Canada Defeat Wales 42-22 in Round One of WXV 2023: Video Highlights
from World Rugby
A committed second half saw Canada score an entertaining 42-22 victory over Wales in their opening WXV 1 match.
Canada’s influential captain and number eight Sophie de Goede wasted no time stamping her mark on the game, a strong carry into the 22 set up a series of patient phases near the Welsh try-line. De Goede waited for the perfect opportunity to pounce, spotting a gap in close to dive over.
However, it only took a matter of minutes for Wales to strike back through a well-worked lineout move. Carys Phillips was the beneficiary of a good fake jump and a flat throw to Alisha Butchers, receiving the ball back to touch down in the corner. Keira Bevan nailed the sideline conversion to lock the scores up at 7-7.
From then on the game became more attritional, often hugging the touchlines as both sides kicked from first phase to try and gain a territorial advantage. Bevan nudged her side in front after Wales managed to manoeuvre into the 22, by that stage it was clear that every scoring opportunity would be crucial.
Jasmine Joyce underlined her class with a stunning try-saving tackle on Florence Symonds, tracking back and thumping the Canadian winger into touch five metres out from the Welsh line.
Things burst into life on the half-hour mark, firstly Canada reverted to their quick ruck ball that overwhelmed the defence and saw Sara Svoboda driven over. Symonds then showed her class, scything into the line and setting up Madison Grant to score.
De Goede knocked over both conversions and it looked as though Canada had established a substantial lead at the break.
However, no one told Georgia Evans. The Welsh second-row took advantage of Canada trying to run it out of their own 22 and picked off an errant pass, racing away to score under the posts and cutting the deficit to 21-17.
Canada piled the pressure back on to start the second half, spending the first 10 minutes camped in the Welsh 22. Symonds again went close and was shut down, but McKinley Hunt couldn’t be denied shortly after with a well taken pick and go.
From there, efficient work at the breakdown saw Canada rewarded with a run of penalties and field position. Despite some tenacious Welsh defence, they were eventually rewarded with a lineout drive that was perfectly executed for Gillian Boag to dive over.
Wales weren’t done, Alex Callender diving over for a popular try to cut the margin to 35-22. But Canada were happy to soak up the rest of the remaining time and take the win, tacking on a well-taken try to Sarah-Maude Lachance right on full time.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team won 42-22 over Wales to open WXV1 in New Zealand, with captain Sophie de Goede contributing 17 points and DaLeaka Menin earning her 50th cap.
De Goede opened scoring in the fourth minute off the set piece, converting her own try to put Canada up 7-0. Wales evened the score moments later, then took a 10-7 lead in the 28th minute with a penalty kick following an offside call at Canada’s 22.
It took just three minutes for Canada to take back the lead, with Sara Svoboda putting the momentum back in Canada’s favour following 10 phases in Wales’ end. De Goede’s second clean kick of the game put the score at 14-10.
Upping the pressure on Wales, Florence Symonds broke through the Welsh defence and offloaded the ball to Madison Grant for Canada’s third try of the game. De Goede went three for three on conversions. A turnover in the final minute of the first half led to a second Welsh try, putting the score at 21-17 for Canada at half-time.
“I think it was definitely a bit of a soft start,” said de Goede. “I think we had the momentum at times and then we just weren’t quite finishing some of our chances, but I thought we did well to get them. I thought our scrum was very strong, some good momentum with the backs on the edge. We just need to finish our chances and be a bit more disciplined to make sure that we don’t give them easy opportunities.”
DaLeaka Menin earned her 50th cap for Canada coming on in the second half, just the seventh Canadian woman to reach this milestone.
“I think she’s been pivotal to Canadian rugby, especially athletes from the Prairies, from the small towns,” Emily Tuttosi said of Menin. “The Canadian scrum is a staple of our rugby and she’s been a part of it. I’ve been proud watching her from game one, and to be here and step on the field with her for her first scrum in her 50th means a lot.”
Sustained pressure and possession within Wales’ 22 led to a series of scoring opportunities for Canada, with McKinley Hunt slamming the ball down between the uprights in the 50th minute. Yet another conversion from de Goede furthered Canada’s lead to 28-17.
Taking advantage of penalties against Wales, Canada continued to see success off the set piece. Gillian Boag broke away from a maul to score, converted by de Goede.
Wales didn’t let up, scoring their third and final try of the game with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Sarah-Maude Lachance had the last word, receiving an offload from de Goede to score in the corner. De Goede’s sixth conversion of the game put the final score at 42-22.
