Welcome from Pat Aldous, Rugby Canada Chairman
Transcription
Welcome from Pat Aldous, Rugby Canada Chairman
Welcome from Pat Aldous, Rugby Canada Chairman On behalf of Rugby Canada, I would like to congratulate everyone participating in the 2015 Rugby World Cup hosted by England. Canada has competed in every World Cup since its inception in 1987 and is proud to send our most talented members of the National Senior Men’s team to compete on the world stage. Rugby has a long and proud history: it is a shared passion that unites cultures around the world. Rugby Canada applauds the players and the support staff ‘s tireless efforts and the many hours of training endured to have the opportunity to compete against the world’s best. This summer, Rugby Canada travelled across the country, with matches in four Provinces and seven cities. This had been made possible by the unprecedented growth in our fan base. We hosted the Pacific Nations Cup in Toronto and Burnaby and also held the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton. We also held test matches in Ottawa and Halifax. I would like to acknowledge the support of our partners and supporters. Without the support of our Clubs and Provincial Unions, sponsors and funding partners, including Sport Canada, Own the Podium and World Rugby, the growth and success of our National Programs would not be what it has been these past few years. There is still progress to be made to keep competitive with the rest of the world and continuing to bring world-class rugby to Canada will support that objective. Good luck to all the teams and we look forward to our contests against Ireland, France, Italy and Romania, our opponents in the knockout rounds. Go Canada go! Pat Aldous Chairman, Rugby Canada The State of Canadian Rugby Top domestic competition — Canadian Rugby Championship Features four regional teams — Atlantic Rock, BC Bears, Ontario Blues and Prairie Wolf Pack Provincial Unions: 10 Clubs: 309 Registered players: 27,421 (21,250 male / 6,171 female) ABOUT CANADA: Canada is an expansive nation and the second largest country in the world. It consists of 10 provinces and three territories and reaches the Pacific Ocean on the west coast and the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast. Both English and French are the official languages of Canada, as well as several recognized languages of its indigenous population. Canada has more than 35 million residents and boasts a wide range of both wildlife and and environments, from coastal communities and metropolis to flat farmlands, rainforests and arctic wilderness. NPSP Continues to Provide Funding for Athletes The National Player Support Program is a critical part of the success of Rugby Canada’s athletes. The program has been in place since 2013 and is headed up by Canada’s all-time test appearance leader Al Charron. “It’s a slush fund to address some of the needs that other funding doesn’t,” Charron said. “It’s allowing our players to play and commit to Canada and hopefully allowing the players to be the best that they can be when taking the field. “Canada only has so many blue-chip unbelievable rugby players and that is trying to grow but we can’t afford to lose those players.” The funds are used in a variety of ways to support athletes and are distributed by Rugby Canada’s High Performance Department “The National Players Support Program is incredibly important to Rugby Canada and the support it provides our national team athletes cannot be underestimated,” Rugby Canada’s General Manager of Rugby Operations and Performance, Jim Dixon said. “I thank those who support the program and in doing so enable our players to dedicate the hours needed to perform on the world stage. Contributions to the program are made by donation with Charron seeking out members of the rugby community as well businesses and the general public. “We’ve had donations as small as $50 and as big as $30,000,” Charron said. “We’re trying to get as many more people in as possible and there’s a lot more we can do that we should be able to do and we’re trying to get the word out there and get our athletes looked after as best as possible so that when they take the field for Canada they’re going to do us proud and we’re going to be proud of them.” The program benefits both the men’s and women’s sevens and fifteens program as well as Canada’s age grade teams and can supply money for players who aren’t carded as well as supplement those who are. Decisions regarding allocation are decided in consultation with the coaches and the managers. List of National Player Support Program donors: Scott Dexter, Alan Horn, Doug McCutcheon, Murray Bryant, Michael McKenna, Jeffrey Moody, Anthony Solomon, Mark Thompson, Bill Webb, Brendan Parfrey, Ian MacMillan, Scott Hendry, Richard Powers, Greg Ashe, Al Charron, Kevin Reed, Mark Johnson, Ian MacLean, Tim Powers, Trevor Jones, Scott MacDonald, Greg Mosgrove, Robert Orange, Bill Dinardo, Ross and Louise Waters, Anatol Von Hahn, Noel Browne, Pat Parfrey, William Thompson, Richard Graham, Tim and Susan Lorimer, Gus Fumano, Robert Hutchison, Andy Wright, Graeme Young, James Cole, Ron Allen, Tom Woods, Steve Skalic, David Loucks, Hugh Christie, John and Gabrielle Goudy Dennis Quigley, Keith Gillam, John Gerome, Shane Duff, Barry Giffen, Rob Forbrigger, Colin Brown, Sean St. John, Jason Lewis, Stephanie White, Robert Lee, Richie Oh, Gary Dukelow, Steven Gardiner, John Ormston, Ray Smallwood, Brian Burke, Stephen Webb, Duncan McNaughton, Sean Gillespie, Pat Murphy,Ron McCabe, Debbie Moonlight, Dennis Clarke, Michael Antolin, Dawn Dauphinee, Jimmy Heaslip, CG Industrial Specialties (staff), McCague Borlack LLP Barristers & Solicitors, AJ MacMurrayRamsay, David Butler, Toby Shannan, Dan Pletch, Fred Burton Rugby World Cup History ABOUT: The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world and is contested every four years between the top international teams. The tournament was first held in 1987, when the tournament was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The most recent tournament was held in 2011 in New Zealand. The winners are awarded the William Webb Ellis Cup, named after William Webb Ellis, the Rugby School pupil who — according to a popular myth — invented rugby by picking up the ball during a football game. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have won the tournament twice while England have won it once. The tournament is administered by World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body. Sixteen teams were invited to participate in the inaugural tournament in 1987, however since 1999 twenty teams have taken part. Japan will host the event in 2019. HOSTS: 1987 — New Zealand and Australia 1991 — England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France 1995 — South Africa 1999 — England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France 2003 — Australia 2007 — France, Scotland, Wales 2011 — New Zealand 2015 — England 2019 — Japan WINNERS: 1987 — New Zealand (29-9 vs. France) 1991 — Australia (12-6 vs. England) 1995 — South Africa (15-12 vs. New Zealand AET) 1999 — Australia (35-12 vs. France) 2003 — England (20-17 vs. Australia AET) 2007 — South Africa (vs. England 15-6) 2011 — New Zealand (vs. France 8-7) Canada’s Rugby World Cup Match History 2011: New Zealand Pool Games: September 14 — Canada 25-20 Tonga (Northland Events Centre, Whangarei) September 18 — Canada 19-46 France (McLean Park, Napier) September 27 — Canada 23-23 Japan (McLean Park, Napier) October 2 — Canada 15-79 New Zealand (Regional Stadium, Wellington) 1995: South Africa Pool Games: May 26 — Canada 34-3 Romania (Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth) May 31 — Canada 11-27 Australia (Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth) June 