International Rugby League returns to Canada tomorrow (Saturday) with the Wolverines taking on Jamaica’s Reggae Warriors in a men’s senior international for world ranking points, at the Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton (kick off 6pm, local time).
Fresh from a European tour that saw Canada’s men climb from 29th to 17th in the IRL World Rankings, they face their old Americas rivals with honours even from the last two meetings, Canada triumphing 28–6 in Toronto in October 2024 while Jamaica won 34–12 in Montego Bay last November.
Wolverines head coach Aaron Zimmerle’s squad was selected following Tuesday’s East v West trial at Brampton and this week’s Wolverines National Team Camp. Inspirational captain Blake Mahovic returns after recovering from the injury he suffered against Scotland in Hawick, while Oliver Lenahan rejoins the senior squad following his U19 European Championship Shield campaign in Font Romeu, France.
Wolverines’ veterans Scyler Dumas and Dan Martyn also rejoin the team, while Lee Keegel and Scott Christian also come into the squad together with three debutants in Kyle Pickett, Aaron Kosempel and 18-year-old Jacob Williams.
“Our rugby league growth across this calendar year has been great with the tour of Europe and East vs West match allowing all our elite players to spend more time together,” said Zimmerle. “I have been really happy with the improvement in skill and tactical understanding of the game.”
“Kyle, Aaron and Jacob have all earned this opportunity through Tuesday’s trial and a strong camp. Making your international debut in front of family and friends on home soil is a moment you never forget, and I have no doubt they’ll rise to the occasion.”
Jamaica’s senior side could see eight players make their debuts, including four based in Canada - Malachi Davis, Khadane Thompson, Dave Spencer and Oshane Neufville – alongside Shaquiel Pollack, Akeem Kitson, Kahil Green and Kemo Mitchell.
A curtain raiser will see the nation’s U19s sides meet for the second time, the young Reggae Warriors prevailing 42-24 when they first met in Kingston last November.
JRL director of rugby, Romeo Montieth, commented: “We are looking forward to some exciting games. It’s very hard to get away wins and no doubt we will find the going tough. However, our teams are highly motivated and ready to make Jamaica proud.”
Canada (squad): Kyle PICKETT, Scyler DUMAS, Lee KEEGEL, Scott CHRISTIAN, Jason CHUCK (Brampton Beavers), Henry DO (Brampton Beavers ), Ethan CHANTLER, Charles CURRAN, Gregory WISE (Brantford Broncos), Qais NASSERI (Durham Dawgs), Augustus MURPHY (Royal City Goons), AJ KOSEMPEL, Richard LEBEL, Mitchell TALBOT (Tavistock Trash Pandas), Daniel MARTYN (Toronto City Saints), Fynn MURPHY, Jacob WILLIAMS, Oliver LENAHAN (Vancouver Valley Vipers), Blake MAHOVIC (Whistler Wolves)
Jamaica (squad): Javian BRYAN, Kymani GREEN, Tremaine GRIFFITHS-THOMPSON, Oshane NEUFVILLE, Khadane THOMPSON, Tyronie ROWE, Dave SPENCER (Brampton Beavers), Chevaughn BAILEY, Shaqueil POLLACK, Jenson MORRIS, Adrian THOMAS, Marvin THOMPSON (Duhaney Park Redsharks), Mohenjo THOMPSON (Durham Dawgs), Adrian HALL, Akeem KITSON, Michael PEARSON (Liguanea Dragons), Kahil GREEN (St Catherine Thundercats), Malachi DAVIS (Toronto Saints), Kemo MITCHELL (West Kingston Hyenas)