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finally on my way to Canada! looking forward to meeting players and staff. Can't wait to get started. pic.twitter.com/KYRFLArlVn — Damian McGrath (@mcgrath_damian) October 22, 2016

McGrath’s immigration paperwork still hasn’t come through, but is going to join the team for training in Florida ahead of the Rugby Americas North 7s, which go early next month in Trinidad.

McGrath was coach of the Samoan men’s team until early September, when he was dismissed by the Samoan Rugby Union board. It was a decision which surprised many, including the coach himself.

The results of an outside review of the program have since been revealed to have been heavily positive in his favour, but one suspects politics were at play. McGrath said he was told out of nowhere thathis job was being re-advertised and he was welcome to re-apply.

McGrath has sought legal counsel over the dispute, but is clearly focused on his new task.

He’s got a squad with a solid core of veterans, but has a large group of raw rookies who face a steep learning curve. The good news: the Olympics are still four years away.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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