3 — Canada 0-20 South Africa (Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth) 1991: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France Pool Games: October 5 — Canada 13-3 Fiji (Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne) October 9 — Canada 19-11 Romania (Stade Municipal, Toulouse) October 13 — Canada 13-19 France (Stade Armandie, Agen) Quarter-finals: October 20 — Canada 13-29 New Zealand (Stade de Nord, Lille) 2007: France, Scotland, Wales Pool Games: September 9 — Canada 17-42 Wales (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes) September 16 — Canada 16-29 Fiji (Millenium Stadium, Cardiff) September 25 — Canada 12-12 Japan (Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux) 1987: New Zealand and Australia September 29 — Canada 6-37 (Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux) Pool Games: May 24 — Canada 37-4 Tonga (McLean Park, Napier) 2003: Australia May 30 — Canada 19-46 Ireland (Carisbrook, Dunedin) Pool Games: June 3 — Canada 9-40 Wales (Rugby Park, Invercargill) October 12 — Canada 10-41 Wales (Telstra Dome, Melbourne) October 17 — Canada 6-68 New Zealand (Telstra Dome, Melbourne) October 21 — Canada 14-19 Italy (Bruce Stadium, Canberra) October 29 — Canada 24-7 Tonga (Win Stadium, Wollongong) World Cups: 7 1999: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France Matches: 21 Pool Games: Wins: 6 October 2 — Canada 20-33 France (Stade de la Mediterranee, Draws: 2 Beziers) Defeats: 17 October 9 — Canada 22-38 Fiji (Stade Lescure, Bordeaux) Points for: 469 October 14 — Canada 72-11 Namibia (Stade Municipal, Toulouse) Points against: 707 Overall World Cup record Canada’s 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D Fixtures DATE OPPONENT LOCATION Saturday, September 19 Ireland 50-7 Canada Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, 2:30 pm Saturday, September 26 Italy Elland Road, Leeds, England, 2:30 pm Thursday, October 1 France Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England, 8 pm Tuesday, October 6 Romania King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, 4:45pm Canada’s Record vs. RWC 2015 Pool Opponents vs. Ireland (0-5-1) vs. France (1-7) vs. Italy (2-5) vs. Romania (2-3) June 25, 2013 (Toronto) Ireland 40-14 Canada September 18, 2011 (Napier, RWC) France 46-19 Canada June 15, 2012, (Toronto) Italy 25-16 Canada November 22, 2014 (Bucharest) Romania 18-9 Canada May 23, 2009 (Vancouver) Ireland 25-6 Canada November 9, 2008 (Limerick) Ireland 55-0 Canada June 17, 2000 (Markham) Canada 27-27 Ireland November 30, 1997 (Lansdowne Rd) Ireland 33-11 Canada May 30, 1987 (Dunedin, RWC) Ireland 46-19 Canada November 12, 2005 (Nantes) France 50-6 Canada November 25, 2006 (Fontanafredda) Italy 41-6 Canada July 10, 2004 (Toronto) France 47-13 Canada November 6, 2004 (L’Aquila) Italy 51-6 Canada November 23, 2002 (Saint Denis) France 35-3 Canada October 21, 2003 (Canberra, RWC) Italy 19-14 Canada October 2, 1999 (Beziers) France 33-20 Canada November 11, 2000 (Revigo) Canada 22-17 Italy December 17, 1994 (Besancon) France 28-9 Canada June 4, 1994 (Ottawa) Canada 18-16 France October 13, 1991 (Agen, RWC) France 19-13 Canada June 25, 1983 (Burnaby) Canada 19-13 Italy July 1, 1983 (Toronto) Italy 37-9 Canada November 16, 2013 (Bucharest) Romania 21-20 Canada November 19, 2005 (Bucharest) Romania 22-20 Canada May 26, 1995 (Port Elizabeth, RWC) Canada 34-3 Romania October 9, 1991 (Toulouse, RWC) Canada 19-11 Romania Canada’s Senior Men’s Captains 2015 — Tyler Ardron, Aaron Carpenter, Jamie Cudmore 2014 — Tyler Ardron 2013 — Tyler Ardron, Hubert Buydens 2012 — Aaron Carpenter 2011 — Pat Riordan, Ander Monro 2010 — Pat Riordan 2009 — Pat Riordan 2008 — Ed Fairhurst, Pat Riordan 2007 — Morgan Williams, Mike James 2006 — Ryan Smith, Morgan Williams 2005 — Mark Lawson, Keith Tkachuk, Mike Webb, Morgan Williams 2004 — Mike Webb, Keith Tkachuk 2003 — Ryan Banks, Mike James, Al Charron 2002 — Al Charron, Pat Dunkley 2001 — Gregor Dixon, Al Charron, Pat Dunkley, Rod Snow 2000 — Al Charron, Kyle Nichols 1999 — John Graf, Gareth Rees 1998 — Bob Ross, Gareth Rees, John Graf 1997 — Gareth Rees, John Graf 1996 — Steve Gray, John Graf, Al Charron 1995 — Gareth Rees, John Graf 1994 — Ian Stuart, Gareth Rees 1993 — Karl Svoboda, Norm Hadley, Ian Stuart 1992 — Norm Hadley 1991 — Mark Wyatt, Glenn Ennis 1990 — Mark Wyatt 1989 — Glenn Ennis 1988 — Roy Radu 1987 — Hans de Goede, Roy Radu 1986 — Hans de Goede 1985 — John Phelan, Hans de Goede 1984 — Hans de Goede 1983 — Ian Macmillan 1982 — Spence McTavish 1981 — Mike Luke, Spence McTavish 1980 — Mike Luke 1979 — Mike Luke 1978 — Ken Wilkie, Mike Luke 1977 — Preston Wiley 1976 — Ken Wilkie 1975 — No games played 1974 — Mike Luke 1973 — Ken Wilkie 1972 — No games played 1971 — Pat Aldous 1970 — Ross McDonald 1968-69 — No games played 1967 — Ted Hunt 1966 — Ted Hunt 1963-65 — No games played 1962 — Buzz Moore 1933-61 — No games played 1932 — Jerry L. Boone, Len Leroy Canada’s Senior Men’s Head Coaches Kieran Crowley — 2008-present Ric Suggitt — 2004-2007 David Clark — 2000-2003 Pat Parfrey — 1996-1999 Ian Birtwell — 1990-1996 Gary Johnston — 1985-1989 Barry Legh — 1985 Tillman Briggs — 1983-1984 Bruce Howe — 1979-1982 Donn Spence — 1976-1978 George Carson — 1973-1974 Max Howell — 1971 Dick Ellis — 1970 George Sainas — 1967 Ken Banks — 1966 ‘Buzz’ Moore — 1962 Jack Tyrwhitt — 1932 Canada’s All-time Leading Cap Winners Al Charron — 76 caps (1990-2003) Aaron Carpenter — 68 caps (2005 - present) Winston Stanley — 66 caps (1994-2003) Scott Stewart — 64 caps (1989-2001) Rod Snow — 62 caps (1995-2007) James Pritchard — 61 caps (2003-2015) Bob Ross — 58 caps (1989-2003) Ed Fairhurst — 57 caps (2001-2012) Mike James — 56 caps (1994-2007) Morgan Williams — 56 caps (1999-2008) Gareth Rees — 55 caps (1986-1999) Keith Tkachuk — 55 caps (2000-2010) John Graf — 54 caps (1989-1999) Ryan Smith — 51 caps (2003-2011) John Hutchinson — 50 caps (1993-2000) Eddie Evans — 49 caps (1986-1998) Steve Gray — 47 caps (1984-1997) Ciaran Hearn — 46 caps (2008-present) Tyler Hotson — 45 caps (2008-present) John Thiel — 44 caps (1998-2008) Pat Riordan — 43 caps (2003-2011) Jebb Sinclair — 40 caps (2008-present) Pat Dunkley — 38 caps (1998-2005) Adam Kleeberger — 38 caps (2005-2014) John Tait — 37 caps (1997-2002) Canada’s All-time Leading Point Scorers James Pritchard — 607 points Gareth Rees — 491 points Bobby Ross — 419 points Mark Wyatt — 234 points Jared Barker — 226 points Winston Stanley — 123 points John Graf — 89 points DTH Van Der Merwe — 85 points Scott Stewart — 84 points Aaron Carpenter — 70 points Most Points in a Match by Canada Most Points Allowed in a Match 72 — vs. Namibia (Toulouse, 1999) 69 — vs. Barbados (Bridgetown, 2006) 62 — vs. Japan (Markham, 2000) 60 — vs. Spain (Madrid, 2010) 57 — vs. USA (St. John’s, 2006) 57 — vs. Hong Kong (Vancouver, 1996) 79 — vs. New Zealand (Wellington, 2011) 74 — vs. Australia (Brisbane, 1996) 73 — vs. New Zealand (Auckland, 1995) 70 — vs. England (Twickenham, 2004) 68 — vs. New Zealand (Melbourne, 2003) Most Points in a Match by a Player Most Tries in a Match by a Player 36 — James Pritchard vs. USA (St. John’s, 2006) 29 — James Pritchard vs. Barbados (Bridgetown, 2006) 27 — Gareth Rees vs. Namibia (Toulouse, 1999) 26 — Bobby Ross vs. Japan (Vancouver, 1996) 4 — Kyle Nichols vs. Japan (Markham, 2000) 3 — James Pritchard vs. Barbados (Bridgetown, 2006) 3 — James Pritchard vs. USA (St. John’s, 2006) 3 — Steve Gray vs. USA (Vancouver, 1997) Most Tries in a Career by Player Most Tries in a Match by Canada 24 — Winston Stanley (66 caps) 18 — James Pritchard (61 caps) 17 — DTH Van Der Merwe (36 caps) 14 — Aaron Carpenter (68 caps) 13 — Morgan Williams (56 caps) 10 — Kyle Nichols (25 caps) 11 — vs. Barbados (Bridgetown, 