CANADA U20 ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR 7TH PLACE PLAY-OFF

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – Canada’s men’s U20 coach Jeff Williams will make four changes to his roster that will compete in the 7th Place Play-Off against Hong Kong at the World Rugby U20 Trophy Sunday at Estadio Charrua.

After dropping their three pool play contests, Canada will look to finish with a victory over a Hong Kong side that also enters Sunday’s match without a win in three outings.

The Canadian back row will have a slightly different look than the one that took on Chile in their last outing, as Jame O’Neill returns to the starting lineup at right flanker, while Jamie McNaughton moves over to left flanker, where he’ll replace Lachlan Currie.  

Amongst the backs, William McDougall-Percillier earns his first start of the tournament at scrumhalf, slotting in for Fraser Hurst, while Josh Thiel is back in the mix at centre, coming in for Niko Clironomos.

In the pack, both the front and second rows are unchanged from Canada’s game against Chile.

Connor Sampson, Steven Ng and Cole Keith are back up front, while locks Liam Doll and Matt Beukeboom will once again get the starting call.

Joining McNaughton and O’Neill in the back row is No. 8 Jake Thiel.

As has been the case throughout the entire tournament, Will Kelly will start at flyhalf, with Cole Davis and Anton Ngongo on the wings, captain George Barton at centre and Aidan McMullan at fullback.

Hong Kong has become a familiar foe for the Canadian U20 contingent in recent years, with the two teams meeting in both the 2014 and 2015 tournaments. In 2014, Canada beat Hong Kong in the 7th Place Play-Off 33-30, while in 2015, Canada earned a 24-15 victory in pool play.

Canada are coming off a 45-28 loss against Chile in their final match of pool play. The Canadians also lost Pool A games against Japan (50-12) and Namibia (31-16).

Sunday’s championship final features Japan and Portugal, while Uruguay and Namibia will play for third place and Chile and Fiji will battle for fifth.

Canada qualified for the U20 Trophy after beating the USA in a two-game qualifying series in Edmonton. Canada cruised to a 46-12 victory in Game 1 and, despite a 27-25 defeat in Game 2, Canada qualified by virtue of a 71-39 aggregate win. Canada failed to qualify for the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2016.

What coach Jeff Williams said:
“The team is excited for the challenge Hong Kong presents. The boys have continued to prepare and plan. They know how important it is to start well and apply pressure early by playing in their end and by being patient.”

Canada’s Roster to Face Hong Kong:
1. Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
2. Steven Ng (Capilano RFC) Ottawa, ON
3. Cole Keith (James Bay AA) Sussex, NB    
4. Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds) North Vancouver, BC
5. Matt Beukeboom (Section Paloise) Lindsay, ON
6. Jamie McNaughton Carleton Place, ON
7. James O’Neill (UVic Vikes) Cochrane, AB
8. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
9. William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan Piggies) Mill Bay, Victoria
10. Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins) Ancaster, ON
11. Cole Davis (Canberra Royals) Calgary, AB
12. Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College) Abbotsford, BC
13. George Barton (Clermont) Duncan, BC (captain)
14. Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
15. Aidan McMullan (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Montreal, QC

16. Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON
17. Liam Murray (Langley) Langley, BC
18. Nick Frost (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
19. Niko Clironomos (UBC Thunderbirds) Burnaby, BC
20. Thomas Davidson (Toronto Scottish RFC), Chelsea, QC
21. Evan Norris, (Shawnigan Lake School) Victoria, BC
22. Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC

2017 World Rugby U20 Trophy Staff:
Head Coach – Jeff Williams
Assistant Coach – Sean McDonaugh
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Jeff Watson
Athletic Therapist – Kiyomi Thompson
Analyst – Derek Pue
Team Physician – Shelby Karpman
Team Manager – Alana Gattinger

Canada’s 2017 World Rugby U20 Trophy 2017 Schedule:
Canada 16 Namibia 31 – Estadio Charrua (Montevideo)
Canada 12 Japan 50 – Estadio Charrua (Montevideo)
Canada 28 Chile 45 – Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguel (Punta del Este)
7th Place Play-Off
Canada vs. Hong Kong – Sept 10 – 9am ET/6 am PT – Estadio Charrua (Montevideo)

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