Canada Defeat USA 50-12 Behind Dominant Scrum Performance
There’s no doubt Canada’s scrum set the platform for a dominant performance by Canada. The tight five of Brittany Kassil, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Julia Omokhuale, Laetitia Royer deserve accolades in this win. Sophie de Goede is returning to her Player of the Year form and #8 is definitely her position. Taylor Perry floated some beautiful passes out to the wing to enable tries by Aurora Bowie and Asia Hogan-Rochester. Hogan-Rochester scored a try in each game of the series and is a star-level player in both XVs and 7s. Alex Tessier was solid throughout, leading as captain. Canada fell behind early but didn’t panic and after Sophie de Goede scored Canada’s first try at the 22′ mark, it was all Canada after that.
It was 19-7 Canada at the half and Canada owned the second half 31-5. Unlike the NZ game, Canada were industrious at the breakdown and giving up turnovers wasn’t a factor. The backline still needs some work to catch England and NZ and to stay ahead of France. Canada will have a chance to evaluate their progress this fall when they take on England (Sept 19th), France (Sept 26th) and Scotland.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team used their dominance in the scrum as a springboard to an eight-try, 50–12 victory over the United States at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, capping off its 2026 Pacific Four Series campaign.
Canada’s win featured tries from seven different players, including two from fullback Claire Gallagher, who also added five conversions to lead the team in scoring with 20 points. Sophie de Goede, the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year, scored Canada’s first try after the team fell behind 7–0 early in the match. Asia Hogan-Rochester, in her 11th appearance for Canada’s 15s team, scored in the 61st minute for her 10th career try.
“Our scrum was good, and when you have a good scrum, you usually have a good day,” said Kevin Rouet, head coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “Our backs also moved the ball very well in transition. When you add that all up, you get a 50-point game, which was a very good day for us.”
“The connection between our forwards and backs was great, but we all know how important a full week of preparation is,” Rouet added. “Coming into this tour, it was a short preparation and going into last week’s game against New Zealand was also short. So, to have a full week this time was huge.”
First Half
The game’s first score went to the host Americans, who slowly worked their way up the field with nearly five minutes of possession before crossing in the ninth minute. The conversion gave them a 7–0 lead.
Canada appeared to respond in the 20th minute when Sophie de Goede picked from the back of a scrum five metres out and fed Justine Pelletier, but the try was overturned by the TMO (Television Match Official), who determined Pelletier lost control of the ball while diving over.
Moments later, Canada had another chance from close range. This time, de Goede went herself from the back of the scrum to score under the posts. Gallagher’s conversion levelled the score at 7–7. Just a few minutes later, the USA had a try of its own overturned after the TMO ruled the ball had been held up over the line.
The Canadians took the lead in the 36th minute, starting their attack from a scrum on the USA 22-metre line. After carrying to the edge through Aurora Bowie, Pelletier found a gap around the ruck to score, putting Canada ahead 12–7.
On the final play of the half, Canada moved quickly back down the field, and prop DaLeaka Menin powered over to extend the lead. Gallagher converted, giving Canada a 19–7 advantage at halftime.
Second Half
The TMO was involved again in the 50th minute, overturning what would have been a fourth Canadian try from Gabrielle Senft. Less than two minutes later, Canada moved the ball to the edge, where a clean pass from Taylor Perry found Aurora Bowie in stride. In her third cap, Bowie darted over for her first international try, extending the lead to 24–7.
Having already added three conversions, Gallagher then scored a try of her own, splitting the final USA defenders inside the five-metre line and converting it to push the lead to 31–7.
In the 61st minute, Hogan-Rochester crossed for the 10th try of her career, fighting through two defenders at speed to make it 36–7. Canada continued to build, with Emily Tuttosi scoring in the 64th minute, followed by Gallagher’s second try in the 68th. The USA added a late try, but Canada closed out a dominant second half to secure a 50–12 win.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Claire Gallagher (58’, 68’), Sophie de Goede (22’), Justine Pelletier (36’), DaLeaka Menin (40’), Aurora Bowie (52’), Asia Hogan-Rochester (61’), Emily Tuttosi (64’)
Conversions: Claire Gallagher (5)
A WORD FROM CAPTAIN ALEX TESSIER
“I mean I am not in the scrum but from the outside view they were pretty amazing,” laughed Alex Tessier,” speaking about the impact of Canada’s forwards on the game. “They showed dominance in the scrum and they were going forward every single time which I was really pleased about because as a back you get an amazing platform to play from.”