2006) 9 — vs. Namibia (Toulouse, 1999) 8 — vs. Tonga (Napier, 1987) 8 — vs. Japan (Vancouver, 1991) 8 — vs. Japan (Markham, 2000) 8 — vs. Spain (Madrid, 2010) Most Matches by Starting Position Most Matches as Captain Fullback — Scott Stewart, 45 caps Wing — Winston Stanley, 44 caps Centre — Steve Gray, 31 caps Fly-half — Gareth Rees, 47 caps Scrum-half — Morgan Williams, 52 caps Prop — Rod Snow, 56 caps Hooker — Pat Riordan, 35 caps Lock — Mike James, 55 caps Flanker — Al Charron, 43 caps No. 8 — Aaron Carpenter, 46 caps 25 — Al Charron 25 — Gareth Rees 23 — Pat Riordan 15 — John Graf 15 — Morgan Williams 13 — Aaron Carpenter 9 — Tyler Ardron 9 — Mark Wyatt 8 — Hans de Goede 8 — Mike Luke Most Penalty Goals by a Player Most Conversions by a Player 110 — Gareth Rees 103 — James Pritchard 84 — Bobby Ross 56 — Mark Wyatt 55 — Jared Barker 104 — James Pritchard 51 — Gareth Rees 51 — Bobby Ross 24 — Jared Barker 23 — Mark Wyatt Most Drop Goals by a Player Most Yellow Cards by a Player 10 — Bobby Ross 9 — Gareth Rees 4 — Mark Wyatt 3 — Ander Monro 1 — 9 players 6 — Jamie Cudmore 3 — Rod Snow 3 — Luke Tait 2 — 10 players Canada’s Record vs. Each Rugby Playing Nation Argentina — 2-6 Australia — 0-6 Barbados — 1-0 Belgium — 1-0 Chile — 2-0 England — 0-6 Fiji — 3-8 France — 1-7 Georgia — 3-2 Hong Kong — 5-1 Ireland — 0-6-1 Italy — 2-5 Japan — 8-14-2 Namibia — 2-0 New Zealand — 0-5 Portugal — 4-0 Romania — 2-3 Russia — 3-0 Samoa — 0-5 Scotland — 1-3 South Africa — 0-2 Spain — 1-0 Tonga — 5-3 USA — 38-15-1 Uruguay — 7-1 Wales — 1-11 Three Canadians named to World Cup disciplinary team Three Canadians have been named to the 2015 Rugby World Cup disciplinary team ahead of the tournament opener in September. Bruce Kuklinski has been named a citing commissioner, Alan Hudson will act as a judicial officer and Justice Graeme Mew will take the role of appeals officer. “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the upcoming Rugby World Cup and certainly a surprise too to be included as one of eleven Citing Commissioners,” Kuklinski said. “I am very much looking forward to it. I am involved for the first two and a half weeks of the tournament although I don’t know at this stage what games I will be CCing.” Kuklinski, Hudson and Mew will each have specific duties within their roles, outlined as follows in accordance with World Rugby: • Citing Commissioners shall be entitled to cite a Player for any act(s) of Foul Play which on the opinion of the Citing Commissioner warranted the Player concerned being Ordered Off. • A Judicial Officer deals with disciplinary matters when a Player is Ordered Off the playing enclosure (Red Card) or when a Player is cited for an act or acts of Foul Play (Citing). • The final decision of a Judicial Officer may (within specifically designated parameters) be appealed and then further reviewed by an Appeals Officer. This year’s tournament will be Kuklinski’s first World Cup appearance. He began refereeing in Canada in 1990 and in 1995 became a Rugby Canada National Panel Referee. Kuklinski refereed 11 international test matches as well 13 sevens events. In 2013, he was named Rugby Canada’s Match Official of the Year. He completed his citing commissioner course in 2010 and has been appointed to the U20 Junior World Championship, the Americas Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup among other worldwide events. Hudson has previously worked at the Rugby World Cup as well as a number of World Rugby internationals and has been called upon to perform to act as a judicial officer during the British Lions tour of South Africa as well as during international matches in Australia. He has been appointed by the IRB and World Rugby to act in the judicial role at a number of Americas Cups over the past few years as well as the Pacific Nations Cup, numerous HSBC World Sevens Series and Women’s Sevens World Series tournaments and international matches in North America, South America and the Caribbean Nations. Mew will be working his fourth Rugby World Cup and has acted as judicial officer and an appeals officer at a number of previous Rugby World Cups and numerous tournaments and international matches around the world. His international reputation in sport disciplinary matters is well recognized beyond rugby. He has also heard cases as an arbitrator or adjudicator involving match fixing in cricket and numerous doping cases for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Since 2013, Mew has worked as a full-time judge in the Ontario Superior Court. “The 2015 Rugby World Cup will be my fourth World Cup as an appeals officer and I feel very privileged to once again be able to participate as a representative of Canada,” Mew said. “Until this Rugby World Cup I’ve been the only Canadian on the tournament disciplinary team, so this is a real breakthrough and a credit to Rugby Canada’s discipline program in which Bruce and Al have been leading participants under the guidance of Trevor Arnold.” Tyler Ardron Position: No.8 Club: Ospreys DOB: June 16, 1991 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Lakefield, ON Height: 194cm Weight: 112kg Test caps: 20 Test tries: 2 Debut: June 9, 2012 vs. USA Twitter: @tyardron BIO: Ardron currently plays for Ospreys in the Guinness Pro 12 and serves as captain of Canada’s Senior Men’s team ... He signed with Ospreys ahead of the 2013 season. During the 2014-15 season, Ardron played in 23 games scoring two tries. He was named Ospreys player’s player of the year at the end of the season and captained the side during the RBS Six Nations. Earlier in the season, Ardron signed a three-year extension with the club ... Ardron previously captained Canada at the 2012 IRB Americas Rugby Championship, where Canada finished 2nd ... Ardron grew up in Lakefield, Ontario playing rugby for the Brantford Harlequins and received his first Cap for Canada in the summer of 2012 against the United States. Ray Barkwill Position: Hooker Club: Unattached/Ontario Blues DOB: August 26, 1980 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Niagara Falls, ON Height: 180cm Weight: 103kg Test caps: 23 Test tries: 1 Debut: November 9, 2012 vs. Samoa Twitter: @raybarkwill2 BIO: Barkwill grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario playing rugby for the Niagara Wasps RFC of Rugby Ontario’s Senior Men’s League. Barkwill received his first Cap for Canada in the fall of 2012 ... Barkwill was also a member of Canada’s 2012 Americas Rugby Championship side that defeated Uruguay and the United States before losing in the final to Argentina. Barkwill plays for the Ontario Blues of the Canadian Rugby Championship, who won four straight MacTier Cups from 2011-14 ... In 2015, Barkwill played in five test warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup. The 2015 tournament will be his debut at the event. Brett Beukeboom Position: Lock Club: Cornish Pirates DOB: August 13, 1990 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Lindsay, ON Height: 196cm Weight: 111.5kg Test caps: 16 Test tries: 0 Debut: June 9, 2012 vs. USA Twitter: @BrettBeukeboom BIO: Beukeboom started representing Canada at the U-20 Junior World Championship in Japan in 2009 and at the Junior World Trophy in Moscow in 2010. Beukeboom received his first Senior cap on June 9, 2012 against the USA ... Beukeboom previously played for Plymouth Albion of the Championship but will join the Cornish Pirates for the upcoming 2015-16 Championship season. He has played in four warm-up test matches ahead of his first appearance at the Rugby World Cup. Nick Blevins Position: Centre Club: Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack DOB: November 11, 1988 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 187cm Weight: 103kg Test caps: 26 Test tries: 5 Debut: