Canada Defeat Japan 41-5 in Round One of Rugby World Cup: Face Italy in Round Two
The Canadian forwards were dominant and paved the way for victory. Canada scored 6 tries, 3 of them directly by the forwards, 2 by scrum half Brianna Miller working off the forwards effort and 1 by the backs from a blocked kick. Canada weren’t able to generate an attack out wide which will be a concern in the upcoming matches against Italy and USA. Handling errors were also an issue with stats showing 15 lost turnovers in the opposition half.
Canada’s kicking game worked relatively well with 716 metres from 21 kicks compared to 483 metres for Japan from 20 kicks. Canada’s offload game was better than Japan’s 9 compared to 5 but the backline’s lack of attacking threat is reflected in the defender’s beaten stat which was less than Japan, 15 compared to 16, and line breaks 5 per team. Compare that to Italy against USA, they had 29 defenders beaten and 8 line breaks.
Emily Tuttosi was selected player of the match, her 3 tries were a result of individual effort and a strong pack performance. Next up is Italy, where again Canada will rely on a strong forward effort and hope to keep the dangerous Italian backline in check.
POST MATCH INTERVIEWS
Coach Kevin Rouet
Front Row Emily Tuttosi
#8/Captain Sophie de Goede
MATCH STATS
PHOTOS
Sophie de Goede – photo by Fiona Goodall
Emily Tuttosi – photo by Phil Walter
Fabiola Forteza – photo by Hannah Peters
from Rugby Canada
The Canadian Womens Rugby Team have defeated Japan 41-5 in their opening game of Rugby World Cup 2021 playing in 2022 at Northland Events Centre in Whang?rei, New Zealand.
Three tries to hooker Emily Tuttosi and a double for veteran scrum half Brianna Miller sealed the victory for Kevin Rouets side on the day when Canadas Womens team played their 150th test match.
It took Canada just two minutes to get their first try of the tournament, winger Paige Farries collecting a brilliant charge down from Sara Kaljuvee to score in her first Rugby World Cup.
Japan responded quickly, levelling the game at 5-5, but it wouldnt take long for Canada to restore their lead, Tuttosi crashing over the line for her first try. Miller converted to make it 12-5 after 15 minutes.
The scrum half then consolidated Canadas lead 10 minutes later, scooting through a gap to score from 30 metres from the line, though she couldnt quite find the target from the conversion.
Tuttosi then got her second of the game off the back of a dominant rolling maul, before Miller also grabbed a double with five minutes to play in the half.
Canada had more opportunities to extend their lead but were comfortable taking a 27-5 lead into the break.
Tuttosi completed her hat-trick 10 minutes after half-time, staying low to drive across the line. Captain Sophie De Goede converted brilliantly from the touchline to make it 34-5.
Replacement front row Mikiela Nelson was last to get on the score sheet, the loosehead prop dotting down from the base of the ruck, completing a strong display against a gutsy Japanese group.
Canada will now look forward to taking on Italy in their second pool game at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland on Saturday 15 October at 4:30 p.m. PT and 7:30 p.m. ET, which is 12:30 p.m. local time on Sunday 16 October.
Canadian Womens 15s head coach, Kevin Rouet said: Were happy with the start from the team but we know we have a lot to improve on.
With the emotion of the first game of a World Cup and the nerves, I thought we did the basics really well and we’re excited to show more next week against a good Italian team.
Canadas Womens Rugby team 41 (27) (Tries: Farries, Tuttosi 3, Miller 2, Nelson; Conversions: Miller, De Goede 2) defeat Japan 5 (5)
*Canada Names Team to Face Japan on Saturday in Opening World Cup Match*
Canada has named an experienced side for their opening pool match vs Japan on Saturday. Even though the captain Sophie de Goede is only 23 years old there are five players in the starting lineup over 30 including two 35+.
Looking at Canada’s last two matches against Fiji and Wales there are only a few changes. The front row is the same as the Fiji match with only Olivia DeMerchant missing from the Wales match. Laura Russell is injured and staying with the team as a technical advisor. In the second row Courtney Holtkamp has played both games with the coach switching between Tyson Beukeboom who starts this match and McKinley Hunt who isn’t in the match day 23, Emma Taylor provides second row cover. The loose forwards remain the same from the last two matches, Forteza, Paquin and de Goede. Ngalula Fuamba is in the reserves as is Gabriel Senft.
There is a 6/2 split in the reserves with only two backline reserves, Justine Pelletier at scrum half and Julia Schell who started at #10 against Fiji. The backline is the same one that started against Wales.
It’s expected the win will come from the forwards, how much of a win will be determined by the backs. Score differential is important in determining the seeding for the playoff round. Japan lost their last match 95-12 (45-7 HT) to NZ but split their games against Ireland in August, losing 57-22 (19-15 HT) and winning 29-10 (12-5 HT).
Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT on Saturday and is broadcast on TSN 1.
from Rugby Canada
Canadas Womens Rugby Team will face Japan in their opening game of Rugby World Cup 2021 playing in 2022 this Saturday at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei, New Zealand.
With Canadas Journey to the Rugby World Cup now complete, head coach Kevin Rouet has confirmed his first roster of the tournament, with number eight Sophie De Goede captaining the team at her first World Cup.
De Goede is one of 15 players in Canadas game day roster competing at their first Rugby World Cup, with the experienced trio of Tyson Beukeboom, Karen Paquin and Elissa Alarie named in the starting team for what is their third appearance on rugbys greatest stage.
The opening game of Pool Play will also be Canadas 150th womens test match, a historic occasion for the team which has featured at every Rugby World Cup.
Canada Womens 15s head coach Kevin Rouet said: Selection has been incredibly difficult because of the work the squad has done in preparation for the World Cup, but we are happy with the first roster that will represent the squad against Japan.
We have put a lot of focus on our own game and what we want to achieve, and we are excited for the challenge that Japan will bring.
Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT and 10:15 p.m. ET. on Saturday 8 October, which is 3:15 p.m. local time on Sunday 9 October.
WHERE TO WATCH
Saturdays game against Japan will be shown live on TSN 1. Coverage begins from 7:00 p.m. PT and 10:00 p.m. ET, with kickoff 7:15 p.m. PT and 10:15 p.m. ET
CANADAS WOMENS RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs JAPAN
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) Guelph Redcoats
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
4. Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) Red Deer Titans
5. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) Cowichan RFC
6. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) Club de rugby de Québec
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) Club de rugby de Québec / Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais
8. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers RFC
9. Brianna Miller (Pointe-Claire, QC) Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) Oakville Crusaders
11. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) Worcester Warriors
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
13. Sara Kaljuvee (Ajax, ON) Toronto Scottish
14. Maddy Grant (Cornwall, ON) University of Ottawa
15. Elissa Alarie (Trois-Rivieres, QC) Westshore RFC
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) Capilano RFC
17. Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) UBC Rugby / Capilano Rugby
18. Alex Ellis (Ottawa, ON) Barrhaven Scottish / Saracens
19. Ngalula Fuamba (Notre Dame de-l’ile-Perrot, QC) T.M.R.R.F.C.
20. Emma Taylor (Scotsburn, NS) HRFC
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) Castaway Wanderers / Exeter Chiefs / Regina Rogues
22. Justine Pelletier (Riviere-du-Loup, QC) Riviere-du-Loup, QC
23. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) Guelph Redcoats / Castaway Wanderers