Canada in Tokyo – Phil Berna – Rugby Sevens

Phil Berna is convinced that Team Canada’s rugby sevens side is going to do a little more than just ‘try’ to bring home a medal from Tokyo 2020.

The 25-year-old has fought selection disappointment, serious injury and a global pandemic since making his debut in 2016, but he is ready and raring to go in Japan.

“I definitely feel it is my time now,” Berna said before his team departed for the far east. “I have put in the hard yards.”

The Olympics has been a massive goal of Berna’s since he joined the senior squad, and though omitted from the roster for Rio 2016 despite scoring three tries in qualification, he was not to be deterred.

“It was definitely a blow,” Berna said. “I was just trying to do my part and get the boys down to Rio but it was something I took with me throughout the years.”

Torn ligaments, broken bones and now no fans for the games in this unusual Olympic cycle could not keep the Vancouver product down. He and the team have lofty ambitions.

“You should expect us to be on the podium. It is what we are dreaming of,” Berna said confidently. “I couldn’t care less about the experience sometimes.

“It’s a bit of a bummer but we are there to do a job. Roll up three days early, get out of there as soon as the games are over. We are going to be rock stars, walking in, cleaning up and going home.”

Of course, Berna cherishes all the opportunities he has had on the international stage, and from travel to the social life, the former football player has embraced the sport fully after being encouraged to try the game by his mates in high school.

“I just got sucked in. It’s an amazing community and I took every opportunity that was given to me,” Berna said.

Team Canada has a number of weapons in its arsenal, not least in head coach Henry Paul.

The 47-year-old played elite level rugby in union, league and sevens competition and even represented two different countries, and Berna says he will be key to the team’s success.

“You forget how much of a legend of the game he is. He has a great rugby mind.” Berna said.

“He has worked hard just looking over film the past year. It’s crazy his recall. He can bring up one play from a tournament four years ago and he can dissect the whole play and whole match.”

It is all about experiences for Berna. He and his teammate Jake Thiel will even be documenting their Olympic journey on the pair’s ‘Snake and Goose’ podcast, but how else do you make memories of your career?

Random collections, of course, and Berna has a couple, starting with tacky T-shirts.

“(They’re) tourist shirts you won’t wear again but sit in the closet,” Berna said. “I have a neon green one from the Caymans, just this horrible fishing shirt.

“I (also) get those Starbucks coffee mugs. I always like to grab one of their ‘around the world’ series. It’s something to take with me over the years so I can remember I did this thing!”

Something else to take with him when it is all over will be the Olympic experience, and that isn’t lost on Berna.

“I have so many highlights to call back on,” he said. “Running out in Vancouver, I love the home crowd and support and of course the qualifying for the Games back in 2019.

“I know the Tokyo games is going to be the easy answer next time anyone asks about (my highlights).”

The men’s rugby sevens competition at the Tokyo Stadium runs from July 25-28, with the women’s side in action July 28-31.

Listen to the full interview – https://iono.fm/e/1077226