Canadian rugby sevens men set to take first step back to elite HSBC SVNS series

By Canadian Press on November 17, 2025.

Interim Canada men’s sevens coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has named five debutants to his squad for the Rugby Americas North 7s (RAN) competition that opens Friday in Trinidad and Tobago.

The regional championship, which Canada won last year, marks the start of the Canadian men’s road back to the elite HSBC SVNS circuit.

Relegated from the top tier in June 2024, the Canadians had hoped to reclaim their place via a promotion-relegation playoff series in May. But World Rugby rejigged the entire sevens series structure ahead of the tournament, taking promotion off the table.

The New Zealand women and South Africa men were crowned champions at the HSBC SVNS 2025 finale in Carson, Calif., in May. The Canadian women finished third, beating the U.S. 27-7 in the bronze-medal game.

The new HSBC SVNS season kicks off Nov. 29 in Dubai, the first of six regular-season rounds leading to a three-event world championship that will decide the lineup for the 2027 top tier.

The Canadian women are joined by Australia, Britain, Fiji, France, Japan, New Zealand and U.S. in HSBC SVNS play. The men’s field features Argentina, Australia, Britain, Fiji, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain.

The Canadian men, meanwhile, start their climb back up the ladder again.

Canada opens play Friday against Barbados and Bermuda before facing Mexico on Sunday. Other men’s sides competing in the top tier of the 20-team competition at Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad, are the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica and host Trinidad and Tobago.

The winner moves on to the next stage of the promotion road, an HSBC SVNS 3 event set for January. A top-two finish there would move the Canadian men on to the HSBC SVNS 2 competition scheduled to run February to March.

“Starting a new sevens season always brings fresh energy and clarity,” Esterhuizen said in a statement. “This group has worked extremely hard over the past few months and a strong start would set the tone for the standards we want to uphold as we climb back up the global tiers.

“We know the path is competitive, but we’re committed to putting together consistent, disciplined performances.”

The five newcomers in Esterhuizen’s squad are Harry Corkum, Ian Jones, Michael Moloney, Taine Clague, and Thomas Cuzange.

Veteran Thomas Isherwood returns, as does Lockie Kratz who had been sidelined by a knee injury suffered January 2024.

Esterhuizen was named head coach of the Pacific Pride Development Academy and Canada’s men’s under-20 team in March 2024. He took over the sevens side on an interim basis after head coach Sean White’s contract expired in July.

The Canadian men will be playing in a companion invitational tournament in Vancouver during the HSBC Canada Sevens on March 7-8 in Vancouver.

Canada Sevens Roster

Elias Hancock, Ottawa, University of Ottawa; Ethan Turner,  Maple Ridge, B.C., Burnaby Lake Rugby Club; Harry Corkum, (Halifax, Halifax Tars; Ian Jones, Bass River, N.S., Pacific Pride; Jamie Armstrong, University of Ottawa ; Jesse Kilgour, Pacific Pride; Johnny Franklin, Bowen Island, B.C., Capilano RFC ; Lockie Kratz, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Michael Moloney, Lyndoch, South Australia, Capilano RFC; Taine Clague, Victoria, Pacific Pride; Thomas Cuzange, Toulon, France, Pacific Pride; Thomas Isherwood, Okotoks, Alta., Westshore RFC  .  

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2025.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press