32 players to represent Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team at the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge

Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team will compete in the 2025 Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge, with 32 players announced for the travelling squad by Christiaan Esterhuizen, Head Coach of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team. 

Ahead of travelling to Fiji, the team will convene on Vancouver Island in May for a two-week camp, training out of Langford as well as at Shawnigan Lake School.  

This will be the second edition of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge, and will see Canada take on Samoa on May 28, Fiji on June 2, and Tonga on June 7 at King Charles Park in Nadi. 

Earlier this year, a long list of players for Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team for 2025 was announced. Players were identified and selected via their participation in university and club competition and tournaments like the U19 Canadian Rugby Championship, past performance with Canada’s age grade programs, and recommendations from provincial coaches. Available players also participated in a four-day training and alignment camp at Vancouver’s St. George’s School, held alongside HSBC SVNS Vancouver. 

"Participating in the 2025 Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge is a critical step in developing our young Canadian players,” said Esterhuizen. “Competing against top Pacific nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will test our players’ resilience and adaptability while providing them with a taste of international rugby. This experience will provide exposure to different playing styles and prepare our players for future international competitions. It’s a valuable opportunity to grow, learn and measure ourselves against some of the best.” 

Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen will be joined on staff by John McFarland (Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Defence Coach), Hubert Buydens (Pacific Pride Development Academy Forwards Coach), Cory Hector (University of Guelph), Paddy Watson (Balmy Beach RFC), Conor Turner (Strength and Conditioning Coach), and Erin Schatkowsky (Athletic Therapist).  

Rugby Canada would like to thank Adera and the Canadian Rugby Foundation for their support of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team.

CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM  
2025 OCEANIA RUGBY U20S CHALLENGE SQUAD 

FORWARDS 
Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) - University of Victoria / Aurora Barbarians  
Alexander Muir (Victoria, BC) - University College Dublin / UBCOB Ravens 
Alistair Yeomans (Mississauga, ON) - University of Guelph / Mississauga Blues 
Andrew Neveu (Uxbridge, ON) - Durham College / Oshawa Vikings RFC  
Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) - Queen’s University / UBCOB Ravens 
Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) - Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans  
Ben Koolen (Banbury, ENG) - Bloxham School / Gloucester Rugby 
Brighton Feldman (Langford, BC) - University of Victoria / Westshore RFC 
Coen Quinn (Ottawa, ON) - Queen’s University / Bytown Blues RFC  
Cole Harris (Uxbridge, ON) - Pacific Pride / Brock RFC   
Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) - Clontarf FC 
Elijah McQueen (Fergus, ON) - University of British Columbia / Fergus Highland Rugby  
James Noftall (Conception Bay South, NL) - University of British Columbia / Swilers RFC 
Kaea Griffiths (Penzance, ENG) - Camborne RFC 
Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) - Leeds Beckett University / Red Deer Titans  
Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) - University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish  
Quinn Foley (Oakville, ON) - University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders  
Simroy John (Clapham Heights Christ Church, BRB) - Shawnigan Lake School 

BACKS 
Daniel Muzaliwa (Cape Town, RSA) - University of Waterloo / Waterloo County   
Evan Davies (Toronto, ON) - Balmy Beach RFC   
Jimmy Leach (London, UK) - Brunel University  
Jonty Nicholas (Wiltshire, UK) - University of British Columbia  
Joshua McIndoe (Victoria, BC) - University of Victoria / Greerton Marist Rugby Club 
Kohl Kletke (Oakville, ON) - Western University / Oakville Crusaders  
Liam James (Vancouver, BC) - University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens 
Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) - UBCOB Ravens 
Matthew Bennett (Durban, RSA) - University of Victoria / Westshore RFC 
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) - University of Victoria 
Reece Thompson (Minesing, ON) - University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby 
Rowan Closs (Uxbridge, ON) - Brock Rugby Club   
Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) - University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers  
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) - University of British Columbia / Balmy Beach Rugby Club 

NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES 
Daniel Lucic (Oakville, ON) - University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders 
Finn Hughes (Peterborough, ON) - Wilfrid Laurier University / Peterborough Pagans 
Joe Kaufmann (Kingston, ON) - Kingston Panthers / La Salle School 
Josh du Toit (Cape Town, RSA) - University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC 
Max McGavern (Newcastle, AUS) - University of British Columbia / St Joseph’s 
Mitchell Buie (Victoria, BC) - Pacific Pride / Westshore RFC 
Noah Kynaston (Esquimalt, BC) - Pacific Pride / Castaway Wanderers  
Sam Blundell (Nanaimo, BC) - Pacific Pride