Canada coach Stephen Meehan made eight changes to the losing side Japan last weekend in Niigata, with three players set to return for their long-awaited return to Asahi Super Rugby Pacific The opening of the 2026 Nations Cup.
After a 45-point loss to the Brave Blossoms, Meehan selected a squad that includes Austin Creighton and Emerson Pry, who have not played for Canada since the 2025 PNC third-place playoff against Tonga.
Ethan Fryer was also named in the 23rd game for the first time since suffering a skull fracture 670 days ago. Fryer last played for the Canadian national team on November 9, 2024 and has been working hard to get back to this level.
On the starting side, Dewald Kotze will pack in place of Foster DeWitt in the bullpen, and Creighton will be bench cover. 31-Test Scrum-half Jason Higgins is brought into the run-on side, with Spencer Jones at scrum-half.
Jamie Armstrong was brought into the First XV for the first time, after making his debut for Canada against Japan a week ago. There was another change on the run side, with Jacob Ince lining up at outside centre.
The rest of the starting side remains fairly consistent, with Sam Miller packing alongside Kotze and Kyle Steeves up front. Tri-Test lock Daragh Doyle combines with Izzak Kelly in the second row for the second time in as many weeks.
Coach Meehan has stuck with the same back three, with 68-Test veteran Lucas Rumball leading the attack at No.8. Mason Flesch will again line up at blindside flank, with Sion Parry the other dropout.
Ben LeSage is the most manned linebacker on Team Canada, and he kept the inside center in the run-on side. LeSage partners Ince in midfield, with Armstrong and Kyle Tremblay on the wings and Takoda McMullin at fullback.
It will be a very different challenge to the one we faced against Japan. The Japanese are very well organized, hardworking and disciplined in the way they play. Fiji they have that ability to call upon their physical attributes and throw that ball in all kinds of ways.
“We know they’re in a position right now with an interim head coach, we know Fiji have announced a head coach and they’ve brought in a new defense coach for this tour so I’m not sure how much impact Dave Ellis can have in a week or two with them,” coach Meehan told reporters this week.
“You always expect a free-spirited display and a challenge that comes in different ways every time you play for the Fijian team.
“There’s a few things we can do to try to negate what they are, what they want to do. If we’re disciplined and we stick to our plan, I think we can frustrate them for long periods of the weekend. If we can do that, we might be able to turn on our attacking game and see what we can do to disrupt them.”
“The key message from these teams is to always expect the unexpected. You have to stay diligent and disciplined in your defensive play.”
The Canadian team plays against Fiji
1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (8 appearances)
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (16 games)
3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (9 appearances)
4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) –?Clontarf FC (3 games)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (17 games)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (24 appearances)
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiubina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (20 games)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (68 appearances)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (31 games)
10. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (18 appearances)
11. Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish? (1 drop)
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (40 performances)
13. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (3 games)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (8 games)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (8 appearances)
Substitutions
16. Austin Creighton –?Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Cobras Brasil (3 games)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (8 appearances)
18. Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbor Rugby Club (1 game)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (3 games)
20. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / Peñarol Rugby (5 appearances)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (3 appearances)
22. TBD
23. Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers/UVIC Vikes (2 appearances)