Ngawati sought by Canadian squads

Canada’s gain is also Canada’s loss when it comes to Quinn Ngawati.

The 19-year-old from Victoria, the first Canadian-born player to appear in a professional rugby league game, is now training with the Canadian rugby sevens team. To do so, he turned down an offer to play for the Canada Wolverines in their bid to qualify for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Wolverines coach Ben Fleming called Ngawati’s loss a big blow but wished him well.

“He’s a great player and we would welcome him back,” Fleming said.

The six-foot-four 240-pound Ngawati left the Toronto Wolfpack, a transatlantic rugby league team, in mid-October to continue his rugby career and pursue a career in aviation.

He has been on Canada sevens coach Damian McGrath’s radar for some time.

Rugby league is the 13-man version of rugby. Rugby union, the more popular version around the globe, offers 15- and seven-man versions of the game.

The Canadian sevens team, back training after a labour dispute, is gearing up for the opening of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai on Nov. 30. McGrath, who is dealing with injuries to Harry Jones, Phil Berna and Mike Fuailefau, says Ngawati could figure in Dubai but is more likely to get see action in December-January with the developmental Maple Leafs squad.

Ngawati made three appearances for the Wolfpack after impressing in tryouts ahead of their inaugural season in 2017.

He saw action twice last year, making Canadian rugby league history in his debut against Gloucester All Golds in Round 14 of play in League 1 (England’s third tier).

After the Wolfpack were promoted to the second-tier Betfred Championship, Ngawati was loaned to London Skolars in League 1.

That’s where Ngawati made nine appearances and scored his first professional try this year. Recalled by Toronto in June, Ngawati started the final game of the regular season.