November 15, 2009 vs. Japan Twitter: N/A BIO: Blevins grew up in Calgary, Alberta playing for the Calgary Hornets. Blevins received his first Cap for Canada against Japan in November 2009 ... Blevins was Canada’s joint top try scorer during the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup with two tries ... Blevins was a member of Canada’s side at the 2012 Americas Rugby Championship and scored his first try with the Senior Men’s National team against Russia in the fall of 2012. Blevins is also a member of the Prairie Wolf Pack of the Canadian Rugby Championship and helped them win their first ever CRC title in 2015. Blevins scored three tries in three games earlier in the summer becoming just the 12th player to do that in Canadian test history. Connor Braid Position: Centre Club: Unattached/BC Bears DOB: May 31, 1990 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Victoria, BC Height: 185cm Weight: 98.4kg Test caps: 18 Test tries: 2 Debut: November 6, 2010 vs. Belgium Twitter: @ConnorBraid BIO: Braid’s hard-working and reliable style has made him a regular in both the fifteens and sevens teams. The 24-year-old also represented Canada at 2012’s Americas Rugby Championship and led the squad in the points scoring chart in that tournament. Braid was part of Canada’s 2013-14 IRB World Sevens Series squad that enjoyed a record-breaking season where he played mostly in the pack. Braid’s highlight of 201314 came during the Sevens Series in Las Vegas when he was a key figure in Canada’s come-from-behind victory against Samoa, which sealed a third place finish. As well as featuring regularly on the Sevens World Series in recent events, Braid also played in the 2014 Commonwealth Games tournament. Braid appeared in the final event of the 2014-15 season in London ... Braid signed with the Glasgow Warriors in August ahead of the 2014-15 season but saw limited playing time and was sent to London Scottish for the remainder of the season in December. However, he returned to Glasgow as cover during the Six Nations making seven appearances for the Warriors and kicking four conversions and a penalty and was part of the squad that won the Pro 12 Final. Braid will leave Glasgow at season’s end and is currently searching for a new team. Hubert Buydens Position: Prop Club: Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack DOB: January 4, 1982 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Saskatoon, SK Height: 191cm Weight: 123.5kg Test caps: 36 Test tries: 0 Debut: June 10, 2006 vs. England A Twitter: N/A BIO: The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Buydens plays for the Prairie Wolf Pack of the Canadian Rugby Championship, helping them win the 2015 title, and previously Manawatu of the New Zealand ITM Cup ... Buydens is a former university football player who enjoyed success as an offensive lineman, ultimately earning a tryout with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League ... Rugby eventually won out, with him going on to represent Canada, making his debut against Barbados in the 2006 Rugby World Cup qualifier and since then, he has been a mainstay in Canada’s squad ... He was a member of Canada’s 2011 World Cup roster and has played in all seven test matches in 2015 ahead of this year’s tournament. Aaron Carpenter Position: Hooker Club: Cornish Pirates DOB: January 9, 1983 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Brantford, ON Height: 183cm Weight: 110kg Test caps: 68 Test tries: 14 Debut: May 25, 2005 vs. USA Twitter: @Carpatron BIO: Carpenter grew up in Brantford, Ontario and received his first Cap for Canada at the Toshiba Super Cup against the United States in 2005. His first try for the Men’s National team came against England at the 2005 Churchill Cup ... Carpenter has represented Canada at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups. After spending three seasons with Plymouth Albion of the RFU Championship, Carpenter signed a contract with league rival the Cornish Pirates for the 2013-14 season. He was Canada’s joint top scorer during the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup with two tries. He has played in all eight test matches in 2015 and is Canada’s second most capped player ever. Jamie Cudmore Position: Lock Club: Clermont DOB: September 6, 1978 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Squamish, BC Height: 196cm Weight: 118kg Test caps: 36 Test tries: 2 Debut: July 13, 2002 vs. USA Twitter: @JNCudmore BIO: Cudmore grew up in Squamish, British Columbia. Cudmore received his first Cap for Canada at a 2002 World Cup qualifying match against the United States. Cudmore has played in three consecutive World Cups, being named to Canada’s squad for the 2003, 2007 and 2011 editions. Cudmore scored his first try for the Men’s National team against the United States at the 2004 Churchill Cup ... Since 2005, Cudmore has played for ASM Clermont Auvergne of the Top 14 in France and helped his side advance to the 2014-15 Champions Cup Final and the Top 14 Final. He also played in four straight Top 14 Finals from 2007-10, including victory in 2010 and played in the 2013 Heineken Cup Final. Nanyak Dala Position: Flanker Club: Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack DOB: June 18, 1984 Place of birth: Nigeria Hometown: Saskatoon, SK Height: 178cm Weight: 98.9kg Test caps: 34 Test tries: 4 Debut: June 2, 2007 vs. USA Twitter: @Yakbutt BIO: Dala is a veteran of both the National Fifteens and Sevens team. Originally born in Nigeria, Dala moved to South Africa with his family and took up rugby at age 12. Eventually Dala would go on to represent KwaZulu-Natal provincial teams at various age-grade levels before he and his family would eventually move to the city of North Battleford in Canada where his father sought opportunities in the medical field ... Dala grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing for the Saskatoon Wild Oats. Dala has featured more prominently in the Sevens squad as he captained the team in 2012-13 when they retained their core status. During the 2013-14 season he played in the opening seven legs of the series and formed a formidable forward trio alongside John Moonlight and Connor Braid which was a key component in helping Canada achieve their best ever season finish of sixth place ... Dala also played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. After missing time with injury, Dala returned to the international fold in Canada’s final match of the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup. Matt Evans Position: Wing/Fullback Club: Cornish Pirates DOB: January 2, 1988 Place of birth: England Hometown: Salisbury, England Height: 183cm Weight: 93.5kg Test caps: 30 Test tries: 7 Debut: November 8, 2008 vs. Ireland Twitter: @MattEvans_88 BIO: Evans plays professionally in England for the Cornish Pirates of the Championship. The 27-year-old played 13 games this past season scoring six tries and adding a drop goal. Evans was a member of the 2011 World Cup squad ... Evans made his return to the sevens squad for the final tournament of the 2014-15 season at the London Sevens, marking an end to a three-year hiatus ... Evans made his international debut for Canada at the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship as a member of Canada’s Under 20 National team. In 2015, Evans played in the first three Pacific Nations Cup matches as well as tests against the USA and Georgia. Kyle Gilmour Position: Flanker Club: Rotherham Titans DOB: January 26, 1988 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: St. Albert, AB Height: 185cm Weight: 102.5kg Test caps: 12 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 23, 2013 vs. Portugal Twitter: @GilmourKy BIO: Gilmour earned his first Canadian team appearance vs. New Zealand