Help arrives for Canada as Mack returns to lineup

The Big Mack Attack is back, and not a moment too soon.

Phil Mack of Victoria returns to the Canadian lineup for today’s Test match against the No. 15 U.S. Eagles at the sold-out Wanderers Ground in Halifax.

It is one of eight changes made to the roster of the Langfordbased No. 22 Canadian team from last week’s 43-20 thrashing at the hands of No. 19 Russia in Ottawa.

The veteran scrum-half Mack, out of Oak Bay High and the University of Victoria Vikes, missed that game because of pro club commitments in Seattle. Mack did play in the 48-10 loss two weeks ago to now No. 7 Scotland at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

“Phil Mack coming back into the group is important for direction, not only is he a really good player, but he was desperate to come back and play in this game,” said Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones, in a statement.

“And, thankfully, Seattle Seawolves have been very understanding.”

It is hoped Mack’s presence will help right a listing Canadian ship, which is 0-2 in its threegame summer Test series. The series is to prepare for the lastchance qualifier, in November, for the 20th and final berth into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“There’s a feeling of frustration and disappointment amongst the group,” said Jones.

“We played some young players [against Russia], as it’s difficult to find them an opportunity at that level, and we knew it’d be a risk against a team ranked above us. But we have to find out about each other. Unfortunately they weren’t helped by the senior players. And the senior players are frustrated. They felt they probably had their worst game.”

Still missing, however, are captain DTH van der Merwe of Victoria and assistant captain Tyler Ardron of Peterborough, Ont., to injury.

Flanker Lucas Rumball will celebrate his 21st cap by wearing the captain’s armband today for Canada. A couple of Islanders who have shown well will again start — Luke Campbell of Victoria at No. 8. and New Zealand Otago pro Josh Larsen of Parksville in the second row.

Noah Barker of Courtenay, Ryan Kotlewski of Westshore RFC and Shawnigan Lake Schoolgraduates Dustin Dobravsky of Castaway Wanderers and Guiseppe du Toit of the UVic Vikes will dress in reserve and be ready off the bench.

“Our work this week has been on the mental side,” said Jones.

“We need to make sure we play with the right frame of mind on Saturday against a really good U.S. side, who’ve just beaten Scotland, and are full of confidence. Hopefully we respond in a positive manner because we need a good performance.”

A sold-out crowd of more than 6,000 will be on hand today at the Wanderers Ground.

“We need to concentrate on our performance and make sure we deliver,” said Jones.

“The support last week in Ottawa was exceptional, and we felt we let the support down, so we hope to put in a much better performance this week.”