Ospreys new boy Jeff Hassler aims to emulate Wales" best Canadian imports

DAN BAUGH, Rod Snow, John Tait and Gareth Rees became household names during their stints in Welsh rugby.

And there’s another Canadian who has ambitions to match the success of that popular quartet – Jeff Hassler.

The Ospreys new boy turned to former outside-half Rees, who kicked the precious conversion when Canada stunned Wales 26-24 in Cardiff 20 years ago, for advice before signing a three-year deal at the Liberty Stadium.

“Gareth is a legend of Canadian rugby and he told me what a great opportunity this was because the Ospreys are always competing at the top level,” he said.

“Whether I participate straight away or develop, he said the time over here would only be good for me and for Canadian rugby.”

Hassler is only 21, but he has already been capped four times, scoring twice when the Cannucks beat Russia at Colwyn Bay last November.

One thing you can be sure of is that Canadians give it everything with flanker Baugh, now a fitness coach with Wales, and lock Tait vital players in their time at Cardiff.

Prop Snow and Rees did the same at Newport and feisty lock Jamie Cudmore has gone on to be European rugby’s most notorious “enforcer” with Clermont Auvergne after starting out at the Scarlets.

“With people like Gareth and the others, there’s a ton of rugby connections between Canada and Wales,” said Hassler.

“Two of the Canadian national team’s coaches, Geraint John and Clive Griffiths, are also Welsh.

“The first game I played for Canada Under-17s was against the Ospreys at the Liberty, so it’s been a full 360 degrees coming back here.”

Hassler is likely to see plenty of early-season action with Hanno Dirksen still sidelined by a long-term knee injury. Both have a similar no-nonsense style.

“I’d say I’m more of a go-forward, direct ball-carrier who likes to be physical and play with power,” said Hassler, who comes from Okotoks, a small town near Calgary in Alberta.

“The Ospreys have some good wings, but I’m assuming that if they brought me over as a power runner, they are looking to be a bit more dynamic out wide.

“Hopefully, I can bring that to them, but I just want to do as well as I can.

“The main goal is to do myself justice and help the team.

“There may be a bit of pressure, but I just want to develop and become a top-level player.

“If I can get to play in a tournament like the Heineken Cup I will feel I have made a big step in my career.

“So far, everyone has been super-good and it’s been an easy transition.

“The Ospreys have quite a young squad with a lot of youth and enthusiasm.”

Hassler admits that Canadian rugby needs players coming to Europe to help the national team develop.

“It’s tough to market yourself because you don’t get much exposure,” he said.

“In Canada I played for a club called Prairie Wolf Pack.

“I’m not sure what kind of standard it is compared to clubs over here, but in Canada it’s the main selection route into the America Rugby Championship, which is one under the international tier.

“It’s not going to hurt my Test chances coming over here.

“We did well in the Pacific Nations this year. We lost to Ireland and Japan, but had big wins over Fiji, Tonga and USA.

“We have New Zealand Maori coming up in November, so we are getting the Tests we want, which is good. If we can knock off a big side it will be huge.”

Ospreys new boy Jeff Hassler aims to emulate Wales" best Canadian imports