The Canadian menB次元官网网址檚 sevens squad is hoping to better their placing from the last Rugby World Cup in 2013.

Canada finished ninth, even though they had a record of 5-1 at the Cup, but because of the format were not in the top bracket, and were unable to compete for a medal.

Head coach Damian McGrath said the expectations for his team are high, but thinks a top eight finish would be an accomplishment considering the size of the team and injuries.

B次元官网网址淚 think we need to just have some calm amongst the euphoria going to the Cup,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淟ike any team and any competitive nature, weB次元官网网址檙e going [there] to win, but weB次元官网网址檙e also being realistic about our ambitions.B次元官网网址�

Since the last Cup, McGrath said the game has gotten faster, there are more specialist players and the athletes are bigger and stronger, so Canada will need consistent play to hang with the bigger teams. He said the B次元官网网址渢rue Canadian gritB次元官网网址� of his team shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be overlooked and if they play to their strengths they can make a run at it.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chance to pit yourself against the best of the 23 teams in the world in an iconic venue,B次元官网网址� McGrath said.

Harry Jones, Canada menB次元官网网址檚 sevens captain, was part of the team at the last Cup, and heB次元官网网址檚 ready to head to San Francisco and get to work, in what will be their 54th week of their season.

Jones said they have many experienced players on the team headed to the Cup, as they did in 2013.

B次元官网网址淒amoB次元官网网址檚 almost been able to pick from a full healthy squad, barring a few guys, with a few setbacks,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏eing able to bring almost a full strength squad is absolutely massive because then youB次元官网网址檙e not riding the same seven or eight guys the entire time.B次元官网网址�

With everyone at full strength, Jones said getting everyone touches and sticking to a simple game plan will help them against their first pre-round of 16 game against Papua New Guinea. Jones feels McGrath has put each player in the right spot for individual and team success.

This Cup Canada also has a different strategy, playing a tighter game to expose the gaps and spin it wide, rather than the wide-wide game they used to play.

Jones himself has around 20 family members coming to watch him play. He enjoys seeing the Canadian flags in the crowd, but it also makes him think about kids watching back home and what it means to compete on the world stage.

B次元官网网址淭o watch a Canadian team compete at the top level and say B次元官网网址楢t some point in my life, I might be able to do that if I continue playing rugby,B次元官网网址� I think thatB次元官网网址檚 a really cool thing,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭hey might not have had that in the past, because the platform wasnB次元官网网址檛 quite there years back, but now the platformB次元官网网址檚 set for younger kids.B次元官网网址�

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