Maori on November 3, 2013 but collected his first Cap vs. Portugal in November, 2013, coming on as a replacement in the second half ... Gilmour captained the Prairie Wolf Pack to their first ever Canadian Rugby Championship in 2015 ... In June, 2015, Gilmour signed a one-year deal with the Rotherham Titans of the RFU Championship. After missing out on selection in Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup opener against Japan, Gilmour has gone to appear in all six test matches leading into the World Cup. Jeff Hassler Position: Wing Club: Ospreys DOB: August 21, 1991 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Okotoks, AB Height: 183cm Weight: 95.5kg Test caps: 16 Test tries: 3 Debut: June 9, 2012 vs. USA Twitter: @Jeff_Hassler BIO: Hassler currently plays for the Ospreys of the Guinness Pro 12. A former running back for the University of Saskatchewan, Hassler received his first Cap for Canada in the summer of 2012 against the United States. Hassler grew up in Okotoks, Alberta playing for Okotoks RFC ... Hassler was signed by the Ospreys in the summer of 2013 and had an immediate impact scoring seven tries in the 2013-2014 season. Hassler’s offensive prowess didn’t go unnoticed as he was named to the RaboDirect Pro 12 dream team for the 2013-2014 season ... During the 2014-15 season, Hassler battled a left knee ligament injury limiting him to just 11 games. However, he managed to score six tries. Hassler was named Rugby Canada’s Male Player of the Year for 2014. Ciaran Hearn Position: Centre Club: Unattached/Atlantic Rock DOB: December 30, 1985 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Conception Bay South, NL Height: 190cm Weight: 98kg Test caps: 46 Test tries: 6 Debut: November 8, 2008 vs. Ireland Twitter: @Hearnia9 BIO: Hearn is a crucial member of the sevens squad, as well as the fifteens team. Hearn played in six sevens tournaments during the 2013-14 season and followed that up with three appearances this past season. His kicking restarts have been dubbed one of the best on the World Series circuit due to the soaring height he sends the ball to offer his chasing teammates good time to contest for possession ... Hearn made his test debut in November 2008 against Ireland and scored his first try against the USA in 2012 ... He was a member of the 2011 World Cup squad and is ranked inside the top 20 for test appearances by a Canadian player. Nathan Hirayama Position: Fly half Club: UVic Vikes/BC Bears DOB: March 23, 1988 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Richmond, BC Height: 183cm Weight: 91.2kg Test caps: 20 Test tries: 1 Debut: November 1, 2008 vs. Portugal Twitter: @NHirayama10 BIO: Hirayama has been a mainstay for Canada Sevens since making his series debut in 2006 at the age of 18. Since then he has built a global reputation as one the top playmakers in the game as his cool persona and style on the field lulls defenses into feeling they have him in check before he either breaks the line or creates for others ... Hirayama was one of the standout performers in 2012-13 as he racked up the third most points on the series with 241.Hirayama went on to top the points list at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow as his excellent performances that campaign earned him the captaincy in 2013/14. However, an injury plagued season led to Hirayama missing five of the nine tournaments, which meant he could not repeat or better the outstanding showings he displayed the previous year. Hirayama featured in the final two tournaments of the 2014-15 season ... He represented Canada at the 2011 World Cup. Jake Ilnicki Position: Prop Club: Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears DOB: February 24, 1992 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Williams Lake, BC Height: 190cm Weight: 119kg Test caps: 8 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 9, 2013 vs. Georgia Twitter: @Ilnix BIO: Ilnicki participated in the 2013 Americas Rugby Championship for Canada A and then won his first Canada appearance vs the New Zealand Maori on November 3rd, 2013 ... Ilnicki got his first official cap against Georgia in November 2013 as a replacement for Andrew Tiedemann in the second half ... Ilnicki was recalled to the national side for Canada’s final 2015 Pacific Nations Cup match against the USA after which he returned to Australia to play for the NSW Country Eagles. However, he was again recalled to the 2015 World Cup squad and played 70 minutes against Fiji after arriving in England less than 48 hours earlier. Harry Jones Position: Fullback Club: Capilano RFC/BC Bears DOB: August 26, 1989 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: West Vancouver, BC Height: 185cm Weight: 92.7kg Test caps: 17 Test tries: 5 Debut: November 12, 2012 vs. Russia Twitter: @JonesHarry3 BIO: Jones captained Canada’s team at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan. He also competed for Canada at the Under 17 and Under 19 levels whilst also playing in the Canadian Rugby Championship for the BC Bears.Jones though is a stalwart on Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team and played in all nine tournaments during the 2013-14 season before competing at the Commonwealth Games. In the 2014-15 season, Jones played in seven legs and was Canada’s top point scorer with 191. He helped the team win gold at the 2015 Pan-Am Games ... Jones made his senior test debut in 2012 against Russia and scored his first try against Fiji in 2013. Phil Mack Position: Scrum half Club: James Bay AA/BC Bears DOB: September 18, 1985 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Victoria, BC Height: 170cm Weight: 82.9kg Test caps: 28 Test tries: 1 Debut: May 23, 2009 vs. Ireland Twitter: @phillymack07 BIO: Mack has been one of the most reliable members of Canada’s sevens side over the past few seasons and played an integral role in the team’s best ever series finish in 2013-14, a campaign that saw him honoured in the HSBC IRB World Series ‘Dream Team’ alongside fellow countryman John Moonlight. Mack is Canada’s most capped sevens player and previously represented Canada at the U19 and U21 level. During the 2014-15 season, Mack played in just two tournaments ... Mack made his test debut in 2009 against Ireland in Vancouver. The 2015 World Cup will be his debut at the tournament after playing in six of Canada’s seven test matches so far this year. Jamie Mackenzie Position: Scrum half Club: Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues DOB: February 28, 1989 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Oakville, ON Height: 175cm Weight: 92.7kg Test caps: 7 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 6, 2010 vs. Belgium Twitter: @jmackerdoo BIO: Mackenzie, the younger brother of Phil, made his test debut in 2010 against Belgium ... Mackenzie, a scrum-half who previously played his rugby for Esher in the RFU Championship, has seen his stock on the rise in the past couple of seasons. Mobile around the back of the ruck this Ontario Blues product saw success with Canada’s U20 team at the 2009 Junior World Trophy ... After a nearly two-year absence from the senior side, Mackenzie returned to the fold this year and started in test matches against the USA and Georgia. Phil Mackenzie Position: Wing Club: Sale Sharks DOB: February 25, 1987 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Oakville, ON Height: 185cm Weight: 99.2kg Test caps: 27 Test tries: 5 Debut: November 1, 2008 vs. Portugal Twitter: @Phister13 BIO: Mackenzie, the older brother of Jamie, made his test debut in 2008 against Portugal and scored his first try against the USA in 2011. Mackenzie was a member of the 2011 World Cup squad, playing in all four games ... Mackenzie grew up in Oakville, Ontario and represented Canada at