‘I always felt welcome in the Canadian system, more so than the American’ Ethan Fryer

One of the bright lights in an exciting new generation of Canadian Rugby players, Ethan Fryer, is one of many players looking to use the 2024 Asahi Pacific Nations Cup as a springboard to bigger things with his national team.

Fryer Spoke to RugbyPass about his rugby journey to date and his ambitions for Canadian rugby in the short and long term.

Focusing on where it all began, Fryer discussed his upbringing in the United States’ North West and his dual allegiances to the Star-Spangled Banner and the Maple Leaf.

“I started because my friend played, and then he pushed me off in that direction, so I started at maybe eleven and just kept playing since then.

“I started playing where I grew up near Seattle, Washington, and my Dad is Canadian, so that’s how I am eligible.”

Finding himself in the same position as other players with dual nationality, Fryer represented both nations throughout the age group division. Swaying back and forth between the two nations, Fryer ultimately made his decision based on a myriad of factors.

“I did a bit of training in the American system when I was in the younger age groups, but I didn’t really like a lot of it.

“But with Canadian rugby for a long time has been in BC (the Canadian Rugby HQ, I knew a lot of those coaches just from going up to play and felt a bit more welcome there.

“I made the decision around U18s because I played sevens for America and 15s for Canada.

“I was talking to the U20 coach at the time, Adam Roberts, and he had such a big influence on me growing up. I’ve known him since maybe 13, and he just shuffled me along.’

“I always felt welcome in the Canadian system, more so than the American, and it’s just it’s cool for my dad to be able to see because when you move to America, and you’re thinking it’d be cool to have your kid go back and play for the country that you grew up in.”

Now firmly in Canadian camp, Fryer is one of a handful of young players already making their mark on the squad and with whom Canada’s Rugby World Cup ambitions ultimately lie. Given he has spent the bulk of the summer in the Canadian set-up, Fryer has a strong sense of what makes his team tick and what will ultimately be the hallmark of their run through this year’s PNC.

“I’d say our strength is the guys coming through. We have an experienced leadership group, but then a lot of the young guys coming up are just so talented, like the (McMullin) twins and James Stockwood. We have got a lot of guys coming up, too, that haven’t played much yet but are really pushing it, so once we start to work more of them in, I think we will have the perfect blend for longevity, and I think we can start winning games now.”

Playing a key role in the New England Free Jacks’ run to the 2024 MLR title, the 22-year-old Seattle-born backrow knows what a winning environment feels like.

“So many of the Canadian guys are in that Free Jacks (MLR Champions) squad so just being able to roll right into camp with those same players that you know is huge.

“Just being on a winning team and in that winning culture, you get used to it, and then you can bring some of that belief into the squad.

“I think that belief is going to be huge for us coming in, and I think we won the Romania game based on belief.

“We came in, and even when there were some shaky moments, we knew we were going to pull it through.

“I haven’t been around the team that long, so I can’t say that’s what’s been lacking in the past. But I definitely know the difference between that Scotland game and the Romania game and obviously Scotland’s a better team than Romania, but I think that belief is what’s pulled us through.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to just come from the Free Jacks guys, but when you get used to winning, and you know what it feels like, and you know what the prep to that feels like, and what a good morning is the day before the game and being able to come into it properly, I think is massive.

“You can talk about strategies on the field and everything, but if you have a good game plan, what’s left is what you’re actually going to do on the field, which is which is all up here (pointing to his head).”

Taking a moment to reflect, Fryer was asked about a specific moment where he felt that inner belief within a team. Reverting back to the recently completed MLR season, one match in particular stuck out as a catalyst for their impressive post-season run.

“Number one for me would be we had one away game against DC in DC and it was probably I’d say at that point one of the best feeling wins in my life.

“We came out, and within the first five minutes, I think it might’ve been within the first minute, straight off the kick-off, they scored on us.

“So, it was adversity from the start, and then we clawed it back, and we were up a bit, and then it was when I got subbed off, and I knew that the guy coming on was just going to finish it.

“I had full trust in him just coming on and knowing we don’t have a huge lead right now, but I have full trust in whoever’s coming to replace me, and I think I think we can replicate some of that with this Canadian team.”

Mirroring the tried and tested format of The Rugby Championship, the PNC is a competition that is built on long-standing rivalries, with none more ferocious than the North American derby of the US vs Canada. Unsurprisingly, this rivalry has produced some of the greatest moments in international sports, from the great battles of George St.Pierre vs Matt Hughes in the UFC to the Ice Hockey rink; the two nations have enjoyed a superb back and forth over the years.

On the Rugby pitch, Canada’s first win in an international Test match was against the United States in 1977. Since then Canada holds the overall lead in head-to-head encounters, with 39 victories to the USA’s 24 victories.

In recent years however the US has held the upper hand by a significant margin wining 12 of the past 15 with one draw, a record Fryer and his teammates will be looking to correct.

“I am excited for the US game because I know quite a few of the boys on their team, and I reckon most of us will because most of them are in the MLR.

“It’s how you show up on the day, and we have great players on this team.

“I know, if we put together a complete performance, we could beat a lot of teams out there, so it just comes down to how you’re doing on the day.

“That’s the great part about rugby is that on any given day, any team can beat any other team, and that’s it.”

Canada will face the United States live and free on RugbyPass TV at 18.00 local time (02.00 BST).

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs UNITED STATES
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Earl Marriott Secondary / Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Old Glory DC
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba , AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
4. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Cottesloe Rugby Club
5. Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Vancouver Highlanders
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds
7. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, USA) – New England Free Jacks
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Dallas Jackals
12. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders
13. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
14. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders
15. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA

Replacements
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
17. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / San Diego Legion
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
19. James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride
20. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
22. Mark Balaski ( Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride
23. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars