Six athletes from Vancouvers Meraloma Athletic Club are in Newfoundland this weekend playing for the British Columbia senior men's rugby team at the Canadian Rugby Championships.
On Saturday at 3 p.m. in St. Johns, B.C. plays the reigning Canadian champions on their home pitch. In their last meeting in July, B.C. defeated the Newfoundland Rock 46-21. Head coach Kris de Scossa is anticipating a hard-fought and physical game.
"We are playing the reigning champions in their final match at home and we are expecting this to be a turbulent and atmospheric occasion," he said, noting the return of captain Eric Wilson after an injury.
The Meraloma club member steps into the crucial, play-making role of scrum half.
"As we are travelling with a young team to Newfoundland, it is good to have our captain back as we will benefit from Eric's experience, said de Scossa in a prepared statement.
Wilson said he was looking forward to the cross-country travel but set his sights on defeating the national champions for second time this summer.
"There is a great atmosphere there and I'm sure it's going to be rowdy, he said. Hopefully we can carry out a similar game plan as we did in our last meeting with our forwards matching the power of their tight five and putting our runners into space out wide."
Starting at scrum half, Wilson will distribute the ball to a back line fit with lethal runners, , including fellow Meraloma athlete Bryan Tryer, 21, at fly half for his second game with the provincial senior mens team.
Brock Staller, 19, was part Meralomas 2011 CDI Premier League run to the Rounsefell Cup, holds one of the centre positions on the back line.
"Its an important step for our younger players to make that leap and we take pride in the fact that we have are developing these guys for the future."
De Scossa said of young recruits such as Staller and Tryer.
Meraloma players dressing for team B.C. include Wilson, Tryer, Staller along with Shawn Mercier, John Mackenzie and Josh Clarke. Mike Georgas is a reserve player.
Live streaming of Saturdays B.C. and Newfoundland match can be streamed online at http://playerv2.streamit.ca/PlayerV2.aspx?eventid=56. The game begins at 10:30 a.m. Vancouver time.
Twitter: @MHStewart
