The Newfoundland Rock are set to host the 2009 Champions, Vancouver Wave, in Saturday's National Junior Championship Final.
The Wave are strong favourites having been unbeaten in the Pacific Division against BC rivals Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley, and having defeated Saskatchewan in the Western Final in convincing fashion. In addition they have an age advantage as the Rock are predominantly U19 players.
However, The Rock will have home advantage as the Swilers Rugby Complex has always been a difficult environment for visitors. The Rock have had a more difficult path to the final than the Wave and survived tight games against Quebec and Niagara in the regional playoff and Eastern Final respectively.
“Spirit and passion has always been a prerequisite for successful Rock teams. In addition our team is skillful and we expect to compete well in this game,“ said coach Simon Blanks. The Rock have some injury concerns with Robert Spearing, Justin Grainger, Devin Lacey and the captain Shane Stratton, so the starting team will not be announced until later in the week.
The Vancouver squad will arrive in Newfoundland on Thursday and will be in St. John's in time to prepare on the ground a few days prior to the highly anticipated match. For Vancouver, Saturday marks their third consecutive National Final and an opportunity to defend the title.
The National Final will be played in St. John’s on Saturday, July 31 at 2pm at Swilers Rugby Complex.
Newfoundland Rock
Head Coach: Simon Blanks
Bob Rogers, Jordan Power, Robert Spearing, Alex Marshall, Casey Cavers, Justin Grainger, Kyle Baillie, Craig Lynch, Ryan Monaghan, Zac Coughlan, Neil Molloy, Dennis Maher, Cam Pierce, Matt OReilly, Mike Pittman, Patrick Parfrey, Kyle McGuirk, Tye Hamblin, Llyr Morris, Scott O’Shea, Shane Stratton, Stefan Mackey, Devin Lacey, Patrick McNicholas
Vancouver Wave
Head Coach: Pat Fleck
1. Alex Kam 2. Thomas Pynn 3. Admir Cejvanovic 4. Gareth Dryer 5. Remy Pannikar 6. Drew Langer 7. Liam Murray 8. Mike McDonald © 9. Matt Yanagiya 10. Bryan Tryer 11. Cody Thistle 12. Connor Fuller 13. Dan Dibadj 14. Sean Ferguson 15. Kevin Gurniak
Replacements
16. Andrew Welch 17. Patrick Shier 18. Kyle Minish 19. Alex Daniel 20. Kenny Tanaka 21. Ben Gula 22. Connor Watt
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