“We’re building. We won, but we just need to be more clinical sometimes,” said Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “We gave them an easy penalty, and after that a simple interception at 60 seconds before half-time. We know that if we didn’t give them those gifts, it shouldn’t have been a close game for us. The win was what we wanted, getting the bonus point [for scoring four tries]. We only have six days until we play England, we know it’s going to be a short turnaround. We are ready for that for sure.”
Ashlynn Smith earned her first cap for Canada, coming off the bench in the 67th minute. De Goede was named the Mastercard Player of the Match.
“I think Ashlynn is going to be a legend,” said de Goede. “She’s performed really well since coming in. I think it’s her third camp and she’s been working really hard to get in that first cap and now she’s broken through. The world is her oyster and I’m really excited to see where she goes with it.”
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team faces England in their second match of WXV1 on Thursday October 26 at 11:00 p.m. PT / Friday October 27 at 2:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. NZT in Dunedin, New Zealand. The game will be broadcast on TSN3 and TSN+. Tickets are available for purchase here.
More information on WXV, including the full schedule and results, can be found on the official website at wxvrugby.com.
Canada Women’s XVs Team vs Wales Friday at 8pm: Team Announced
Coach Kevin Rouet has named his 23 to play Wales on Friday, 8pm PT. It’a a game Canada should win, they’re ranked 4th in the world and Wales are ranked 6th.
Generally the Canadian forwards have matched up well with any team but the backline haven’t had the skill and pace to challenge the top 3 of England, NZ and France. This will be one of the key watching points in this match, how the backline handle themselves and will they be able to put points on the board.
The #10 is crucial to a top level backline attacking platform and Canada have found a new hopeful, Claire Gallagher. Beside her at #12 is the former #10 Alexandra Tessier so Rouet is counting on distribution skills from both first and second receiver. Outside centre Shoshanah Seumanutafa is a power runner with Grant, Symonds and Lachance completing the back three. Sevens sensation Krissy Scurfield is in the reserves.
from Rugby Canada
Competing in the top tier of the new three-tier annual global women’s international 15s competition, Canada plays Wales at Sky Stadium in Wellington at 4:00 p.m. local time on Saturday October 21 (8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET on Friday October 20). Canada currently holds a six-game winning streak over Wales, having last played them in August 2022 in Halifax in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
Two University of Calgary players, one former and one current, could hit significant milestones on Saturday should they be called off the bench. Coming into the game with 49 caps, DaLeaka Menin could become just the seventh Canadian woman to reach 50, while current Dino Ashlynn Smith could make her senior international debut.
“A lot of hard work has gone into preparing for WXV and all of us, players and staff, are looking forward to getting the tournament started with a good game against Wales,” said Kevin Rouet. “Having competed in England just over two weeks ago, we have been able to have good continuity and momentum, and have continued working on refining our offence and defence. This roster is eager to get back on the pitch this week and implement the elements we’ve continued to work on as a group since arriving in Wellington.”
Returning for each of Canada’s WXV matches is the NFP Forward & Back Game Changers contest. Fans will have the opportunity to vote virtually for the players (one forward and one back) who they think were game changers for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at WXV, with a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card and a signed jersey. Details on how to participate will be announced on Rugby Canada’s social media channels.
More information on WXV, including the full schedule and results, can be found on the official website at wxvrugby.com.
WHERE TO WATCH
Canada vs Wales will be broadcast on TSN4 and TSN+.
TSN+ is the new stand-alone digital streaming service from Canada’s Sports Leader, and is home to an extensive slate of live sports coverage from around the world, including Rugby Canada matches. For more information on TSN+, including subscription options, visit TSN.ca/TSN+.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM WXV MATCH DAY ROSTER vs WALES
[injury update with Holtkamp replacing Royer at #5, Cline to bench.]
1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
3. Alexandria Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Saracens
4. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat
5. Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
6. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Stade Bordelais
7. Sara Svoboda (Belleville, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / Belleville Bulldogs / Loughborough Lightning
8. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC / Saracens
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / University of Ottawa
11. Sarah-Maude Lachance (Victoriaville, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Lons Section Paloise
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia
14. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) – University of British Columbia
15. Madison Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Redcoats
18. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs
19. Ashlynn Smith (Abbotsford, BC) – University of Calgary
20 Sara Cline
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
22. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / Castaway Wanderers
23. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) – University of Victoria