Canada Win Second Test Against USA 26-13: Full Match Video
Canada’s women’s XVs team is on a roll, winning both matches in Colorado. The full match replay and the Rugby Canada match report are appended below.
There are some key players starting to emerge, certainly Sophie de Goede at #8 has been dominant. Karen Paquin at openside had a strong game and scored the final try of the match. DaLeaka Menin, although only a sub this game, is showing why she’s so highly rated as she invariably breaks the gain line in the tight spaces. Emily Belchos De Goede had a good game at #10, so there’s depth at that key position.
The next test will be a big one next weekend when they take on #1 England.
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canadas Senior Womens 15s returned to Infinity Park on Friday night, earning their second win of the week over USA Rugby, 26-13 to capture the inaugural World Rugby Pacific Four Series title, which was contested only in North America this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States captain Kate Zackary opened scoring just minutes into play, followed by a quick response from Canadas Sophie de Goede, who converted her own try. Teammate Courtney Holtkamp followed with a second Canada try to put her side up 12-7 before the nine-minute-mark of the opening half.
A United States penalty goal in the 28th minute from Gabby Cantorna cut the Canadian lead to 12-10, but the visitors answered right back once again with a try from Alex Ellis and a second conversion from de Goede.
The teams would head into the break with Canada leading 19-10.
Karen Paquins try with just over 10 minutes remaining in the match all but secured the Pacific Four Series title for Canada, whose defense stood tall despite being down a player for the majority of the second half following a red card. Paquins score would mark the final points for either side, with Canada maintaining a 26-13 lead through to the final whistle, capping off an impressive week of play following a two-year hiatus from competition.
Its absolutely amazing to be back with the team, weve spent a long time apart, said Canada captain Laura Russell. This environment it was unbelievable to play here.
Canadas Laetitia Royer and Julia Schell made their Senior 15s debuts Friday night, while Paquin earned Mastercards Player of the Match after another strong performance.
We had some things to work on, we wanted to come out hard and flying and we tried to do that, added Russell. Weve still got a ways to go, were building right now, but we definitely wanted that fire in the game and were proud that we gritted it out and took home the win.
Canadas Senior Womens 15s now travel to Europe for a November 14th fixture against world #1-ranked England at Twickenham Stoop in London. The match kicks off at 10:30am ET/7:30am PT and will be available to view in Canada on TSN.ca or through the TSN app. For more information, please visit www.rugby.ca.
*Canada Names Roster for 2nd Test vs USA on Friday*
Canada won the first match 15-9 and the rematch will kickoff 5pm PT on Friday. Last time the match was available on tsn.ca and through the World Rugby YouTube channel.
It’s a completely new front row with veteran Laura Russell at hooker and Brittany Kassil and Alex Ellis at props. The all Exeter front row from game one would likely be considered the World Cup starters and it’s a chance for these players to push them for a starting role. Kassil and Ellis were the reserve props in game one.
It’s unusual to see Emma Taylor listed at #18, usually reserved for tighthead prop, she’s a second row. DaLeaka Menin would be the reserve tighthead and she’s listed at #19.
Courtney Holtcamp who was second row in game one is started at blindside, Laetitia Royer takes her place in the second row, joined by Tyson Beukeboom who moves from the reserves to a starting role in game two. Karen Paquin keeps her place at openside and Sophie de Goede who came in early in game one, retains her spot at #8.
Justine Pelletier comes in at scrum half from the reserves in game one and Brianna Miller moves to the bench. A slight shuffle at flyhalf with fullback Emily Belchos De Goede getting the start at #10 and Alex Tessier moving to the bench.
Paige Farries moves from centre to the wing and Nakisa Levale moves from the bench to the starting #12. Marie Thibault gets her first appearance in the series with a start at #13. Sarah-Maude Lachance is the other wing and Julia Schell gets her first roster appearance this series at fullback.
Regina’s Gabby Senft is the loose forward replacement, she started game one at #8 but left early due to injury. One of the stars of game one, Renee Gonzalez, is on the bench as a backline replacement.
It very much looks like coach Sandro Fiorino is testing out some players and new combinations before the team heads over to Europe to take on world #1 England and then Wales.
from Rugby Canada
Head coach Sandro Fiorino has named the match-day roster for Canadas Senior Womens 15s team that will face the United States this Friday, Nov. 5 at Infinity Park in Colorado for their second Pacific Four Series match of the week, presented by DHL Rugby.
Canadas Laetitia Royer and Julia Schell will make their Senior 15s debuts Friday, joining teammates Renee Gonzalez, Sarah-Maude Lachance and Nakisa Levale who made debuts in Mondays 15-9 win over the Eagles.
Mondays result was very encouraging for our group of players and staff, said Fiorino. Having back-to-back games gives us an opportunity to properly evaluate the deep and talented roster that we have. I believe this will pay dividends moving forward as we continue to build and refine the team heading into next years World Cup.
Both teams returned to competitive action this past Monday after two-year competitive droughts, with Canada securing the victory in a highly competitive and entertaining match. Sophie de Goede impressed for Canada, coming off the bench to earn MasterCards Player of the Match honours.
Canada and the United States rematch kicks off on Friday, November 5 at Infinity Park in Glendale at 7:53pm ET/ 4:53pm PT. The match is available to view in Canada on TSN.ca or through the TSN app. The match will also air on tape-delay on TSN 2 at 11:00pm ET/8:00pm PT. For more information, please visit www.rugby.ca.
CANADAS WOMENS RUGBY TEAMS MATCH DAY ROSTER
1. Brittany Kassil – Guelph, ON – Guelph Redcoats
2. Laura Russell – Bolton, ON – Toronto Nomads/Cowichan RFC
3. Alex Ellis – Ottawa, ON – Barrhaven Scottish/Saracens
4. Laetitia Royer – Loretteville, QC – Lons Section Paloise/ St-Anne-de-bellevue
5. Tyson Beukeboom – Uxbridge, ON – Cowichan RFC
6. Courtney Holtkamp – Rimbey, AB – Red Deer Titans
7. Karen Paquin – La Ville de Quebec, QC – Club de Rugby de Quebec/Stade Bordelais
8. Sophie de Goede – Victoria, BC – Castaway Wanderers RFC/Queen’s University
9. Justine Pelletier – Riviere-du-Loup, QC – Les Lionnes du stade bordelais/ Club de rugby de Quebec
10. Emily Belchos De Goede – Innisfil, ON – Westshore RFC
11. Paige Farries – Red Deer, AB – Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC
12. Nakisa Levale – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford RFC/
13. Marie Thibault – Quebec, QC – Club de Rugby de Quebec
14. Sarah-Maude Lachance – Victoriaville, QC – Lons Section Paloise Rugby Feminin / Club de Rugby de Quebec
15. Julia Schell – Uxbridge, ON – Guelph Redcoats
16. Veronica Harrigan – Lucan, ON – Brantford Harlequins
17. Mikiela Nelson – North Vancouver, BC – UBC Rugby/Capilano Rugby
18. Emma Taylor – Scotsburn, NS – HRFC
19. DaLeaka Menin – Vulcan, AB – Exeter Chiefs
20. Gabrielle Senft – Regina, SK – Castaway Wanderers/University of Victoria Vikes
21. Alexandra Tessier – Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
22. Brianna Miller – Pointe-Claire, QC – Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
23. Renee Gonzalez – Toronto, ON – Westshore RFC/University of Victoria Vikes