Mike Fuailefau of Victoria, who had methodically evolved into one of Canada’s most reliable rugby sevens players before being injured last year, draws back in today.
The St. Michaels University School graduate, who has been out since last summer’s Rugby Sevens World Cup at Oracle Park in San Francisco, returns to international duty when Canada opens the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton (streamed live on CBC) against Spain at 3:14 p.m., New Zealand at 7:26 p.m. and Japan at 11:15 p.m.
“Mike has been a mainstay of the sevens team,” said Canadian head coach Damian McGrath.
“To have his experience back [is good]. He brings that rugby IQ very few players have in the World Series.”
Islanders joining Fuailefau on the Canadian roster in New Zealand include fellow-SMUS graduate Luke McCloskey and Oak Bay High and James Bay-product Connor Braid, Pat Kay of Duncan, and Isaac Kaay from the University of Victoria Vikes.
Former UVic Vikes great Nathan Hirayama will captain Canada.
With injuries to key players Harry Jones, Lucas Hammond and Admir Cejvanovic, the return of Fuailefau couldn’t be better timed.
Also returning, from an even longer-term injury, is Phil Berna of the UBC Thunderbirds, who has been out for over a year.
“He’s an exciting player. I have high hopes for Phil but don’t want to put too much pressure on him because he’s been such a long time out,” said McGrath.
Among the players expected to fill in are two making their Canada debuts — Cole Davis from the Calgary Saints and Brock Webster from the Oshawa Vikings of Ontario.
“Brock Webster has been outstanding since we brought him over to Langford in September,” said McGrath.
“I really feel I need to take him on one of these trips. And Cole Davis has XVs experience. He’s already got Test caps. He’s not predictable. He’s strong, quick and agile. I’m looking forward to him performing Down Under.”
The top-four teams in the 2019 World Series will advance directly to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
The Canadian squad, which missed two crucial months of pre-season training at Westhills Stadium in Langford due to a labour dispute between the players and Rugby Canada, is in 12th place after the first two of 10 World Series events held in Dubai and South Africa.
The Canada Sevens, which annually sells out the lower bowl of B.C. Place, is March 9-10.
Meanwhile, the Canadian women’s sevens team, also based in Langford, flew out of YYJ on Thursday for the next World Series tournament Feb. 1-3 in Sydney, Australia. It is the third of sixth World Series tournaments, out of which the top-four nations will advance directly to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Canada, the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, is second in the standings after the first two World Series events.
Canada has been placed in a pool with Ireland, Fiji and Russia for the Sydney tournament. Joining captain Ghislaine Landry is Caroline Crossley of Victoria and a familiar cast that includes Britt Benn, Bianca Farella, Charity Williams and Kayla Moleschi.
“We have a belief in this squad that we can always be on the podium,” said Canadian head coach John Tait of Mill Bay.
“This year, with the Olympic qualification process, we made the goal simple: We’ve got to be top four in every tournament.”
The Canada Sevens, the fifth of sixth World Series tournaments, is May 11-12 at Westhills Stadium.
