NEPEAN, Ont. – There was a distinct McGill University connection when the Canadian men's rugby team upset Fiji 20-18 in a Pacific Nations Cup game at Twin Elm Rugby Park, Wednesday. It marked their first victory over the Flying Fijians since 1995.
 
Among the starters in the second row for the Canadian squad was Jon Phelan, a 27-year-old McGill graduate who played for the Redmen from 2005 to 2008, earning all-conference honours in his senior year. Since graduating with a civil engineering degree in 2009 the 6-foot-7, 247-pound native of Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., has played in 10 career contests for the national team. He earned his first cap in a 43-12 win over Belgium on first leg of the team's 2010 European tour.
 
Canada opened the five-nation tournament with a surprise 16-9 victory over the USA in Edmonton on May 25. Fiji opened the PNC series with an easy 22-8 decision over Japan on at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji on June 1.
 
With the victory, Canada climbs to the top of the standings in the Pacific Nations Cup competition. They currently sit atop the standings with eight points while Fiji slipped to second with five, tied with Tonga. The Americans are fourth with one point, while Japan brings up the rear with an 0-2 record.
 
A busy schedule has the Canadian squad playing four matches in 15 days in four different cities on two continents. They will take on Tonga on Saturday in Kingston, at Richardson Stadium on the campus of Queen's University. The international feed is slated to be webcast live at www.irb.com.
 
Canada will then face Ireland – which is not a Pacific Nations Cup game – at BMO Field in Toronto on June 15, before travelling to Nagoya, Japan to finish the tournament on June 19.
 
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE AT:
http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=70669
 
 
Scorers:
 
Canada 20
Tries: Aaron Carpenter, Harry Jones, Ray Barkwill
Conversions: Connor Braid
Penalty Goals: Connor Braid
 
Fiji 18
Tries: Nemani Nadolo, Akapusi Qera
Conversions: Jiuta Lutumailagi
Penalty Goals: Setareki Koroilagilagi (2)
 
Canada's Roster for Fiji – Name, (Club/CRC Team) Hometown
 
1 - Andrew Tiedemann, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
2 - Ryan Hamilton, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC                        
3 - Jason Marshall, (Atlantique Stade Rochelais/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
4 - Jon Phelan, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
5 - Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish RFC) Vancouver, BC
6 - Tyler Ardron, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
7 - Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
8 - Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates) Brantford, ON
9 - Phil Mack, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
10 - Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
11 - Taylor Paris, (SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne) Barrie, ON
12 - Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
13 - Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
14 - Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
15 - Connor Braid, (Doncaster Knights RFC/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
 
Reserves

16 - Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
17 - Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
18 - Tom Dolezel, (London St. George's/Ontario Blues) London, ON
19 - Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
20 - John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
21 - Sean White, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
22 - Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears), Richmond, BC
23 - Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets, Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
 
Rugby Canada Summer Team Staff:
 
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Assistant Coaches: Geraint John, Neil Barnes, Clive Griffiths
Strength and Conditioning: Andy Evans
Medical Support: Isabel Grondin, Carrie Smith, Nicole Ainsworth, Rebecca Spiers, Danielle Mah, Michael Cook, Carla Brash,
Doctor: Dr. Paul Watson, Dr. Andrew Everett, Dr. Shelby Karpman, Dr. Peet Du Toit
Performance Analyst: Calum Ramsay
Manager: Gareth Rees
Assistant Manager: Mark Winokur
Media Coordinator: Bryan Kelly 
 
Flying Fijians Roster for Canada
 
1 – Jerry Yanuyanutawa
2 – Tuapati Talemaitoga
3 – Setefano Somoca
4 – Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5 – Wame Lewaravu/ Rupeni Nasiga
6 – Apisai Naikatini
7 – Malakai Ravulo
8 – Akapusi Qera
9 – Nemia Kenatale
10 – Setareki Koroilagilagi
11 – Aisea Natoga
12 – Leone Tabuarua
13 – Nemani Nadolo
14 – Adriu Delai
15 – Simeli Koniferedi
 
Reserves
16 – Viliame Veikoso
17 – Manasa Saulo
18 – Campese Ma'afu
19 – Iliesa Ratuva
20 – Sam Matavesi
21 – Aporosa Kenatale
22 – Jiuta Lutumailagi
23 – Iliesa Salusalu
 
Rugby Canada's 2013 Match Schedule:
 
CANADA vs. USA
Saturday May 25th, 2013
Canada 16 – 9 USA
Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton, AB
 
CANADA vs. FIJI
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Canada 20 – 18 Fiji
Twin Elm Rugby Park, Ottawa, ON
3+hour delay on Rogers Sportsnet World
LIVE in English/French on www.rugbycanada.ca
 
CANADA vs. TONGA
Saturday, June 8th, 2013
Kick off @ 2:00 PM local time
Richardson Stadium, Queen's University, Kingston, ON
3+hour delay on Rogers Sportsnet World
LIVE in English/French on www.rugbycanada.ca
 
CANADA vs. IRELAND
Saturday, June 15th, 2013
Kick off @ 8:00 PM local time
BMO Field, Toronto, ON
LIVE on TSN
 
JAPAN vs. CANADA
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Kick off @ 7:10pm local time
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya, Japan
 
USA vs. CANADA
World Cup Qualifier – Match #1
Saturday, August 17th, 2013
Kick off @ TBA
Charleston, South Carolina
 
CANADA vs. USA
World Cup Qualifier – Match #2
Saturday, August 24^th, 2013
Kick off @ 4pm ET
BMO Field, Toronto, ON
LIVE on TSN
 
CANADA vs. NZ MAORI
Sunday, November 3^rd, 2013
Kick off @ 1pm ET
BMO Field, Toronto, ON
LIVE on TSN
 

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

Communications Officer

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012