A native of West Vancouver who attended the University of British Columbia, Canada’s Harry Jones, centre, gets to show off his skills in his backyard, thanks to the inaugural HSBC Canada Sevens tournament.MARK RALSTON/AFP / Getty Images
Like a politician, Harry Jones kissed a baby, gave out hugs, signed autographs and posed for photos Thursday.
A native of West Vancouver who attended the University of British Columbia, the Canadian rugby sevens player usually plies his trade away from home in far-flung countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand or Hong Kong.
But this weekend, thanks to the inaugural HSBC Canada Sevens tournament, he gets to show off his skills in his backyard. Jones and his teammates were treated like rock stars as they met a small group of sponsors, friends and family who were allowed to watch practice at B.C. Place Stadium.
"I had about 30 family and extended family members asking for tickets," Jones said with a grin. "So I was only really able to help out my immediate family, and then everyone else got the tickets while they could. Because they went actually a lot faster than everyone thought.
"There's going to be a big Jones contingent there on the weekend."
The lower bowl, which seats 28,000, has been sold out both days. Organizers have made available 5,000 seats in the upper bowl for each day and report they are selling well.
"A lot of people, I think, are going to be amazed at the spectacle that's going to be put on on the weekend," Jones added.
The Canadians took full advantage of their role as tournament host to practise inside B.C. Place while other teams had to train outdoors in the rain. It's the kind of gamesmanship that is routine on the circuit, and Canadian coach Liam Middleton was all too happy to see his side benefit for once.
Middleton has made one change to his squad for the Vancouver tournament. Lucas Hammond replaces Justin Douglas in the wake of Canada's 14th-place finish in Las Vegas last weekend.
It's more of a tactical switch arising from the decision to move Conor Trainor, who had a fine showing in Vegas, to the backs from the forwards. Hammond replaces him in the forwards.
Vancouver and Las Vegas are the only two stops on the circuit with artificial turf, but the surface at B.C. Place Stadium, which was replaced before last summer's Women's World Cup, is worlds apart from the older turf at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"This is not far off grass … I'd say this is better than some of the grass pitches we've been on," Middleton said looking down at the green turf. "Sam Boyd was a pretty abrasive surface, not good for a player welfare perspective.
"I think teams will be happy with this. We're really chuffed with it."
All 16 teams get a short run-out at the stadium Friday.
Canada, which currently stands 12th in the overall standings, has been drawn into Pool B with No. 4 Australia, No. 13 Wales and No. 15 Russia.
Vancouver is the sixth event on the 10-tournament circuit this season.