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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2007 25 OT grad Stephen preparing for Rugby World Cup National team holds practice at Appleby before leaving for France By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Sean-Michael Stephen stood along the sideline at the Appleby College field Thursday, watching the performance of his Canadian teammates at their final practice before leaving for the Rugby World Cup in France. He winced and then issued his blunt assessment. "Awww, they're awful," he said. Fortunately, for the country's rugby fortunes, Stephen was commenting on their singing ability as they delivered Canada's new rugby anthem for some visiting television cameras. While Canada is considered a longshot -- the most generous betting line for the Canadians is 1000-to-1 -- the national squad still stands a far better chance of winning the Rugby World Cup than it does Canadian Idol. For Stephen, the odds of even making it to the sport's premier event when he took up the sport in Grade 9 at Oakville Trafalgar High School must have seemed even more remote. "My parents didn't know anything about rugby," he said. "If my high school wasn't big into rugby, I don't how I would have gotten involved." No national team aspirations until recently Although Stephen made provincial junior teams, he never thought of playing nationally until he attended the PacificSport academy in 2003, where he earned a spot on Canada's under-19 team. "He didn't get a lot of playing time, but he came back the next year and he had improved his overall fitness and his aggressiveness," said Canadian head coach Ric Suggitt. "And, because of that, he got the opportunity." By 2005, Stephen had earned his way on to the senior squad and has continued to progress, earning more responsibility with the national team. He scored a try in Canada's Rugby World Cup qualifier against the United States, and last year earned man-of-the-match honours after scoring two tries against the U.S. in the Churchill Cup. "He's a complete package," Suggitt said. "His work rate is very good and he works in synch with our scrum-half, Morgan Williams." While Stephen may be harsh in his critique of his teammates' vocal prowess, Suggitt is quick to point out the 24year-old isn't perfect either. "He needs a haircut," the coach jokingly said of his 6-foot4, 238-pound back row player, whose shoulder-length locks could help Sean-Michael pass for pro wrestler Sean Michaels. NATHAN DENETTE / CANADIAN PRESS THE SYMBOL: Oakville's Sean-Michael Stephen (left) and Canadian rugby coach Ric Suggitt display The Symbol, a sculpture commissioned by Guinness Draught to represent the country's rugby solidarity. The national squad, which practiced at Appleby College Thursday, will bring the carving with them to France when they compete in the World Cup later this month. The hair has done nothing to slow him down, though. Not only has Stephen used his skills on the pitch to earn a spot on the national team, he has also parlayed them into a pro contract with the French club Bezier. Stephen said playing professionally has improved his game. "Just playing at that high a level for that long helps," he said. "Besides playing a few times a year with the national team, you don't really get that, at least not week in, week out." Playing in France should help Stephen settle into his surroundings for the month-long stay for Rugby World Cup. He also lucked out with the final practice being held in his hometown, especially after a month-long cross-Canada tour. "We've been living out of our suitcases," Stephen said. "We've been away for so long, to come home for a few days, see my family, my girlfriend and some friends before we leave for another month is a big plus." The Canadian squad, which also includes Oakville Crusaders Mike and Dan Pletch of Lucan, Ont., enters the tournament ranked 12th in the world and will open the event with a match against Wales on Sept. 9. The top two teams from each of the five-team pools will advance to the playoff round. Fiji, Japan and Australia will be the Canadians' other opponents in group play, but the opener against the 10thranked Wales squad could prove to be the key. "We know what we do well so we'll be sticking to our game plan," Stephen said. "If we start playing outside of our abilities, that's where teams like Wales will take advantage of us." If Canada's opponents do start to take liberties, the team will always have its secret weapon -- singing them into submission. Local sailors among Canada's best Two local sailors finished in the top six in their division at the Canadian Youth National Team Qualifiers recently in Hamilton. Joanne Prokop, a student at Appleby College and representing Bronte Harbour Yacht Club, placed second in the radial Olympic class division. Oakville Trafalgar High School student Ingrid Merry, a member of the Oakville Yacht Squadron, finished fourth. Both sailors are currently members of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club's high-performance team, and are coached by Oakville's Joey Hill and Mike Milner. Burlington resident Oliver Darroch, also from the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club, placed seventh in the men's Laser division. Ingrid Merry (left) and Joanne Prokop