the Under 19 World Cup ... He represented Canada ‘A’ earlier in 2015 when he played in the Pacific Challenge Cup in Fiji ... Mackenzie has played for the Sale Sharks in the Premiership since 2013. Mackenzie scored his fifth test try against Samoa during the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup. Gordon McRorie Position: Scrum half Club: Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack DOB: May 2, 1988 Place of birth: Scotland Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 175cm Weight: 79.6kg Test caps: 13 Test tries: 0 Debut: June 7, 2014 vs. Japan Twitter: @GordyMcRorie BIO: McRorie, from Scotland, qualified through Canadian residency following three seasons of Canadian Rugby Championship play with the Prairie Wolf Pack ... He helped the Wolf Pack win their first CRC title in 2015 after being the tournament’s top point-scorer ... McRorie played his formative rugby in the Scottish premier divisions, mostly at Stirling County ... He made his test debut for Canada in June 2014 against Japan. During Canada’s seven Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, McRorie was the top point scorer. John Moonlight Position: Flanker Club: Ajax Wanderers/Ontario Blues DOB: July 2, 1987 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Pickering, ON Height: 184cm Weight: 102.6kg Test caps: 21 Test tries: 3 Debut: June 6, 2009 vs. Georgia Twitter: @JMoonlight12 BIO: Moonlight is Canada’s sevens captain and has been a stalwart on Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team for years. He helped secure Canada’s core status for the 2013-2014 season and followed that up with an impressive season when Canada claimed a sixth place finish during the 2013-14 season standings where he was named to the season’s ‘Dream Team’ ... Moonlight has been named Canada’s Sevens Player of the Year for four straight years and appeared at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. During the 2014-15 season, Moonlight took part in all nine legs of the Sevens Series. He captained Canada to gold at the 2015 Pan Am Games ... Moonlight made his senior debut in 2009 and scored his first international try in his second game against Georgia that same year. Evan Olmstead Position: Lock Club: Parramatta Two Blues DOB: February 1, 1991 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Sydney, Australia Height: 198cm Weight: 114kg Test caps: 5 Test tries: 0 Debut: July 29, 2015 vs. Samoa Twitter: @EvanOlmstead21 BIO: Olmstead was born in North Vancouver but moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was three ... He has suited up for Canada’s U20 side and currently plays for Parramatta Two Blues in Sydney’s Shute Field, the premier grade rugby trophy in NSW. He was also selected to the NRU’s 2015 Greater Sydney Rams roster. Olmstead continues to live in Sydney ... He played for Canada ‘A’ earlier in 2015 at the Pacific Challenge Cup in Fiji ... He made his test debut earlier this year against Samoa after a standout training camp forced his way on to the Pacific Nations Cup roster. Benoit Piffero Position: Hooker Club: Unattached DOB: May 21, 1987 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Montreal, QC Height: 183cm Weight: 104kg Test caps: 10 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 9, 2013 vs. Georgia Twitter: @BenPif BIO: Benoit won his first cap coming on as a replacement for Ray Barkwill vs. Georgia on November 9th, 2013 ... He has previously played for the Atlantic Rock in the Canadian Rugby Championship as well as St. Anne de Bellevue and Burnaby Lake RC ... He spent the 2014-15 season playing for Blagnac Sporting Club Rugby, who play in the top French amateur league. During the 2014-15 season he made 13 appearances scoring one try ... After playing just one test match in 2014, Piffero has appeared in five of Canada’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches. James Pritchard Position: Fullback Club: Bedford Blues DOB: July 21, 1979 Place of birth: Australia Hometown: Parkes, NSW, Australia Height: 178cm Weight: 85kg Test caps: 61 Test tries: 18 Debut: July 26, 2003 vs. New Zealand Maori Twitter: @jpritchard21 BIO: Pritchard grew up in Parkes, New South Wales. Pritchard earned his first Cap for Canada against the New Zealand Maori during the Maori’s 2003 summer tour. Pritchard played for Canada at the 2003, 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups. His 607 points are the most ever by a Canadian in test rugby ... He has been named Bedford’s player of the year three times and in 2011 became the first player in Bedford Blues history to score more than 400 points in a season in their 125 year history ... He has also had spells with Plymouth Albion, Perpignan and the Northampton Saints. Djustice Sears-Duru Position: Prop Club: Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues DOB: May 24, 1994 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Oakville, ON Height: 185cm Weight: 122.6kg Test caps: 9 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 23, 2013 vs. Portugal Twitter: @DjSD1 BIO: Sears-Duru made his test debut in November, 2013, against Portugal ... After a nearly two years absence from the senior team, where Sears-Duru recovered from injuries including a broken ankle, he made his second test appearance in Canada’s 2015 Pacific Nations Cup clash against Japan ... Sears-Duru was one of only five players to play in all four games of Canada’s 2015 PNC campaign and played in all seven Rugby World Cup warm-up games... A graduate of Canada’s age grade rugby programs from U17 through to U20, Sears-Duru has also been a solid performer as a member of the Leicester Tigers Academy in England. Jebb Sinclair Position: Lock Club: London Irish DOB: April 8, 1986 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Fredericton, NB Height: 193cm Weight: 115.9kg Test caps: 40 Test tries: 2 Debut: November 1, 2008 vs. Portugal Twitter: @JebbSinclair BIO: Sinclair continues to impress since his break out season in 2011 that saw him catch a lot of attention at the World Cup and win a contract at London Irish and then in 2012, on loan with the DHL Stormers of South African Super Rugby ... In 2012 Sinclair won the Currie Cup with the Western Province before returning to England. He became only the second Canadian ever to win the Currie Cup ... Sinclair grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick playing for the Fredericton Loyalists of New Brunswick’s Senior Men’s league. Sinclair received his first Cap for Canada against Portugal during a tour of Europe in November 2008. Sinclair was named to Canada’s roster for the 2011 World Cup scoring one try in four games. Richard Thorpe Position: Back row Club: London Welsh DOB: January 11, 1984 Place of birth: England Hometown: Beckenham, England Height: 185cm Weight: 105.2kg Test caps: 7 Test tries: 0 Debut: November 14, 2014 vs. Samoa Twitter: @RichardJAThorpe BIO: Thorpe currently plys his trade for London Welsh who endured a difficult campaign last season as they were relegated back to the RFU Championship. Thorpe played in 12 games for Welsh and is under contract for the 2015-16 season ... He previously played for the Leicester Tigers during the 2012-13 season and has also spent time with Saracens and London Irish beforehand ... Thorpe made his test debut in November 2014 and has been a mainstay in the Canadian squad since ... He also played for England at the U16, U19 and U21 level. Andrew Tiedemann Position: Prop Club: Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack DOB: January 11, 1984 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: St. Albert, AB Height: 183cm Weight: 119.7kg Test caps: 36 Test tries: 1 Debut: May 30, 2009 vs. Wales Twitter: @AndrewTiedemann BIO: Tiedemann grew up in St. Albert, Alberta playing for the Prairie Wolf Pack of the Canadian Rugby Championship and helped them win the 2015 CRC title for the first time in team history. Tiedemann received his first Cap for Canada against Wales during the summer of 2009. On his 35th appearance, Tiedemann scored his first test try against Georgia. Tiedemann represented Canada at the U20 level during the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship ... After being named to three consecutive Churchill Cup rosters between 2009 and 2011, Tiedemann was selected to Canada’s roster at the 2011 World Cup ... In the fall of 2012, Tiedemann signed a contract with FC AuchGers of France’s Rugby Pro D2. Conor Trainor Position: Centre Club: UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears DOB: December 5, 1989 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Vancouver, BC Height: 185cm Weight: 100kg Test caps: 19 Test tries: 6 Debut: June 8, 2011 vs. Russia Twitter: @conort22 BIO: Trainor is a permanent fixture on the Sevens circuit but has successfully transitioned to the fifteens game. He made his test debut in June 2011 against Russia and scored his first test try in the same match. He was a member of the 2011 World Cup squad ...Trainor played for the under-20s on tours to Wales and Japan before making his sevens debut. He was a member of the 2014 Commonwealth Games team. During the 2014-15 season, Trainor played in all nine events ... He learned his rugby while attending St. George’s School, a boarding school in Vancouver known for its sports programs. He has played rugby at the high school, university, provincial and national level. For his province of British Columbia, Trainor has strapped on the boots for the U16 and U18 representative sides. DTH Van Der Merwe Position: Wing Club: Scarlets DOB: April 28, 1986 Place of birth: South Africa Hometown: Regina, SK Height: 183cm Weight: 101kg Test caps: 36 Test tries: 17 Debut: June 24, 2006 vs. Barbados Twitter: @DTHVDM BIO: van der Merwe just completed a six-year spell with the Glasgow Warriors as he will join Scarlets next season. However, he left on top as he helped guide Glasgow to their first ever Guinness Pro 12 title where he scored in the final. Van Der Merwe is Glasgow’s all-time leading try scorer with 43 ... Daniel Taillifer Hauman (DTH) Van der Merwe grew up in South Africa but immigrated to Regina, Saskatchewan in 2003. Van der Merwe received his first Cap for Canada against Barbados during a World Cup Qualifier in the summer of 2006. van der Merwe was named to Canada’s roster for the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, starting all of Canada’s matches and scoring two tries. After scoring two tries against Fiji in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match, van der Merwe moved into third place on Canada’s all-time try scoring list. Doug Wooldridge Position: Prop Club: Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues DOB: December 19, 1985 Place of birth: Canada Hometown: Lindsay, ON Height: 180cm Weight: 128kg Test caps: 20 Test tries: 0 Debut: May 23, 2009 vs. Ireland Twitter: @doug_wooldridge BIO: Wooldridge grew up in Lindsay, Ontario playing rugby for Lindsay Rugby Football Club. Wooldridge received his first Cap for Canada against Ireland during the summer of 2009. Wooldridge was selected to Canada’s side at the 2009 and 2010 Churchill Cup in addition to the 2012 Americas Rugby Championship. Wooldridge has also represented the Ontario Blues of the Canadian Rugby Championship, helping them win four straight MacTier Cups. Wooldridge appeared in all four of Canada’s 2015 Pacific Nations Cup matches. Kieran Crowley - Head Coach BIO: Crowley has been Canada’s Senior Men’s head coach since 2008. Crowley began coaching in 1993 and went on to coach professionally at Taranaki of New Zealand’s Provincial Competition spending four years as assistant coach and another five as head coach. He also spent time as an All Black Selector and in 2007 he guided the New Zealand U19 team to a world championship at the IRB tournament in Belfast. As a player, Crowley played 200 games for Taranaki and also won 19 caps for New Zealand, scoring 105 points and was a member of their 1987 World Cup winning team. Leo Crowley - Assistant Coach BIO: Crowley has been an assistant coach with Taranaki since 2010. During that time he helped the team win the Ranfurly Shield and last season helped guide the team to their first ITM Cup win. Crowley also acts as an assistant coach the Chiefs Development Squad in New Zealand. After the World Cup, Crowley will head to Australia to join the Melbourne Rebels of Super Rugby as an assistant coach. Neil Barnes - Forwards Coach BIO: Barnes has been an assistant coach with Canada for six years. He previously worked with the New Zealand U17, U18 and U20 teams and was also involved in the selection of New Zealand’s national age-grade teams. He also previously spent six years as an assistant coach with Taranaki. After the World Cup, Barnes will return to his native New Zealand to take the role of assistant coach with the Chiefs of Super Rugby. Mike Shelley - Scrum Coach BIO: Shelley has been a fixture in Canadian rugby since 2006 when he was head coach of the Calgary Saints before coaching the Canadian Rugby Championship side Prairie Wolf Pack. Shelley is also the former men’s U20 head coach and director of U20 rugby for Canada. Shelley made over 200 appearances for the Leeds Tykes between 1996-2006. Gareth Rees - Team Manager BIO: Rees has a long and notable resume when it comes to his experience in the rugby community. Along with his accomplishments on the field as a player, working in a leadership role through various Rugby Canada programs for over 25 years, Gareth also held the position of CEO of Rugby Canada from 20022004. From competing as an age grade player, to becoming a national team player, professional, player’s board representative, U21 National Coach, professional coach and player agent, Gareth has an extremely well rounded background. He played professionally for several British clubs including the London Wasps as well as the Harlequins FC in England. Rees was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2011 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Andy Evans - Strength and Conditioning Coach BIO: Evans played scrum half with Douglas and United Rugby Clubs in New Westminster, BC prior to competing in Weightlifting and Powerlifting. While studying a Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBC, Evans became a specialist in Strength and Power development and his first involvement with Rugby Canada was in 2010 before the 2011 RWC. He began leading the men’s Strength & Conditioning in 2013. Andy lives in Metchosin, BC with his wife and their four children. Graeme Moffat - Skills Coach BIO: Graeme is the Head Coach of Prairie Wolf Pack in the Canadian Rugby Championship, 2015 winners of MacTier Cup. He is a former Canada Americas Rugby Championship and U-20 Assistant Coach. Graeme currently lives in Calgary with wife Tara and daughter Isla with a second child due in four weeks time. