Canada’s Senior Men’s Sevens Team Returns to Action At HSBC Spain Sevens

January 18, 2022 (Malaga, Spain) - Canada’s Senior Men’s Sevens team returns to action this Friday at the HSBC Spain Sevens in Malaga for the second stop of the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Sixteen men’s teams will compete over three days, beginning January 21 and concluding January 23.

Presented by Velocity Trade, Canada’s roster will be bolstered by the return of captain Phil Berna, absent from Canada’s Dubai lineup due to injury. Teammate and Vice-Captain Jake Thiel will also return from injury sustained in Dubai.

Canada’s Spain roster includes young talent in the form of Mill Bay’s Sion Griffiths and Abbotsford’s Noah Bain—both players could make their Sevens Series debuts. Additionally, 2021 HSBC Canada Sevens debutants Anton Ngongo, Matt Oworu and Alex Russell will all head to Spain for their first taste of international sevens competition.

“Our entire team is fortunate and thankful to be able to continue to compete on the Sevens circuit given the current circumstances that everyone is facing at the moment,” said Canada head coach Henry Paul. “We are excited to return to action with some new and familiar faces as we continue to develop young talent and welcome back a couple of players returning from injury. Every player is relishing the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage.”

MEN’S SCHEDULE / COVERAGE

Canada’s Men’s Squad has been drawn into Pool D alongside Kenya, France and Wales. For full coverage of this weekend’s action, visit the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series website HERE for the most up to date information, scores, stats and schedule updates.

WHERE TO WATCH

Broadcast coverage of the HSBC Sevens Series will be available in Canada via CBC. All events are available to live stream via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app and the free CBC Gem streaming service. CBC will air coverage of this weekend's tournament on Saturday, January 22 at 1:00p.m. ET.

CANADA’S MEN’S HSBC SPAIN SEVENS ROSTER

1. Theo Sauder (Vancouver, BC) - Vancouver Rowing Club
2. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) - Abbotsford RFC
3. Nick Allen (North Vancouver, BC) - UBC Thunderbirds
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) - Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) - McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Saracens
7. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) - Castaway Wanderers
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) - Halifax Tars RFC
9. Sion Griffiths (Mill Bay, BC) - Cowichan RFC
10. Noah Bain (Abbotsford, BC) - UVic Vikes
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds
12. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) - Foothills Lions RFC
13. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) - Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS

Brennig Prevost
Brock Webster
Giovani Douyon
Jarvis Dashkewytch
Lachlan Kratz
Pat Kay
David Richard
Isaac Olson
Lucas Scheck

PARTICIPATING IN OTHER RUGBY COMPETITIONS

Andrew Coe - Rugby United New York
Cody Nhanala - Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride
D’Shawn Bowen - Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride

-30-