Canada Defeat USA 15-9 in 1st Match of Pacific Series – Full Match Replay
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canadas Senior Womens 15s team took to the field against USA Rugby at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, earning a 15-9 win in the first of two Pacific Four Series matches that will take place this week.
Making her Senior 15s debut, Renee Gonzalez opened scoring in the 18th minute, finishing a quick move up the right wing to put her side up 5-0 over the Eagles, before the home side answered back with a successful penalty goal from Megan Foster to cut the lead to 5-3.
Karen Paquin added to the Canadian lead with halftime looming, converting a try after a lengthy defensive stand from the United States. MasterCard Player of the Match Sophie de Goedean early substitute for an injured Janna Slevinskyconverted successfully to give Canada a 12-3 advantage heading into the break.
Foster struck twice on penalty kicks in the second halfs opening 20 minutes to cut the Canadian lead to 12-9, but an Eagle penalty and second successful penalty from de Goede maintained Canadas six point lead at 15-9.
A pair of inspired Eagles drives at the line with under 10 minutes remaining would fall short, with Canadas defense ensuring they maintained their 15-9 lead through to the final whistle.
Its really great to be on the field again together, said Canadian captain Olivia DeMerchant. I think we started strong, we finished strong, the subs came on and they really lit up the field and held their own, so its really great to see.
In addition to Gonzalez, Sarah-Maude Lachance and Nakisa Levale also made their senior debuts for Canada, while veterans Alex Tessier, DaLeaka Menin, Emily Belchos de Goede and first half scorer Paquin all captured the 30th caps of their careers. Brittany Kassil also made her 20th senior appearance for Canada in the match.
Canada and the United States will face each other in a rematch on Friday, November 5 at Infinity Park in Glendale. Kick-off is set for 7:53pm ET/ 4:53pm PT. The match is available to view in Canada on TSN.ca or through the TSN app. For more information, please visit www.rugby.ca.
*Canada and USA Name Rosters for Monday’s Match in Colorado*
The November tour for the Canadian women kicks off on Monday in Colorado, at 6pm local time, 5pm PT. The game is televised on TSN through its app and online according to Rugby Canada. The USA media says the game will be available through World Rugby’s YouTube and Facebook channels. If you’re in Canada and don’t subscribe to TSN you may need a VPN to view the World Rugby feed.
Exeter is well represented in this match with the entire front row for Canada playing at Exeter and #7, #8, #12 for USA also suiting up for Exeter in the UK Premier league.
Both teams are made up of a mix of European pros and domestic club/university players. Both teams have a mix of 7s players as well. For Canada recent 7s players include Karen Paquin, Renee Gonzalez, Sara Kaljuvee, Nakisa Levale.
It will be a good chance to measure the relative strength of both programs with the World Cup a year away. It has been two years since these teams have had an international test due to COVID.
An interesting note on Emily Belchos, the starting fullback for Canada. She was inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, which is where we found the portrait of her.
Another note is that she is now Emily Belchos de Goede, having married Andrew, one of John de Goede’s sons. Which would make her in-law related to Sophie de Goede the reserve loose forward (#20) who is the daughter of Hans de Goede.
In January of this year Sophie was named one of U Sports Top 8 Academic All-Canadians, she’s a dual sport athlete, Rugby and Basketball.
Provincially Quebec are represented by 6 players, Ontario 6, Alberta 5, BC 2, New Brunswick 1, Manitoba 1, Saskatchewan 1, Nova Scotia 1.
