They started out as adversaries in Island high school rugby, Luke Campbell with the Oak Bay Barbs and Noah Barker with the G.P. Vanier Towhees of Courtenay.

They continued as teammates with James Bay Athletic Association. Now they are on the verge of the national team as Canada looks for answers ahead of the last-chance qualifier in November for the 20th and final berth into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

article continues below

Campbell, at No. 8, and Barker, on the front row, were at their bruising best as the Canada Selects defeated the Ontario Arrows 58-28 at Westhills Stadium in Langford on Saturday evening. The Arrows are Canada’s first franchise in the North American pro Major League Rugby.

Canada Selects was essentially the national B team as Canada head coach Kingsley Jones looks for roster depth ahead of a summer Test series that begins June 9 against Scotland at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and continues on June 16 against Russia at Twin Elm Rugby Park in Ottawa and June 23 against the U.S. Eagles at the Wanderers Ground in Halifax.

The Test series is to prepare Canada for that last-chance World Cup qualifier in France.

“It’s no secret the coaches are looking for a few players who can make a difference, not by playing individually, but within the system,” said Campbell, who has three caps, and fellow 25-year-old Barker, one cap. “If I can be consistent, I can go to the World Cup.”

International sport was never far from mind in the Campbell household. Campbell’s mother, Marilyn Campbell, won a silver medal in rowing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and his father, Howie Campbell, was a rowing coach for Canada at the Olympics and, for many years, the men’s head coach for the University of Victoria.

“I saw, and heard about, high-level sport up close and saw how far I can go if I worked hard,” Luke Campbell said. “My parents were 100 per cent supportive and gave me the tools to pursue my goals.”

Barker has plugged away and, like Campbell, earned his first cap earlier this year.

“The coaches are giving us an opportunity here, with the ultimate goal being Japan,” Barker said.

But that will only come in steps.

“It’s all building to the Scotland Test match right now,” Barker said. “I’m going to give myself every chance to be there.”

Jones certainly liked what he saw as he tries to put his jigsaw together for this summer, and eventually, for November.

“Noah really put his hand up today and Luke turned in a really solid performance,” Jones said.

Jones also pointed to their James Bay teammate, Steven Ng, in the front row, and Conor Keys from the UVic Vikes in the second row, along with Theo Sauder from the UBC Thunderbirds off the bench.

“There are 29 roster spots for the summer Test series and these guys can grab some of them,” Jones said.

Also notable on the Westhills pitch Saturday were the Calgary Hornets’ much-capped World Cup veterans Gordon McRorie, at fly-half, and Nick Blevins, at inside centre, doing what you would expect from such experienced players.

“This was great preparation today,” said Jones, as he looked ahead to a crucial summer and fall for Canadian rugby.

“It’s a pity we can’t do this once a week.”

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com