PACIFIC NATIONS CUP SEMI-FINAL ROSTER NAMED FOR CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM VERSUS FIJI
Rugby 15s Senior Men
The match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s Pacific Nations Cup semi-final match against Fiji has been named by Head Coach Stephen Meehan.
PACIFIC NATIONS CUP SEMI-FINAL ROSTER NAMED FOR CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM VERSUS FIJI
September 12, 2025 (Denver, Colorado) – The match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s Pacific Nations Cup semi-final match against Fiji has been named by Head Coach Stephen Meehan.
Canada will kick off against Fiji in the semi-final on Sunday, September 14 at 5:35pm PT / 8:35pm ET at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado.
Canada and Fiji have met on 12 occasions, with Canada recording three victories in the head-to-head series. Canada’s most recent win over the current world No. 9 Fiji came in June 2013 at the Pacific Nations Cup, held at Twin Elm Rugby Park in Ottawa. On that day, Canada edged Fiji 20–18, securing their first victory against the Fijians in 18 years. The two nations last met in August 2019 in Suva, where Fiji earned a 38–13 win.
A few changes have been made by Meehan following Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup loss to Japan on August 30 in Sendai.
Ontario’s Mason Flesch moves to blindside flanker – being appointed captain for the remainder of the Pacific Nations Cup with veterans Lucas Rumball and Ben LeSage out due to injury. Siôn Parry shifts to openside.
Callum Botchar will make his first career start for Canada at lock, while Noah Flesch returns to the starting XV at outside centre. Izzak Kelly, Brock Gallagher, and Talon McMullin have been named to the match day roster for the first time in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup. The trio last featured for Canada in the opening test match of 2025 against Belgium on July 12 in Edmonton.
Kainoa Lloyd has been named to the bench in the No. 23 jersey, marking his first appearance for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team since facing Brazil in November 2023. The 31-year-old holds 24 caps for Canada and 10 international tries.
“The team has had valuable time together here in Denver since our match against Japan. Players and coaches have been working hard on improving our performances with each game we play, and we all want to come away with a performance that we are proud of,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. “We’re confident in the preparation we have been putting in, and the work rate from the players has been commendable. Fiji provides another good challenge for our team that we are looking forward to.”
Last weekend, Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team officially secured qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, following Japan’s victory over the United States in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup and Canada’s own 34–20 win over the United States at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on August 22. With qualification confirmed, Canada becomes the 21st nation to book its place at rugby’s pinnacle competition and will make its 10th Rugby World Cup appearance, having competed in every edition except 2023. While the primary objective of securing World Cup qualification has been achieved, the team remains firmly focused on progressing further in the Pacific Nations Cup.
“Being given the responsibility to lead the team, lead all my best mates into finals in the PNC… it means a lot, and we are up for the challenge.” Said Captain Mason Flesch, “I think for a lot of us it (RWC Qualifying) sparked focus and a lot of dedication that when we’re away from the team and the environment, we are going to put the work in and the graft for the biggest sporting event in rugby.”
The match will be streamed live on TSN2 and TSN+. Tickets can be found here.
More information about the Pacific Nations Cup can be found here.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS FIJI
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
3. Cole Keith (Sussex, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) - New England Free Jacks
5. Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – James Bay AA / NOLA Gold
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) - New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens
12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) - Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors
13. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
14. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors
15. Shane O’Leary (Cork, IRE) - Ballina Killaloe RFC / Miami Sharks
FINISHERS
16. Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZ) – Bayside RFC / Seattle Seawolves
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) - Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors
18. Conor Young (Yamba, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
19. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC
20. Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, QC) - Ormstown Saracens / RFC LA
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) - Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
22. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia
23. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) - James Bay AA / United Rugby Sports Club