April 11, 2025 (Langford, BC) – Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team will compete in the 2025 Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge, with 32 players announced for the travelling squad by Christiaan Esterhuizen, Head Coach of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team.
Ahead of travelling to Fiji, the team will convene on Vancouver Island in May for a two-week camp, training out of Langford as well as at Shawnigan Lake School.
This will be the second edition of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge, and will see Canada take on Samoa on May 28, Fiji on June 2, and Tonga on June 7 at King Charles Park in Nadi.
Earlier this year, a long list of players for Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team for 2025 was announced. Players were identified and selected via their participation in university and club competition and tournaments like the U19 Canadian Rugby Championship, past performance with Canada’s age grade programs, and recommendations from provincial coaches. Available players also participated in a four-day training and alignment camp at Vancouver’s St. George’s School, held alongside HSBC SVNS Vancouver.
“Participating in the 2025 Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge is a critical step in developing our young Canadian players,” said Esterhuizen. “Competing against top Pacific nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will test our players’ resilience and adaptability while providing them with a taste of international rugby. This experience will provide exposure to different playing styles and prepare our players for future international competitions. It’s a valuable opportunity to grow, learn and measure ourselves against some of the best.”
Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen will be joined on staff by John McFarland (Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Defence Coach), Hubert Buydens (Pacific Pride Development Academy Forwards Coach), Cory Hector (University of Guelph), Paddy Watson (Balmy Beach RFC), Conor Turner (Strength and Conditioning Coach), and Erin Schatkowsky (Athletic Therapist).
Rugby Canada would like to thank Adera and the Canadian Rugby Foundation for their support of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team.
CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM
2025 OCEANIA RUGBY U20S CHALLENGE SQUAD
FORWARDS
Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – University of Victoria / Aurora Barbarians
Alexander Muir (Victoria, BC) – University College Dublin / UBCOB Ravens
Alistair Yeomans (Mississauga, ON) – University of Guelph / Mississauga Blues
Andrew Neveu (Uxbridge, ON) – Durham College / Oshawa Vikings RFC
Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) – Queen’s University / UBCOB Ravens
Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans
Ben Koolen (Banbury, ENG) – Bloxham School / Gloucester Rugby
Brighton Feldman (Langford, BC) – University of Victoria / Westshore RFC
Coen Quinn (Ottawa, ON) – Queen’s University / Bytown Blues RFC
Cole Harris (Uxbridge, ON) – Pacific Pride / Brock RFC
Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC
Elijah McQueen (Fergus, ON) – University of British Columbia / Fergus Highland Rugby James Noftall (Conception Bay South, NL) – University of British Columbia / Swilers RFC
Kaea Griffiths (Penzance, ENG) – Camborne RFC
Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) – Leeds Beckett University / Red Deer Titans
Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) – University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish
Quinn Foley (Oakville, ON) – University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
Simroy John (Clapham Heights Christ Church, BRB) – Shawnigan Lake School
BACKS
Daniel Muzaliwa (Cape Town, RSA) – University of Waterloo / Waterloo County
Evan Davies (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC
Jimmy Leach (London, UK) – Brunel University
Jonty Nicholas (Wiltshire, UK) – University of British Columbia
Joshua McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Greerton Marist Rugby Club
Kohl Kletke (Oakville, ON) – Western University / Oakville Crusaders
Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens
Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
Matthew Bennett (Durban, RSA) – University of Victoria / Westshore RFC
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – University of Victoria
Reece Thompson (Minesing, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby
Rowan Closs (Uxbridge, ON) – Brock Rugby Club
Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Balmy Beach Rugby Club
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES
Daniel Lucic (Oakville, ON) – University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
Finn Hughes (Peterborough, ON) – Wilfrid Laurier University / Peterborough Pagans
Joe Kaufmann (Kingston, ON) – Kingston Panthers / La Salle School
Josh du Toit (Cape Town, RSA) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
Max McGavern (Newcastle, AUS) – University of British Columbia / St Joseph’s
Mitchell Buie (Victoria, BC) – Pacific Pride / Westshore RFC
Noah Kynaston (Esquimalt, BC) – Pacific Pride / Castaway Wanderers
Sam Blundell (Nanaimo, BC) – Pacific Pride
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About Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.
Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.
Media Contact
Liz Montroy
Manager, Communications
lmontroy@rugby.ca