Ethan Pryor, one of the brightest stars of a new generation of Canadian rugby players, is one of many hoping to use the 2024 Asahi Pacific Nations Cup as a springboard to greater achievements for the national team.
In an interview with RugbyPass, Pryor spoke about his rugby journey so far and his short- and long-term aspirations for Canadian rugby.
Focusing on where it all began, Pryor spoke about growing up in the American Northwest and his dual loyalty to the American nation and the Maple Leafs.
“I started playing because my friend played it, and he kind of pushed me in that direction. So I started when I was 11 and I’ve been playing ever since.
“I started playing where I grew up near Seattle, Washington, and my dad is Canadian, so I was eligible.”
Like other athletes with dual citizenship, Pryor represented two countries in his age group. After wavering between the two countries, Pryor ultimately made his decision based on a number of factors.
“I had some training in the American system at a young age, but I didn’t like it very much.
“But Canadian rugby has been in BC for a long time (headquarters of Canadian rugby) and I know a lot of the coaches there from when I went to play and I felt a little more welcome there.
“I made this decision at U18 because I played 7s in the US and 15s in Canada.
“I was talking to Adam Roberts, who was the U20 coach at the time, and he was a huge influence on me growing up. I’ve known him since I was 13 and he just took me on.’
“I’ve always felt more welcome in the Canadian system than in the U.S., and it’s cool that my dad can see that. When we move to the U.S., he’ll think it’s cool to go back and play in the country where his kids grew up.”
Now firmly established in the Canadian camp, Fryer is one of a handful of young players who have already made an impression on the team and ultimately, Canada’s Rugby World Cup ambitions are his. Having spent most of his summers in Canada, Fryer has a strong sense of what makes a team tick and what ultimately will be the defining characteristics of a team that will make a run at the PNC this year.
“Our strength is the players coming through. We’ve got an experienced leadership group, but we’ve got a lot of talented young players like the (McMullin) twins and James Stockwood. We’ve got a lot of guys coming through that haven’t played much yet but are working really hard. So if we start putting them through more I think we’ve got a perfect combination that’s going to be sustainable and we can start winning games.”
As a key member of the New England Free Jacks team that won the 2024 MLR title, the 22-year-old Seattle native knows what it’s like to be in a winning environment.
“A lot of the Canadian players are on the Free Jacks (MLR champions) team, so it means a lot to be able to go straight into camp with those guys.
“When you’re on a winning team and you’re in that winning culture, you get used to it and you can apply that belief to the team.
“I think that belief will be a great strength for us, and I think it was because of that belief that we won the game against Romania.
“We went in and even though there were some shaky moments, we knew we could get through it.
“I can’t say what we lacked in the past because I haven’t been in the team that long. But I definitely know the difference between a Scotland game and a Romania game, and it’s clear that Scotland are a better team than Romania, but I think that belief has carried us.
“It doesn’t have to come from just Free Jacks players, but once you get used to winning, and you know what it feels like, what it’s like to prepare for it, what the morning before a game is like, and what it’s like to be able to play the game properly, I think that’s really important.
“You can talk about strategy on the pitch, you can talk about everything, but if you have a good game plan, it comes down to what you actually do on the pitch. That’s what’s up here (points to head).”
Pryor, who was lost in thought for a moment, was asked about a specific moment when he felt an inner belief within the team. Thinking back to the recently concluded MLR season, one game in particular stood out as the catalyst for an impressive postseason run.
“The most memorable game for me was the away game against DC in DC, and that win was one of the best wins of my life.
“We came out and within the first five minutes, maybe within the first minute, right after kick-off, I think they scored on us.
“So, it was tough from the start, but we picked it up again, got a little bit ahead, and when I came off, I knew the player coming in was just going to finish it.
“He just came out and I had complete confidence in him, even though I know we’re not that far ahead right now, but I have complete confidence in whoever is going to replace me, and I think we can replicate that with this Canadian team.”
Mirroring the tried and true format of the Rugby Championship, the PNC is a competition built on a long-standing rivalry, none more intense than the North American derby between the United States and Canada. Unsurprisingly, this rivalry has produced some of the greatest moments in international sport, from the great showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes in the UFC to the ice hockey arena. The two countries have enjoyed a great rivalry over the years.
Canada’s first international Test win on a rugby field was against the United States in 1977. Since then, Canada has won 39 of their matches against the United States, while the United States has won 24.
But the U.S. has enjoyed a significant lead in recent years, winning 12 of its last 15 games and drawing one, and Pryor and his teammates will need to find a way to correct that record.
“I’m looking forward to the USA game because I know quite a few of the players on that team and most of us are in MLR so I think we’ll be there too.
“It’s important how you show up on game day, and we have some great players on our team.
“I know, if we play perfectly, we can beat a lot of teams. So it depends on how we do it that day.
“The great thing about rugby is that any day any team can beat any other team. That’s all there is to it.”
Canada plays USA for free on RugbyPass TV at 6pm local time (2am BST).
Canada Men’s Rugby Team Match Day Roster vs USA
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Earl Marriott Secondary/Bayside RFC/University of British Columbia/Old Glory DC
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, Ontario) – Aurora Barbarians/New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
4. Isaac Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC/University of British Columbia/Cottesloe Rugby Club
5. Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Vancouver Highlanders
6. Mason Flesh (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds
7. Ethan Pryor (Issaquah, USA) – New England Free Jacks
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, Australia) – Dallas Jackals
12. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia/Vancouver Highlanders
13. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks/New England Free Jacks
14. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia/Vancouver Highlanders
15. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA
replacement part
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
17. Justice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders/San Diego Legion
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC/New England Free Jacks
19. James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC/Pacific Pride
20. Matthew Oworlu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals
22. Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC/Pacific Pride
23. Cooper Court (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
