Canada ‘A’: Changes to Roster for New Zealand

April 13, 2006

Via Ian Kennedy at Rugby Canada:

CANADA ‘A’: CHANGES TO ROSTER FOR NEW ZEALAND

The twenty–eight players composing Canada’s ‘A’ squad set to fly to New Zealand on Friday, gathered in North Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon to begin preparations for their forthcoming, four-game tour. Because of injury and for personal and occupational reasons, three players originally named to the squad have been forced to remove themselves from the tour. ...

The team held a light afternoon workout at the Capilano RFC’s, Klahani Park near the motel where the team is staying. Besides being kept under the watchful eyes of coaches Ric Suggitt, John Tait, Geraint John and Dave Johnston, 98 year-old former Canadian international Ernest Pinkham, accompanied by his daughter Judith, also cast a critical eye from the stands.

Pinkham is the world’s oldest living international and played wing for Canada against Japan, when the first Canadian team sailed there to play two tests in 1932. ...

Canada ‘A’ will train twice on Thursday before flying out on Friday for Wellington where they will play New Zealand U-21 trialists on April 19 and 22nd before moving to Nelson on the South Island where they will play Tasman on April 26th. The Canadians will finish with a game against Wanganui back on the North Island on April 28th.

Read the entire article.