Rod Snow back in Team Canada

Just the other day Al Charron was speculating that veteran international prop Rod Snow might be added to Canada's World Cup squad, replacing Nanyak Dala. Charron has proven prescient. But there's an unspoken mystery - deemed here, quote, "mutually agreeable circumstances" - surrounding the reasons why. Ian Kennedy at Rugby Canada releases the statement:

Twenty-three year-old Nigerian born flanker Nanyak Dala has been forced to withdraw from the preliminary Canada squad of 32 announced earlier this week. Taking his place is 57 cap holder Rod Snow, currently Canada's most capped prop, who, should he earn a place on this 2007 squad, will be going to his fourth Rugby World Cup.

"Due to mutually agreeable circumstances Nanyak Dala has had to withdraw his name from the World Cup squad," says Canada coach Ric Suggitt. "Nanyak is respected for making this difficult decision and his presence will be missed as we move forward in our World Cup preparation and I fully expect that he will be back in the squad for future tours." [...]

Veteran prop Rod Snow will join the Canada squad in Toronto on August 10th and will be available for Canada’s international match against Portugal on August 11th in Toronto and August 18th in Ottawa. Rod will then continue on with the team to St. John's.

Snow last played for Canada in its RWC Qualifying match against the USA in his home-town of St. John’s last August. He capped his performance by scoring his eighth try for his country in front of a multitude of delirious fans, many watching the former Newport professional play for Canada live for the first time.

Snow scored his first try for Canada in his third international game at his first World Cup game against Romania at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. He then went on to play in every one of Canada’s World Cup games at the 1999 World Cup in France and the 2003 World Cup in Australia. He has played in a total of 10 RWC games.

The rest of the story, here.

So, add a lone Newfie to the squad.