Canadian rugby team recalls Nanyak Dala and Mike Fuailefau for Sydney Sevens

SYDNEY – Canada has recalled Nanyak Dala and Mike Fuailefau ahead of this weekend’s Sydney Sevens rugby tournament.

They will replace Phil Berna, who marked his senior sevens debut with a try in Wellington on the weekend, and Sean Duke, who missed the New Zealand event through injury. Berna returns to Canada to join the men’s under-20 squad ahead of its Feb. 13 World Junior Trophy qualifier against the U.S.

Dala and Fuailefau are coming back from injury.

“Both are top tacklers and breakdown threats for us and that will be of good value,” Canadian coach Liam Middleton said Tuesday in a statement. “Nanyak has a big work ethic in attack and Fuly brings an outstanding step ability which is a nice addition to our attacking threats.”

Canada has been given a tough assignment in Pool A where it faces host Australia, New Zealand and Portugal.

Canada is 2-29 all-time against New Zealand but did beat the All Blacks 24-12 the last time the two sides met, at Cape Town earlier in the season.

Australia is 37-3-1 against Canada, winning 26-22 in Wellington. Canada is 17-11 against Portugal, including a 42-7 victory on the weekend.

Canada, which finished ninth overall last season, is in 12th place heading into the fourth stop of the 10-event season.

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Canada Roster

Admir Cejvanovic, Burnaby Lake RFC, Burnaby, B.C.; Nanyak Dala, Castaway Wanderers, Saskatoon; Mike Fuailefau, Castaway Wanderers, Victoria; Lucas Hammond, Toronto Nomads, Toronto; Nathan Hirayama, UVIC Vikes, Vancouver; Harry Jones, Capilano RFC, West Vancouver; Pat Kay, unattached, Duncan, B.C.; Phil Mack, James Bay AA, Victoria; Luke McCloskey, Castaway Wanderers, Victoria; John Moonlight (capt.), James Bay AA, Pickering, Ont.; Matt Mullins, Queens University, Belleville, Ont.; Sean White, James Bay AA, Victoria; Adam Zaruba, Capilano RFC, Vancouver.