John Moonlight will captain a side that features a wealth of experience as Canada prepare to face Fiji, Argentina and Japan in the opening round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai on 4-5 December.
After featuring at Rugby World Cup 2015, Moonlight, Harry Jones, Phil Mack (pictured above), Conor Trainor and Nathan Hirayama return to the sevens fold while Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Sean Duke, Mike Fuailefau, Pat Kay, Sean White and Adam Zaruba make up the rest of Middleton’s 12-man squad. Between them, they have 306 Sevens Series caps.
Last season, Mack only appeared in one Sevens Series event while Hirayama appeared just twice as both battled injuries.
"They bring a different element to the game and a lot of lateral movement,” Middleton said. “They have some good playmaking ability and it gives us good balance in our side with the pace and power that we have.”
Canada will tackle Fiji in their opening game of the tournament, a team they hold a 2-39 record against, before taking on Argentina, who they defeated in the Pan-Am Games gold medal match in Toronto in July, and then Japan.
“It’s a tough pool as you’d expect from any pool you’re drawn into in the Sevens Series,” Middleton said. “We’ve played Fiji a fair bit in the last World Series and obviously they’re defending champions so they’ll provide us with a fair bit of competition. We know how to play against them, we just have to execute.
“Japan are a good rugby team and are well drilled. Argentina are a team we’ve played regularly and we go toe-to-toe with them and I think we’re evolving our game to be more and more competitive.”
Last season, Canada finished ninth in the standings but ended the season in positive fashion, reaching the Cup quarter-finals in four of the last five tournaments. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the 19-15 win over New Zealand in the Tokyo Sevens Cup quarters where they became the first Canadian international team at any level to defeat New Zealand. Their fourth place finish at that tournament was their best of the season.
After the Dubai Sevens, Canada will travel to South Africa for the series’ second leg. Nanyak Dala will link up with the team there and be considered for selection.
Canada’s squad: Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Sean Duke, Mike Fuailefau, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Pat Kay, Phil Mack, John Moonlight (captain), Conor Traino, Sean White, Adam Zaruba.
Argentina focused on improved standing
Argentina captain Fernando Luna says his side are determined to improve on last year’s eighth place finish in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, as they prepare for the big kick-off in Dubai.
The South Americans began the 2014-15 series well, finishing as Plate runners-up and Plate winners in the first two tournaments, in Australia and Dubai, before tailing off towards the end to finish 52 points off the top four in the overall standings.
Luna heads a new-look squad for Dubai that includes five series debutants - Renzo Barbier, Joaquín Riera, Santiago Resino, Sebastián Cancelliere and Bautista Ezcurra.
Seven of the squad who won the silver medal at this summer’s Pan American Games in Toronto have been selected by coach Gomez Cora.
“We’re well prepared and the arrival of new players has strengthened the team,” said Luna.
“We go into the series with high expectations and the desire to fight to get to the top.
“Obviously the Olympics is the long-term goal but much importance will be given to the series so that we can go to Rio having climbed up the rankings and in the best possible shape.”
Argentina Sevens face reigning series champions Fiji, Canada and Japan in Pool A.
“It’s a tough group,” added Luna. “We’ve got the champions, a Canadian team that’s been strong for several years and Japan who continue to grow in sevens. All three games will be physically tough but if we maintain a good defence we’ll be able to qualify.”
Argentina will convene in Buenos Aires on Wednesday and fly out to Dubai three days later.
Argentina’s squad for Dubai: Santiago Alvarez, Renzo Barbier, Sebastian Cancelliere, Rodrigo Etchart, Bautista Ezcurra, Fernando Luna, Axel Muller, Santiago Resino, Gaston Revol, Joaquin Riera, Franco Sabato, German Schulz.
Ryan keeps the faith
Fiji head coach Ben Ryan has selected a 14-man squad for the opening two tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens World Series 2015-16 as his side begin the defence of the title they won last May.
Ryan has largely kept faith with his championship-winning squad - five from the 14 were not in London as Fiji edged out South Africa to lift their second series trophy.
Last season’s top series points scorer Osea Kolinisau (312) captains a squad that includes Savenaca Rawaca, who, with 39 tries, was joint second with team-mate, Semi Kunatani, in the try scoring charts.
Kunatani, one of last season's sevens player of the year nominees, is not in the squad, but Ryan has named rookie of the year Jerry Tuwai in his initial 14.
Fiji head Pool A in Dubai and kick-off proceedings against Canada with further ties against Japan and Argentina,
Fiji squad for Dubai and Cape Town:
Alivereti Veitokani, Apisai Domolailai, Emosi Mulevoro, Isake Katonibau, Jasa Veremalua, Kitione Taliga, Nemani Nagusa, Osea Kolinisau, Pio Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Seremaia Tuwai, Sevuloni Mocenacagi/Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata.