Blog: Who Just Might Wear Red & White

With the cut-off deadline for World Cup rosters fast approaching, we at The Pro Report now take our best shot at naming Canada's 2011 World Cup roster.  Such predictions are always full of informed guesswork, however, based on all of our reporting over the past four years, here are the names of those we believe will be on the plane to New Zealand for Canada, in a few months time.

Those of you skilled at examining the composition of World Cup teams will quickly realize that there is no recognized back-up hooker to Pat Riordan included in this 30 man squad; where normally World Cup rosters carry as many as three. While this is true, both Jason Marshall and Aaron Carpenter have played hooker at the international level, and may be relied upon to do so for Canada at times this September, in New Zealand.

The squad also contains several names which are coming off injury, or that have not been seen in a Canadian jersey in some time. Luke Tait, Adam Kleeberger, Sean-Michael Stephen and Stan McKeen have all been unavailable to Canada for long periods over the past four years, however, they carry with them too much athleticism and experience to ignore. Depth of this quality will be required if Canada is to achieve all they hope for.

In thinking about who just might where red and white for Canada at the World Cup, we have done our best to design a roster which covers all of the necessary bases, while maximizing the choices on offer to the Canadian coaching staff.  Whatever the results of this coming week's announcement, we are sure that there will be exhilaration and disappointment felt in equal measure by many who have dedicated and sacrificed so that their names could be considered for this incredibly special occasion.

Good luck to all of Canada's hard working athletes, all of whom are an inspiration to young rugby players everywhere, who dream about playing for their country, under the bright lights of the World Cup.

The Pro Report's 2011 World Cup Roster

1. Hubert Buydens
2. Pat Riordan (c)
3. Jason Marshall
4. Luke Tait
5. Jamie Cudmore
6. Stan McKeen
7. Chauncey O'Toole
8. Aaron Carpenter
9. Ed Fairhurst
10. Ander Monro
11. Justin Mensah-Coker
12. Phil Mackenzie
13. DTH van der Merwe
14. James Pritchard
15. Matt Evans
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16. Kevin Tkachuk
17. Scott Franklin
18. Frank Walsh
19. Tyler Hotson
20. Brian Erichsen
21. Jebb Sinclair
22. Sean-Michael Stephen
23. Adam Kleeberger
24. Jamie Mackenzie
25. Sean White
26. Connor Braid
27. Connor Trainor
28. Ryan Smith
29. Ciaran Hearn
30. Taylor Paris

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