Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Rugby World Cup 2007: Canada Squad

Canada is one of those Rugby playing countries who have participated in all previous rugby world cup tournaments. Rugby World Cup 2007 is coming nearer day by day. Rugby World Cup 2007 will start from 7 September in France. Canada’s best ever world cup performance was in Rugby world cup 1991 where they could qualify for the quarter final round. Canada has a long tradition of Rugby as they played their first Rugby match against Japan in 1932.

In Rugby World Cup 2007, Canada will play in Pool B besides two times world champion Australia, Fiji, Japan and Wales. Canada Coach Ric Suggitt has declared 30-man world cup squad. Two notable players- flanker Stan McKeen and teenage fly half Nathan Hirayama have been excluded from the squad. Stan McKeen has fitness problems whereas for Nathan Hirayama, it was his ill-fate to have made him out of the squad as his recent performance was excellent and his rank also rose up this year.

The youngest member of the squad is Nick Trenkel who is yet to debut for Canada. He is now 20. However, there are number of experienced players in the squad as well. Rod Snow, 37 year old, will play his fourth world cup in France. Moreover, second row Mike James will also play his fourth world cup whereas captain Morgan Williams and prop Jon Thiel will appear in France for their third world cup. In Pool B Canada will play against Australia, Fiji, Wales and Japan. On 9 September, Canada will play their opening match against Wales.

I am giving the names of the players of Canada from the official website of Rugby world cup below:

Forwards (17): Scott Franklin, Dan Pletch, Mike Pletch, Jon Thiel, Kevin Tkachuk, Aaron Carpenter, Pat Riordan, Mike Burak, Jamie Cudmore, Mike James, Luke Tait, Colin Yukes, David Biddle, Adam Kleeberger, Rod Snow, Sean-Michael Stephen, Mike Webb.

Backs (13): Ed Fairhurst, Matt Weingart, Morgan Williams (Captain), Ander Monro, Ryan Smith, Craig Culpan, Derek Daypuck, David Spicer, Nick Trenkel, Justin Mensah-Coker, James Pritchard, Mike Pyke, DTH van der Merwe.

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