'We’re confident we can perform well': Canada aim to make strides in SVNS 2

Canada Men’s Sevens have named their 13-player squad for the decisive block in the HSBC SVNS 2 campaign.

At the first SVNS 2 event in Nairobi, Canada finished sixth overall and did not pick up a win. This weekend in Montevideo the team will play Germany, Kenya, USA, Uruguay and Belgium as they try to reignite their claim for a top four spot in the second tier competition.

Between the tournament in Africa and their trip to South America, Canada played in the Teck Tri-Nations Challenge at SVNS Vancouver, where the men’s team were victors at the conclusion of a four match round robin competition against Japan and Chile.

For this weekend’s tournament in Montevideo head coach, Christiaan Esterhuizen, has made just one change to his squad. It is an enforced alteration, with Andy Cooper primed to make his international sevens debut after he impressed in Vancouver two weekends ago.

“There’s nothing better than playing in high-pressure matches,” Christiaan Esterhuizen, Canada Men’s Sevens head coach, said. “The [Vancouver] tournament was a great test for us, and we’re hoping to build on those performances as we continue our preparation for SVNS 2.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the result in Kenya, but we’ve made significant strides defensively over the past few weeks. By improving that area of our game, we believe it will positively impact others as well.

“Our focus now is on finishing our attacking opportunities and maintaining the fast tempo we showed at the Teck Tri-Nations Challenge. If we can do that consistently, we’re confident we can perform well in South America.”

After this weekend’s tournament in Montevideo all 12 teams will travel to São Paulo for the final round of SVNS 2 competition. Finishing in the top four of the overall standings will secure teams with a place at HSBC SVNS World Championship events in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.

Canada Men’s Sevens squad for Montevideo & São Paulo

3. Ethan Turner
10. Adam Doane
13. Brenden Black
17. Jesse Kilgour
18. Morgan Di Nardo
22. Kyle Tremblay
23. Thomas Isherwood
33. Kal Sager
37. Ian Jones
44. Lockie Kratz
55. Jack Shaw
64. Elias Hancock
66. Andy Cooper