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Graeme studied sports coaching and played rugby for Currie Rugby Club and played National age-grade for Scotland. He moved to Canada in 2010 and is the Director of Rugby for Rugby Alberta. Danielle Mah - Physiotherapist BIO: Danielle graduated in Physiotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and has worked with the Football Association of Ireland for four years as a physiotherapist. She has also worked as the lead physiotherapist for Bective Rangers Rugby Club in Dublin for four years. Danielle is originally from Vancouver but now lives in Victoria. She graduated from UBC and has worked full time for Rugby Canada since 2013. Bryan Kelly - Manager, Communications BIO: Bryan graduated from Royal Roads University on Vancouver Island. He previously worked as a Social Media and Communications Intern with the Edmonton Oilers, Victoria Salmon Kings & Rugby Canada. He previously was the play-by-play voice for the Saanich Braves Jr. B Hockey Team for three seasons. Bryan currently plays club rugby in Victoria with James Bay Athletic Association. Alana Gattinger - Manager, Team Services BIO: Alana grew up in Whitby, Ontario but now lives in Victoria working out of Rugby Canada’s Centre of Excellence. She attended the University of Ottawa and graduated with a Masters in Sport Management. Alana has worked for Rugby Canada in various positions since 2012 including Manager of Competitions, Team Services and Events. She volunteered at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as part of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Calum Ramsay - Analyst BIO: Calum was born in Kingston but raised in London, Ontario. He joined Rugby Canada as an analyst in 2010 and worked at 2011 Rugby World Cup. He graduated Queen’s University in Mechanical Engineering in 2010 and has played for Queen’s University in Kingston and University of Canterbury in Christchurch and London St. George’s RFC. Mike Cook - Therapist BIO: Mike attended Sheradon College for Athletic Therapy and the Canadian Therapuetic College for Massage Therapy as well as the College of International Holistic Medicine. He has a Doctorate of Acupuncture. Originally from Burlington, Mike now lives in Ancaster with wife Rosa and daughter Alessia. Mike is the clinic owner and operator of Progressive Sports Medicine, Total Health Link Burlington, Elite Performance Centres and In-Touch Medical. He worked with CFL’s Montreal Allouetes as Assistant Therapist during their run to the 2006 Grey Cup. Also acts as head Therapist for the Ontario Blues in Canadian Rugby Championship for 4 years. Peet du Toit - Team Doctor BIO: Peet is a Sport and Exercise Physician based in Maple Ridge,BC. He completed his medical degree - MBChB from the University of the Orange Free State in South Africa, and Masters degree in Sports Medicine from the University of London, UK. He is a current member of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, designationMFSEM(UK) and member of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine(CASEM).Peet has been involved with rugby as a team physician for the past 20 years, including WASPS(UK),London and South East division U/21(UK),University of Johannesburg(RAU),Canadian National Men’s Teams for 10 years.Some other highlights include: team physician of the South African National Cricket team, London Marathon,African Cup Hockey tournament,All African games(track and field),FIFA u/21 Soccer World cup(Canada), Vancouver Winter Olympics. Peet is married to Zabeth and has 3 sons. Paul Watson - Chief Medical Officer BIO: Born and raised in New Westminster, Paul now lives in Duncan with his wife and has two children, Evan and Emily. He was educated at Brentwood College and has a Bachelor of Science from UBC in Zoology. As well as Medicine. Paul also has a Diploma in Sports Medicine from Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine. He has been a family physician for 32 years in Duncan and the Chief Medical Officer for Rugby Canada since 2008. He has also worked at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Paul is a Board Member of the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine Kim Mark-Goldsworthy - Therapist BIO: Kim has a Phys Ed Degree from Brock University and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is originally from Cambridge, Ontario but is currently living in Victoria with her husband and two daughters. She also work with Victoria Royals of WHL and worked at the 2012 Olympics in London as part of Canadian Core Medical Staff and the 2007 Pan Am Games as part of the Canadian Core Medical Staff. She is on the Executive Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association and is one of seven Certified Sports Massage Therapist in British Columbia. Carla Brash - Therapist BIO: Carla graduated with honors from the Sports Injury Management Program at Sheridan College. She is an experienced therapist with extensive knowledge in manual therapy and sport biomechanics. She resides in Kingston, Ontario where her well established business the Kingston Athletic Therapy Centre is based out of. She has been working with various rugby clubs since 2003 and with the Canadian senior men’s team since 2008. Ed Spokes BIO: Born in Northamptonshire, England, Ed currently lives in Epsom, Surrey, England with wife Sara. He graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a Degree in Sports Science in 2001 and has worked as Head Of Analysis at Harlequins RFC in Twickenham since 2003 and was a member of their European Challenge Cup winners team in 2004 and 2011 as well as Premiership Winners (2012) and LV=Cup Winners (2013) Jeremy Jakobsze - Massage Therapist BIO: Jeremy learned to play rugby with the Colonials RFC in Trail, BC. After moving to New Westminster, BC to attend school at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT), he played for the United RFC in Coquitlam, BC when they won their first Provincial Division 1+2 championship in 2011. After Jeremy’s clinical practice as an RMT had become quite busy he decided to temporarily hang up his rugby boots. He then taught at WCCMT and coached the 2013 Maple Ridge Bruins Women’s Div 2 team to an Undefeated season, most points scored and their first provincial final in years. Since then, Jeremy has been providing massage therapy for Team Canada during the Pacific Nations Cup (2014, 2015). The 2015 Rugby World Cup will be his first experience traveling with Team Canada. Jeremy currently lives and practices in Maple Ridge, BC with his wife Sarah. Rugby Canada Staff Abdelnour, Nathan — Manager, Match Official Development Brown, Graham — Chief Executive Officer Charron, Al — Manager, Player Advancement and Alumni Relations Clarance, Conor — Coordinator, Brands and Promotions Dixon, Jim — General Manager, Rugby Operations and Performance Drake, Maralee — Coordinator, Merchandising Ferreira, Carlos — Director, Events and Competitions Fiorino, Sandro — Assistant Coach, National Women’s Program Gattinger, Alana — Manager, Team Services Gillam, Alexandra — Coordinator, Marketing Services and Administration Goodale, Tyler — Women’s, Strength and Conditioning Coach Goodland, Ken — Coordinator, National Player Development and Talent ID Hopkins, Dustin — Manager, National Development Howat, Meaghan — Manager, National Women’s Program Hunter, Paul — Manager, Coach Development Kelly, Bryan — Manager, Media and Communications Kroll, Penny — Manager, Business Development Lemmon, Mark — Chief Marketing Officer MacDougall, Neil — Coordinator, Member Relations Mah, Danielle — Physiotherapist, National Senior Men’s Sevens Team Middleton, Liam — Head Coach, National Senior Men’s Sevens Team Morris, Callum — Performance Analyst, National Senior Women’s Team Nguyen, Linh — Chief Financial Officer Ortiz-Luis, Marianne, Coordinator, Accounts Payable Ramsay, Calum — National Program Performance Analyst Ratier, Francois — Head Coach, National Senior Women’s Team Reeves, Shawn — Coordinator, Coorperate Partnerships Scirova, Nina — Coordinator, Finance Smart, Jennifer — Manager, Events Spencer, Myles — Chief Operating Officer Tait, John — Head Coach, National Senior Women’s Sevens Team Thorne, Michael — Manager, Commerical Sales Tidcombe, Matt — Coordinator, Communications Travis, Jason — Director, Marketing and Communications Rugby Canada Sponsors & Partners Rugby Canada Sponsors & Partners Rugby Canada Sponsors & Partners Rugby Canada Sponsors & Partners