambridge, NZ - Toronto Arrows
13. Ben LeSage - Calgary, AB - Toronto Arrows
14. Brock Webster - Uxbridge, ON - Canada Rugby 7's
15. Patrick Parfrey - St. John’s, NL - Toronto Arrows/Swilers RFC

Reserves:
16. Andrew Quattrin - Holland Landing, ON - Toronto Arrows
17. Cole Keith - Sussex, NB - Toronto Arrows
18. Matt Tierney – Oakville, ON – Castres Olympique
19. Conor Keys - Stittsville, ON - Rugby ATL
20. Michael Smith - White Rock, BC - San Diego Legion
21. Rob Povey – Long Buckby, UK - Houston SaberCats
22. Jason Higgins - Cork, IRE - Toronto Arrows
23. Quinn Ngawati - Victoria, BC - RUNY

Please direct interview requests to Tania Richards, Acting Director, Marketing & Communications at trichards@rugby.ca. 
 

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby XV’s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments. For more information or if interested in supporting our teams through sponsorship, please contact: media@rugby.ca.

ABOUT RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023
The Rugby World Cup has been held every four years since 1987. A benchmark competition for international rugby, it represents the holy grail for any player. Hosted in France in 2023, there will be 600 players from the 5 major continents, divided into 20 teams, all dreaming of the William Webb Ellis Trophy which is awarded to the winning country. 

The 2023 tournament will mark the 10th Rugby World Cup with matches starting on September 8, 2023 and concluding 45 days later with the final on October 28.