LANGFORD, B.C. — Hooker Ray Barkwill will serve as Canadian captain for the first time as Canada hosts Brazil on Saturday in the Americas Rugby Championship.
Barkwill takes over as skipper from prop Hubert Buydens, who drops to the bench in one of five changes by interim men’s coach Francois Ratier. Most of the changes are injury-related.
Canada is 1-1-0 at the five-team tournament, opening with a 33-17 win over Uruguay before losing 30-22 away to the U.S. Brazil has lost both matches, beaten 33-29 by Uruguay and 25-22 by Chile.
Loosehead prop Djustice Sears-Duru gets his first start of the tournament in place of Buydens. Liam Chisholm, who made his test debut against the U.S. last weekend, opens at lock with Andrew Ferguson replacing the injured Gord McRorie at scrum half.
Duncan Maguire, who scored his first test try on debut against the Americans, starts on the wing and Brock Staller, called into the squad earlier this week, earns his first cap at outside centre. Eric Howard, Rob Brouwer, Mike Hamson, Jake Robinson, Joe Dolesau and Brett Johnson all could earn their first cap off the bench.
"The players are ready to play Brazil," Ratier said in a release. "There is a very good atmosphere in the team and the energy has been high since our last game. We’re ready to go."
McRorie, Phil Mackenzie, Callum Morrison and Mozac Samson all started against the U.S. but are unavailable through injury. Kyle Gilmour was hurt in the opening game against Uruguay.
Brazil is ranked 42nd in the world, compared to No. 19 for Canada.
"We’ve watched their last two games and it’s a team that likes playing rugby and never gives up," Ratier said. "They like to offload the ball and kick the ball a lot. I’m expecting a very open style of rugby from Brazil."
Canada Roster
Djustice Sears-Duru, Oakville Crusaders, Oakville, Ont.; Ray Barkwill (capt.), Castaway Wanderers, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Jake Ilnicki, Castaway Wanderers, Williams Lake, B.C.; Paul Ciulini, Aurora Barbarians, Vaughan, Ont,; Liam Chisholm, UVIC Vikes; Kenora, Ont.; Lucas Rumball, Balmy Beach RFC, Toronto; Alistair Clark, Bay Street Pigs, Oakville, Ont.; Clay Panga, Westshore Valhallians, Calgary; Andrew Ferguson, Oakville Crusaders, Mississauga, Ont.; Gradyn Bowd, UVIC Vikes, Calgary; Duncan Maguire, St. Albert RFCC, St. Albert, Alta.; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Brock Staller, UBC Thunderbirds, Vancouver; Dan Moor, Balmy Beach RFC, Toronto; Pat Parfrey, Swilers RFC, St. John’s, N.L.
Replacements
Eric Howard, Brantford Harlequins, Ottawa; Hubert Buydens, Castaway Wanderers, Saskatoon; Rob Brouwer, Lindsay RFC, Lindsay, Ont.; Kyle Baillie, St. Albert RFC, Summerside, P.E.I.; Michael Hamson, Halifax Tars, Halifax; Jacob Robinson, St. Albert RFC, St. Albert, Alta.; Joe Dolesau, Burnaby Lake RC, Burnaby, B.C.; Brett Johnson, Truro Saints, Truro, N.S.