Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team match day roster named for first of two test matches versus Tonga

Head Coach Kingsley Jones has named Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s roster for the first of two test matches against Tonga at Teufaiva Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday August 10 (7:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday August 9). Led by co-captains Lucas Rumball and Ben LeSage, this will be the first time that Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team has played Tonga since August 2019 in Fiji, as well as just the second match Tonga has played at home since 2017, with the Ikale Tahi having hosted Australia A in July.

Izzak Kelly, who capped off his final season with UBC by winning the 2022 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship and now plays with Spotswood United RFC in New Zealand, will earn his first start for Canada. Conor Young and Mason Flesch will also earn their first starts for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, with Young having made his debut off the bench against the Netherlands last fall and Flesch returning to international competition following recovery from injury.

Potentially coming off the bench to play in their first caps for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team are Siôn Parry, Travis Larsen and Mitch Richardson. Parry has honed his game in Wales, while Larsen and Richardson both had strong seasons with the Toronto Arrows and have previously represented Canada ‘A’ in the Americas Pacific Challenge.

Meeting up with the team in Tonga is Cole Keith, who was recently named to the Manawatu Turbos 2023 squad and played his first few matches in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship prior to joining Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team.

Prior to travelling to Tonga, Canada held a 12-day training camp in Nadi, Fiji, which included a closed training scrimmage with the Fijian Drua academy.

“The team has put in a lot of good work over the last 12 days and our leadership group has really taken ownership and stepped up to lead this group well. They are focused and eagerly anticipating the challenge of facing a strong Tongan team,” said Kingsley Jones. “Coming into this tour, we were looking forward to seeing a mix of veteran players and newer faces push and motivate each other on and off the pitch, and the roster we have named for Thursday’s match reflects that.”

Broadcast information will be announced shortly.

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

1. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – Greater Sydney Rams / New England Free Jacks
4. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Spotswood United RFC
5. Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Ottawa Ospreys / New England Free Jacks
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Toronto Arrows
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto Arrows
8. Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors
9. Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows
10. Robbie Povey (Northampton, UK) – Long Bukby RFC / Houston SaberCats
11. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – New England Free Jacks
12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, New Zealand) – New England Free Jacks
13. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
14. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Houston SaberCats
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC / Toronto Arrows

FINISHERS

16. Foster Dewitt (Courtney, BC) – Westshore RFC / New England Free Jacks
17. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / San Diego Legion
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers / New England Free Jacks
19. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Pontypridd RFC
21. Travis Larsen (Parksville, BC) – James Bay AA / Meralomas / Toronto Arrows
22. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
23. Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University / Toronto Arrows