Canada's Men's Sevens Team roster set for Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the eighth men’s tournament in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, has been named by interim Head Coach Sean White.

The team will face Argentina, Fiji and Samoa in Pool A over March 31 to April 2 at Hong Kong Stadium. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will then compete at Singapore Sevens the following weekend, April 8 to 9.

Making his debut is the Pacific Pride’s Max Stewart, who had a strong showing at the Los Angeles Invitational Sevens tournament in February on a roster of Western Canada’s next generation players.

Will Percillier, who earned his first cap for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team in 2019, will also make his World Rugby Sevens Series debut, and has been added to the roster on a loan from his French Pro D2 club, Rugby Club Vannes.

Returning from injury are David Richard, who last played in December’s Dubai Sevens, and Brennig Prevost, who suffered a long term injury last year and will appear in his first tournament of the 2023 season in Hong Kong.

“At Canada Sevens our aim was to build from our performances in LA. At moments we accomplished this, and other times our execution let us down,” said interim Head Coach Sean White. “We’ve had a very productive training block over the last few weeks that continued our focus on our skill execution under pressure as well as continuing to build the aggression in our defence. The players know the challenges ahead and as a group our sights are set only as far as the next game in front of us.”

Canada opens pool play against Argentina on Friday March 31 at 12:52 a.m. PT / 3:52 a.m. ET, followed by Fiji on Friday March 31 at 8:52 p.m. PT / 11:52 p.m. ET and Samoa on Saturday April 1 at 1:13 a.m. PT / 4:13 a.m. ET.

SCHEDULE / COVERAGE

For the most up to date information on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and live coverage, visit the official website world.rugby/sevens-series. There you will find details regarding the event format, schedule, and the latest news.

WHERE TO WATCH

Broadcast coverage of the HSBC World Rugby 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.

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER

1. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
10. Brennig Prevost (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues RFC
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
21. Max Stewart (Cape Town, RSA) – Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / NOLA Gold
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues
77. Will Percillier (Bordeaux, FRA) – Rugby Club Vannes