Canada Name Team for Romania Clash on Friday Evening in Ottawa
Coach Kingsley Jones has named a virtually unchanged starting XV from the side that lost to Scotland 73-12 on Saturday. The only change is bringing in Talon McMullin to the centres to replace Mitch Richardson and moving Ben Lesage from inside to outside centre.
Canada were exposed on defence in the lopsided win for the visitors as Scotland ran rampant in the backline taking advantage of a passive Canadian defensive effort.
In the reserves, Jesse Mackail is replaced by Dewald Kotze as backup hooker, Cali Martinez replaces Djustice Sear-Duru at prop while Cole Keith retains his spot on the bench. James Stockwood remains as backup lock and Ethan Fryer replaces Sion Parry as reserve flanker. Brock Gallagher and Takoda McMullin retain their impact roles in the backs while Mark Balaski takes a spot on the bench with Talon McMullin getting the start.
Romania defeated USA last weekend 22-20 but were fortunate to come away with the win as USA had two opportunities in the last 10 minutes to kick penalties for the win but missed both kicks. USA scored 2 tries to Romania’s 1 try but the Romanian penalty kicking made up the difference. Romania’s try was by their big Tongan winger Tevita Manumua. At the time of writing the Romanian lineup isn’t available but we’ve posted their roster vs USA for comparison and will update the article when it’s published.
It’s disappointing that Kingsley Jones hasn’t been more aggressive in testing new talent, the fly half position is a prime example, it’s highly unlikely Peter Nelson will be part of the RWC 2027 qualification process. Mark Balaski might be and he needs more than token minutes in the match. Josh Thiel proved that he deserves some playing time but he wasn’t named to the Ottawa long list, Jamin Hodgkins was named to the long list but won’t get any playing time in Ottawa.
Canada will need to up their defensive effort to be competitive in the match, there was little pressure put on the Scotland play makers and they used the ample time and space to orchestrate an 11 try performance.
Kickoff is on Friday at 7pm local time, 4pm on the west coast with viewing on TSN 4.
from Rugby Canada
The match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s second match in Ottawa, which see the Canadians take on Romania, has been named by Head Coach Kingsley Jones.
Canada and Romania will kick off at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT on Friday July 12 at TD Place, the first time these two teams, who are close in the world rankings, have met since 2017 in Edmonton. Both sides played last weekend, with Canada facing Scotland at TD Place in front of a home crowd of 11,447 and Romania edging out the United States in Chicago. Tickets for Friday’s match are available here.
Nic Benn has earned his second start for Canada, with Talon McMullin moving into the starting line-up after subbing into Canada’s match against Scotland on Saturday for his first cap. Ben LeSage moves from inside to outside centre, with the remainder of Canada’s starting line-up staying the same following the match against Scotland.
Four players have an opportunity to earn their first caps for Canada off the bench. This includes Dallas Jackals hooker Dewald Kotze, who finished the MLR regular season fourth overall in tries scored, as well as Old Glory DC’s Calixto Martinez, New England Free Jacks’ Ethan Fryer, and the Pacific Pride Development Academy’s Mark Balaski.
“Important in our selection for this match was cohesion and giving the guys who went on Saturday another opportunity to keep growing. We know the areas we need to improve. We face a physical challenge with Romania, a slightly different one from what we faced against Scotland. Scotland was a test for us to see where we stand and measure ourselves. We’re looking to make improvements in many areas for Friday, while continuing the good work in our set pieces and discipline,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones.
“The team felt the support of the hometown crowd on Saturday and are eager to get back on the pitch at TD Place to represent Canada. Our players continue to take on each challenge with grit and tenacity, and have demonstrated this throughout our training here in Ottawa. We are also looking forward to seeing four more players have an opportunity on Friday to earn their first cap, as we continue to build as a program and develop our depth and experience.”
Tickets for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team against Romania on July 12 at 7:00pm ET at TD Place are available for purchase at rugby.ca/en/tickets. Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@rugby.ca. For more information on suites, please contact suites@rugby.ca.
The match will be broadcast live on TSN4.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs ROMANIA
1. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
4. Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – New England Free Jacks
5. Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars / New England Free Jacks
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
8. Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / Clifton Rugby Club
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Dallas Jackals
12. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders
13. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
14. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA
15. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
FINISHERS
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
17. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Old Glory DC
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
19. James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride
20. Ethan Fryer (Seattle, USA) – New England Free Jacks
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
22. Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride
23. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders
Rugby Romania vs USA
1. Iulian Hartig (Bassin d’Arcachon), 2. Ștefan Buruiană (Castres Olympique), 3. Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua), 4. Yanis Horvat (SC Albi), 5. Andrei Mahu (Massy) , 6. Vlad Neculau (SCM USV Timisoara), 7. Dragoș Ser (SCM USV Timișoara), 8. Nicolaas Immelman (CSM Știința Baia Mare), 9. Alin Conache (CSA Steaua), 10. Hinckley Vaovasa, 11. Tevita Manumua (SCM USV Timișoara), 12. Jason Tomane (CSM Science Baia Mare), 13. Mihai Graure (CS Dinamo), 14. Marius Simionescu C (SCM USV Timișoara), 15. Paul Popoaia (CSM Science Baia Mare)
Reserves: 16 Robert Irimescu (CSM Baia Mare), 17. Alexandru Savin (CS Rapid), 18. Cosmin Manole (CS Dinamo), 19. Marius Iftimiciuc (Carcassonne), 20. Kamil Sobota (CS Dinamo), 21. Gabriel Rupanu ( SCM USV Timișoara), 22. Fonovai Tangimana (CS Rapid), 23. Daniel Plai (SCM USV Timișoara)