Canada 23 to face Tonga

The match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s final match of the Pacific Nations Cup against Tonga has been named by Head Coach Kingsley Jones.

Canada will kick off against Tonga in the 5th place play-off on Saturday September 14 at 12:00am PT / 3:00am ET / 4:00pm local time at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team last played the world no. 16 ranked Tonga in August 2023, with Tonga winning two tests at Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku’alofa.

A number of changes have been made following Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup loss to the United States on August 31 in Los Angeles.

Matthew Oworu moves off the bench to be the team’s starting blindside flanker, with Cooper Coats also returning to the starting 15. Josiah Morra earns his first start with the team since last November’s La Vila International Rugby Cup match-up with Spain.

Starting on the bench, 20-year-old Pacific Pride graduate Tyler Matchem could earn his first cap for Canada, while Siôn Parry returns following recovery from injury and Callum Botchar could make his first appearance for the team since November 2022.

“The team has had valuable time together here in Japan since our match against the United States. Players and coaches have been working hard on improving our performances with each game we play, and we all want to come away with a performance that we are proud of,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones. “We’re confident in the preparation we have been putting in, and the work rate from the players has been commendable. Tonga provides another really good challenge for our team that we are looking forward to.”

The match will be streamed live on TSN+. More information about the Pacific Nations Cup can be found here.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs TONGA

1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) - Earl Marriott Secondary / Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Old Glory DC
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
4. Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) - Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Vancouver Highlanders
5. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds
6. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
7. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, USA) – New England Free Jacks
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) - Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens  
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
13. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders
14. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA / Markham Irish RFC
15. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) - Halifax Tars

FINISHERS

16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
17. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
18. Tyler Matchem (Pictou County, NS) - Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC  
19. Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – NOLA Gold 
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC 
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) - Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
22. Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride
23. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders