Richardson To Make First International Start in Tonga Series Finale

With files from Rugby Canada

Seven Arrows have been included in Canada’s matchday lineup to face Tonga on Tuesday (kickoff 10PM ET on Monday).

Fullback Peter Nelson, recently-acquired fly-half Robbie Povey, centre Mitch Richardson and flanker Lucas Rumball will all begin the series finale against the Ikale Tahi, while scrum-half Ross Braude and loose forwards Mason Flesch and Travis Larsen will look to make an impact off the bench.

Richardson — coming off his Canada debut in the series opener — has been tabbed for his first international start.

Rumball will captain the touring Canadian side.

Via Rugby Canada

Canada’s roster for the second and final match at Teufaiva Stadium between Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team and Tonga has been named by Head Coach Kingsley Jones.

Concluding Canada’s tour in Fiji and Tonga, the match will kick off at 3:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday August 15 (7:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday August 14) in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa.

Mitch Richardson enters the starting 15 in place of Ben LeSage, who is out with injury. This will be the first start for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team for Richardson as well as for Sion Parry, who both entered the game in the second half on Thursday versus Tonga to earn their first caps. San Diego Legion scrum-half Jason Higgins also moves into the first 15.

Gabe Casey, a University of Victoria player and 2022 Toronto Arrows draft pick who gained experience with Canada ‘A’ last fall in the Americas Rugby Trophy, could earn his first cap off the bench.

“This will be another physical challenge, but I am looking forward to seeing how much we can improve upon last match, which was our first match as a team in almost 10 months,” said Jones. “We were pleased with a lot of the aspects of the last game. We did a lot of things well, it’s not often you get statistics of 58% possession and 58% territory. Our challenge is to improve our accuracy and finish those hard earned opportunities this Tuesday.”

The second test match between Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team and Tonga streams Monday August 14 at 6:45 p.m. PT / 9:45 p.m. ET live on TSN+, the new stand-alone digital streaming service from Canada’s Sports Leader.

TSN+ is home to an extensive slate of live sports coverage from around the world, including Rugby Canada matches. For more information on TSN+, including subscription options, visit TSN.ca/TSN+.

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

1. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – Greater Sydney Rams / New England Free Jacks
4. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Spotswood United RFC
5. Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Ottawa Ospreys / New England Free Jacks
6. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto Arrows
7. Sion Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Pontypridd RFC
8. Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
10. Robbie Povey (Northampton, UK) – Long Bukby RFC / Houston SaberCats
11. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – New England Free Jacks
12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, New Zealand) – New England Free Jacks
13. Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University / Toronto Arrows
14. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Houston SaberCats
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC / Toronto Arrows

FINISHERS

16. Foster Dewitt (Courtney, BC) – Westshore RFC / New England Free Jacks
17. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / San Diego Legion
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers / New England Free Jacks
19. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
20. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Toronto Arrows
21. Travis Larsen (Parksville, BC) – James Bay AA / Meralomas / Toronto Arrows
22. Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows
23. Gabe Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria

Header Photo Credit: Barry McCluskey