Canada West Selects travelling roster confirmed for Coast to Coast Cup

May 23, 2022 (Langford, BC) – Canada West Selects’ 28-man travelling roster has been confirmed ahead of the team’s participation in the Coast to Coast Cup.

Led by Rugby Canada Academy Head Coach Phil Mack, the West Selects take on the Toronto Arrows Senior Academy on May 31 before a clash with the Atlantic Selects on June 4. Both matches are being played at Graves-Oakley Memorial Park in Halifax NS.

Tickets can be purchased here. All matches from the tournament will be streamed live on The Rugby Network.

Last week’s 40-17 win over the American Raptors at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, during which Island and Mainland squads each played two separate 40-minute matches as well as a 20-minute match against each other, was used as a selection tool for the Coast to Coast Cup roster.

“I want to thank all the players who put their hands up for selection, it was a difficult task picking the final squad and that speaks to the quality of players that turned up,” said Mack. “From a competition standpoint we know that the Arrows and Atlantic teams will be strong and as a group we are looking forward to the challenge. The Canada West Selects squad wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of help from local rugby builders here in BC and I want to acknowledge everyone who pitched in along the way to provide the players with unique experience."

“It is a very exciting prospect to take this exciting group of players on tour,” commented Canada West Selects Assistant Coach Christian Esterhuizen. “The break with COVID was obviously very concerning for most of the players. There is a strong desire amongst the players to build relationships with previous rivals and be a part of something bigger. Hopefully this tour can give some of the players the recognition they deserve as part of the journey within the structures of Rugby Canada.”

CANADA WEST SELECTS TRAVELLING COAST TO COAST CUP ROSTER

Willem Den Ouden (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
Jacob Bossi (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia
Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, New Zealand) – UBC Old Boys Ravens
Dan Cooper (Sunderland, ON) – Pacific Pride
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – St Paul’s
Favour Olaniyan (Gibsons, BC) – Trinity Western
Spencer Cooper (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
Alastair Bruce (Cape Town, South Africa) – Pacific Pride
Reid Davis (White Rock, BC) - Bayside Rugby Club
Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – Pacific Pride
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia
Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, ON) – Pacific Pride
Jalan Farris (Wainuiomata, New Zealand) - Meraloma Rugby Club
Zephyr Melnyk (Gabriola, BC) – Pacific Pride
Matt Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Pacific Pride / Regina Rogues
Alex Jordan (Newmarket, ON) – James Bay Athletic Association
Owen Brombal (Guelph, ON) - James Bay Athletic Association
Crosby Stewart (Prince Rupert, BC) - James Bay Athletic Association
Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers
Mike Moloney (Lyndoch, Australia) - Capilano RFC
Max Stewart (Cape Town, South Africa) – Pacific Pride
Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) - Bayside Rugby Club
Connor Bryon (Abbotsford, BC) - University of British Columbia
Johnny Franklin (Bowen Island, BC) - Capilano RFC
Fatoric Dawson (Ottawa, ON) - Pacific Pride
Jack Morris (Oakville, ON) – Pacific Pride / University of Guelph
Gabe Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria
Jacob Borne (Vancouver, BC) - University of British Columbia

CANADA WEST SELECTS TOURING STAFF

Phil Mack – Head Coach – Pacific Pride
Christian Esterhuizen - Assistant Coach – Vancouver Wave and Maraloma Rugby Club
Curry Hitchborn - Assistant Coach – University of British Columbia
Hubert Buydens - Assistant Coach – Pacific Pride
Micheal Deasy - Men’s Rugby Canada S&C
Brock Turner- Tour Manager
Jamie Niell – Physiotherapist

NON-TRAVELLING COACHES/SUPPORT STAFF

Sean White – Canada Senior Men’s Sevens
Dider Bahse - University of British Columbia
Mike Hall - S&C
Aaron Takel - Assistant Coach