2011 University of Victoria Men’s Rugby 7s Men’s Roster | NAME | ACEDEMIC YR. | POSITION |
| Nathan Hirayama | 2 | Fly Half |
| Williem du Plessis | 2 | Wing |
| Sean Duke | 5 | Wing |
| Michael Fauilfeau | 1 | Wing |
| Tommy Hartlin | 4 | Centre |
| Bryn Keys | 1 | Centre |
| Tony la Carte | 1 | Centre |
| Phil Mack | 3 | Scrum Half |
| Liam Murray | 2 | Back Row |
| Beau Parker | 2 | Wing/Full Half |
| Keaton Styles | 2 | Wing/Full Half |
| Adam Timler | | Forward |
Doug Tate (Head Coach)
Rich Farrally (Assistant Coach)
Dave Docherty (Assistant Coach)
Biography The University of Victoria men’s rugby sevens team participated in the inaugural national invitational university rugby sevens championships hosted by the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on March 11–12, 2011.
The game of rugby sevens is only 14 minutes in length, with seven players a-side rather than the usual 15. “Some universities may not have great packs or front rows but could possess 10 really good players suited to the sevens game,” says UBC head coach Spence McTavish. McTavish describes the game to be a “fast & free-flowing style of play. He adds, “I’m expecting the biggest challenge to come from the University of Victoria as they have a lot of players that feature for the national side.”
University of Victoria head coach
Doug Tate adds that the sevens game requires a roster of fit athletes, typically speedy and agile.
Rugby sevens has become increasingly popular among international countries. Canadian National team sevens coach Geraint John says, “Strengthening the domestic game and the introduction of a University Sevens competition is ideal for identifying and developing players for the national team.
At the tournament the Vikes roster travelled with 12 athletes, including three
(Nathan Hirayama, Sean Duke and
Phil Mack), who were members of the Sevens Canadian national team.
UVic competed in a round-robin pool with McMaster University, University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO). Advancing to the quarter-finals, the Vikes held a round-robin record of 3-0, allowing only seven points against them. They defeated McMaster in an opening match 19-0, defeated UBCO 29-7 and ended with a 38-0 win against Calgary.
The dominating Vikes met the University of Alberta in the quarter-finals, overpowering them 50-0. In the semifinals, the Vikes played the University of British Columbia and defeated them 26-14.
Unable to play throughout the tournament due to a hamstring injury, Vikes scrum half and national member Mack was given the go-ahead to compete in the gold medal game against the University of Western Ontario Mustangs. At half time the Vikes were up 22-0 thanks to Hirayama,
Tony la Carte and a play that included all three National teammates, Hirayama, Mack and Duke. In the second half, the Mustangs pushed back with three tries. But the Vikes kept their pace as
Beau Parker scored the Vikes last try with barely a minute left in the game to close the match at 37-17.
Hirayama was named Man of the March with 12 points, a nifty dangle to beat his defender and a boot to convert, which increased their lead to 17-0 in the first nine minutes of the game.
International Success Mack, Duke and Hirayama went on to represent Canada and win the Bowl Championship at the 2011 Hong Kong Sevens tournament, part of the International Rugby Board Series. Canada defeated Japan 33-12. Duke contributed a try in the first half to give Canada a lead of 19-5. Hungry for more, Duke scored a second try at the beginning of the second half. Hirayama secured points with four conversions.
At the end of the two-day competition, Mack and Duke had three tries and one conversion each, while Hirayama locked up one try and nine conversions.
Game Summary National Invitational University Rugby Sevens Championship Round – robin record: 3–0
Quarter–final vs. U of A: 50–0 (Win)
Semifinal vs. UBC: 26–14 (Win)
Final vs. U of Western Ontario: 37-14 (Gold)
