ROSARIO, Argentina — Hubert Buydens returns to captain Canada against an Argentina VX Sunday in the Americas Rugby Championship.
The Saskatoon prop started on the bench last week in Canada’s 52-25 win over Brazil in Langford, B.C.
Sunday’s game is not considered an official Test match although the Argentine side features a number of Test players. The majority of Argentina’s top internationals are with the Argentina Jaguares, who are playing in their inaugural Super Rugby season.
The Canadian backline is bolstered by the return from injury of winger Phil Mackenzie and scrum half Gordon McRorie.
Cam Pierce, who plays in France for Pau, and Kyle Baillie start at lock in the other changes to the forward pack.
Pat Parfrey switches from fullback to fly half as Gradyn Bowd drops to the bench. Brock Staller, who made his Test debut last Saturday at outside centre, starts at fullback.
Canada opened its ARC campaign with a 33-17 victory over Uruguay in Langford, BC, before losing 30-22 away to the U.S.
The Argentina XV began with a 35-35 draw with the U.S. before beating Chile 52-15 and Uruguay 24-21.
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Canada
Hubert Buydens (capt.), Castaway Wanderers, Saskatoon; Ray Barkwill, Castaway Wanderers, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Djustice Sears-Duru, Oakville Crusaders, Oakville, Ont,; Kyle Baillie, St. Albert RFC, Summerside, P.E.I.; Cam Pierce, Pau (France), Vernon, B.C.; Alistair Clark, Bay Street Pigs, Oakville, Ont.; Lucas Rumball, Balmy Beach RFC, Toronto; Clay Panga, Westshore Valhallians, Calgary; Gordon McRorie, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Pat Parfrey, Swilers RFC, St. John’s, N.L.; Duncan Maguire, St. Albert RFCC, St. Albert, Alta.; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Phil Mackenzie, Sale Sharks (England), Oakville, Ont.; Dan Moor, Balmy Beach RFC, Toronto; Brock Staller, UBC Thunderbirds, Vancouver.
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Replacements
Eric Howard, Brantford Harlequins, Ottawa; Ryan Kotlewski, Calgary Saints, Calgary; Rob Brouwer, Lindsay RFC, Lindsay, Ont.; Alex Mascott, UBC Thunderbirds, Langley, B.C.; Michael Hamson, Halifax Tars, Halifax; Andrew Ferguson, Oakville Crusaders, Mississauga, Ont.; Gradyn Bowd, UVIC Vikes, Calgary; Jacob Robinson, St. Albert RFC, St. Albert, Alta.