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada will assemble next in Europe at the end of the summer to prepare for their fixtures against Scotland, England and France throughout September as part of the WXV Global Series, unveiled by World Rugby and 18 national unions earlier this year, marks a transformative moment for the international women’s game. Designed to harness the growth of women’s rugby across the world, the competition creates certainty of fixtures, deepens international rivalries and lays a clear competitive pathway towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS USA
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats / Ontario West (55 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (43 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (71 caps)
4. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Saracens (8 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (24 caps)
6. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish / Bristol Bears (20 caps)
7. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (42 caps)
8. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (43 caps)
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (45 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (25 caps)
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa / Markham Irish / FC Grenoble Amazones (2 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (67 caps)
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (27 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC / Sharks (10 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (21 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish (2 cap)
17. Sierra Gillis (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria (1 cap)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Brock University / Brantford Harlequins / Ontario West (1 cap)
19. Ashlynn Smith (Abbotsford, BC) – University of Calgary / Rugby Club Toulon (3 caps)
20. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (5 caps)
21. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University / Quebec East (1 cap)
22. Mahalia Robinson (Fulford, QC) – Rugby Club Montréal / Quebec West (3 caps)
23. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University / Bristol Bears (2 caps)
Canada v USA on Friday at 5:30pm PT
Canada dropped from #2 to #3 with their recent loss to NZ, now they face their southern rivals USA who rose from #8 to #7 with their win over Australia. It was the first win for former Canada 7s coach, Jack Hanratty, who recently took over the USA women’s XVs. That’s an interesting side note to the match Rouet v Hanratty in coaching strategy. Canada were outplayed and outcoached against NZ, NZ adapted at half time and went from 14-10 down to dominating the second half 26-0 and claiming an emphatic 36-14 win.
Rouet has made only a few changes from the NZ match. Julia Omokhuale returns to the second row after a stint at openside flanker. Gabrielle Senft switches from blindside to openside flanker. Pam Buisa gets the start at blindside flanker. Sophie de Goede moves from second row to #8. The backline remains unchanged. On the bench Mahalia Robinson replaces Corinne Frechette as backup scrum half.
Things to watch in the match. Sophie de Goede is just returning from a long term injury, she has only played one full match and that was against #2 NZ. She’s getting her first start at #8, how far is she from returning to the top form that earned her the World Rugby player of the year in 2025? The backline was very one dimensional and predictable against NZ, so much so that NZ claimed two intercept tries in the latter part of the match. Will coaching staff and players be able to execute a game plan to counter defensive pressure from the outside backs, a strategy that NZ used very successfully. How will Canada perform at the breakdown where they were outplayed by NZ and subsequently gave up a lot of possession.
In terms of player selection, of the 30 players announced for the series only two players were given no game time, Taylor McKnight in the forwards and Maggie MacKinnon in backs. Rouet has stuck with previously uncapped Aurora Bowie as starting wing for all three matches. Veteran Paige Farries did get some playing time off the bench on the outside but only Asia Hogan-Rochester has produced in the backline with a try in each match. NZ started to target Bowie with their kicking game in the second half, and it will be interesting to see if USA were watching that closely.
Weather has been an issue in the series with two game delays in Sacramento and Kansas City. Chicago on Friday looks to provide better hosting with light rain in the afternoon changing to chance of a shower by evening and a temperature of around 19 °C.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team has won eleven straight matches against their rivals from the United States and will look to extend that streak to twelve this Friday at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago. Canadian rugby fans will be able to watch live on TSN2 and TSN+ with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Kevin Rouet has named his squad for the final match of the 2026 Pacific Four Series against the USA, making five changes to the roster that fell to the New Zealand Black Ferns last week in Kansas City.
“Last week was a wakeup call for us,” said Rouet. “So far, we’ve had a very short preparation time leading into our first two games but now we have had a full week to focus on getting back to the way we play the game and what has made us successful. The players don’t need much motivation for this game, it’s always fun to play against the USA but we have to follow our game plan and play to our identity. We have to be physical, execute on the small details of our game and control the tempo.”
Canada’s starting fifteen features one change following an injury to Fabiola Forteza in last week’s match, which has ruled her out for the remainder of the PAC4 Series. Pamphinette Buisa comes into the back row to start alongside Sophie de Goede and Gabrielle Senft. Julia Omokhuale, who started the last game wearing the number seven jersey, shifts into the second row.
Mahalia Robinson will see her first action of the tournament, having been named to the bench as the reserve scrum-half. Brooke Rempel and Sierra Gillis, who both made their international debuts for Canada in the opening PAC4 match against Australia, will each look to earn their second caps as they also start on the bench.
WHERE TO WATCH
Coverage of Canada’s Pacific Four Series match against the United States will be available on TSN2 and TSN+ starting at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS USA
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats / Ontario West (55 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (43 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (71 caps)
4. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Saracens (8 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (24 caps)
6. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish / Bristol Bears (20 caps)
7. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (42 caps)
8. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (43 caps)
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (45 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (25 caps)
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa / Markham Irish / FC Grenoble Amazones (2 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (67 caps)
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (27 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC / Sharks (10 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (21 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish (2 caps)
17. Sierra Gillis (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria (1 cap)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Brock University / Brantford Harlequins / Ontario West (1 cap)
19. Ashlynn Smith (Abbotsford, BC) – University of Calgary / Rugby Club Toulon (3 caps)
20. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (5 caps)
21. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University / Quebec East (1 cap)
22. Mahalia Robinson (Fulford, QC) – Rugby Club Montréal / Quebec West (3 caps)
23. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University / Bristol Bears (2 caps)