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The Canadian men’s rugby sevens team opens play at the USA Sevens on Friday, looking to avoid injury while building momentum for the Vancouver stop that follows a week later.

Coach Damian McGrath is already without speedster Justin Douglas (concussion) and Lucas Hammond (ankle). Pat Kay, who scored a highlight-reel try off a restart against the U.S., at the last stop in Sydney, Australia, may not be able to go because of a turned ankle.

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On the plus side, veteran Harry Jones is back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in July 2018. Admir Cejvanovic also returns to the lineup.

The Canadians, who stand 11th after four events on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, take on No. 8 Spain and No. 1 New Zealand at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday before completing pool play Saturday against No. 10 Samoa. The tournament wraps up Sunday.

New Zealand tops the standings after winning two events and finishing third in another.