Riordan: Canada skipper
Canada have become the first team to officially confirm their 30-man squad for this year's Rugby World Cup.
Coach Kieran Crowley has announced a squad that contains a good mix of youth and experience, with 18-year-old Taylor Paris the youngest member of the outfit and 35-year-old Frank Walsh topping the charts at the other end of the scale.
The squad contains eleven players who did duty in the 2007 edition of the competition.
"It's been an exhaustive process that we really started three years ago," explained Crowley.
"We used everything at our disposal to get where we have and it's probably the first time since I've been here that we've been able to take Canada's best team.
"A lot of these players will be available for the next World Cup.
"Youth brings excitement, but you've also got to have that experience in the squad. We're pretty happy with the balance we've found."
The men from North America will turn out in Pool A with New Zealand, France, Japan and Tonga.
Canada squad:
Forwards: Ryan Hamilton, Pat Riordan (captain), Hubert Buydens, Scott Franklin, Jason Marshall, Andrew Tiedemann, Frank Walsh, Jamie Cudmore, Brian Erichsen, Tyler Hotson, Aaron Carpenter, Nanyak Dala, Adam Kleeberger, Jeremy Kyne, Chauncey O'Toole, Jebb Sinclair.
Backs: Ed Fairhurst, Jamie Mackenzie, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama, Ander Monro, Ryan Smith, Conor Trainor, Phil Mackenzie, Mike Scholz, DTH van der Merwe, Ciaran Hearn, Taylor Paris, Matt Evans, James Pritchard.
Comments
excitationz says...
Canada will tough it out vs. France and NZ (hopefully keep score-lines respectable, 20-25 or so).
Japan? THAT will be the real test of this WC for Canada... since the 12 all tie last time 'round,
it's going to be a war no question - technical war vs. Japan, physical war vs. Tonga, can't wait.
Posted 10:05 12th July 2011
AshleyMorton says...
I am truly excited to see Frank Walsh finally getting the call. Aside from the simple fact that he's a good guy and seldom (if ever) gets beaten in a one-on-one competition, he exemplifies rugby the way it was meant to be played - hard, physical, social, amateur, and with a good dose of volunteerism. He lives where he's from, has a real job too, and is always ready to help out somebody who wants to learn the game. He was my coach (as a player/coach) while I was with his club, he coached high school girls with my wife, and the Vandals RFC is immensely better for his talents and his loyalty.
Good on ya, Frank - we'll be there to support you and the rest of the boys in red in two months!
Posted 16:24 09th July 2011
5Lock4ward says...
Interesting to see Mensah-Coker left out.
Posted 06:04 09th July 2011
Kawasakifreak says...
I hope Canada keep improving & beat Tonga & Japan in RWC.
Posted 18:46 08th July 2011