Canada
1 Olivia Demerchant Mapledale, NB – Exeter Chiefs, Halifax Tars RFC
2 Emily Tuttosi – Souris, MB – Exeter Chiefs
3 Daleaka Menin – Vulcan, AB – Exeter Chiefs
4 Courtney Holtkamp – Rimbey, AB – Red Deer Titans
5 Emma Taylor Scotsburn, NS – HRFC / London Saracens
6 Janna Slevinsky St. Albert, AB – Saracens, Calgary Saracens
7 Karen Paquin – La Ville de Quebec, QC – Club de Rugby de Quebec & Stade Bordelais
8 Gabby Senft – Regina, SK – Castaway Wanders/University of Victoria Vikes
9 Brianna Miller Pointe-Claire, QC – Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
10 Alex Tessier Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
11 Sabrina Poulin St-Georges de beauce, QC – TMRRFC/Stade Rennais
12 Sara Kaljuvee Ajax, ON – Toronto Scottish/University of Victoria Vikes
13 Paige Farries Red Deer, AB – Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC
14 Renee Gonzalez Toronto, ON – Westshore RFC/University of Victoria Vikes
15 Emily Belchos De Goede Innisfil, ON – Westshore RFC
16 Gillian Boag Calgary, AB – Capilano RFC
17 Brittany Kassil Guelph, ON – Guelph Redcoats
18 Alex Ellis Ottawa, ON Barrhaven Scottish and Saracens
19 Tyson Beukeboom Uxbridge, ON – Cowichan Piggies RFC
20 Sophie De Goede Victoria, BC Castaway Wanderers RFC/Queen’s University
21 Justine Pelletier Riviere-du-Loup, QC Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Quebec
22 Nakisa Levale Abbotsford, BC Abbotsford RFC
23 Sarah-Maude Lachange Victoriaville, QC – Lons Section Paloise Rugby Faminin / Club de Rugby de Quebec
USA
1. Hope Rogers Prop Life West Gladiatrix 29
2. Joanna Kitlinski Hooker Colorado Gray Wolves 14
3. Charli Jacoby Prop Loughborough Lightning (ENG) 6
4. Jenny Kronish Lock Beantown RFC Debut
5. Alycia Washington Lock Worcester Warriors (ENG) 22
6. Rachel Ehrecke Flanker Colorado Gray Wolves Debut
7. Rachel Johnson Flanker Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 7
8. Kate Zackary (C) No. 8 Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 15
9. Carly Waters Scrumhalf Saracens (ENG) 4
10. Megan Foster Flyhalf San Diego Surfers 5
11. Sarah Levy Wing USA Sevens 2
12. Gabby Cantorna Center Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 8
13. Alev Kelter Center USA Sevens 13
14.Tess Feury Wing New York Rugby 6
15. McKenzie Hawkins Fullback Colorado Gray Wolves 3
16. Saher Hamdan Reserve Hooker Life University Debut
17. Maya Learned Reserve Prop Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) 2
18. Nick James Reserve Prop Sale Sharks (ENG) 12
19. Kristine Sommer Reserve Lock Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) 13
20. Elizabeth Cairns Reserve Flanker Life West Gladiatrix 11
21. Olivia Ortiz Reserve Scrumhalf Davenport & Chicago North Shore 5
22. Joanne Nana Faavesi Reserve Center USA Sevens 2
23. Ilona Maher Reserve Wing USA Sevens Debut
from Rugby Canada
October 31, 2021 (Glendale, CO) Head coach Sandro Fiorino has named the match-day roster for Canadas Senior Womens 15s team that will face the United States this Monday, Nov. 1 at Infinity Park in Colorado. Both Canadas Womens Tour matches versus USA Rugby are set to broadcast on TSN.ca and the TSN app, kicking off on Nov. 1 (7:53pm ET/4:53pm PT).
Canadas opening two matches against the United States mark the soft launch of the Pacific Four Series, a new womens competition that will soft launch with Canada and USA going head-to-head on November 1 and 5, 2021. The full four-team format will debut in 2022, ahead of next years Rugby World Cup.
Our team is very excited to return to the pitch against the United States, said Fiorino. The players have been waiting for this moment for a long time and we are excited to do so against such a top tier opponent in USA Rugby.
Canadas roster features a wealth of experience heading into their November matches, with a total of 398 caps spread across the roster, led by Laura Russell, who will look to earn her 50th cap. Teammates Alex Tessier, DaLeaka Menin, Emily Belchos, Sophie de Goede, and Karen Paquin will all enter the Fall Tour looking for their 30th caps.
from USA Rugby
Head Coach Rob Cain has named his match-day roster as the Womens Eagles play Canada in their first test match in two years this Monday, November 1 at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. The match takes place as part of World Rugbys Pacific Four Regional Series and will be dedicated to the memory of former Captain and Head Coach Kathy Flores who passed away last week.
Kick off is set for 6:00 PM Mountain Time with a live stream on World Rugbys Facebook and YouTube channels. Tickets are available at usarug.by/PACFOUR.
Roster Highlights
– Kate Zackary will lead the group as Captain
– Up to four (4) players could make their senior national team debut including starters Jenny Kronish and Rachel Ehrecke, as well as Saher Hamdan and Ilona Maher
– Four (4) USA Sevens players were named including Maher, Alev Kelter, Sarah Levy and Nana Faavesi
Kathy Flores Tribute
In memory of Flores, players will wear the initials KF on their jerseys, as well as black armbands to honor the legacy of an American rugby great. A moment of silence will be held at pregame, followed by a special tribute video at halftime.
Fans are also encouraged to help further Flores legacy via her memorial fund which aims to provide financial resources and support to grow the game. Contributions can be made at usarug.by/KFLORES.
Flores led the USA Womens Eagles to their inaugural World Cup victory in 1991 and served as Head Coach of the Eagles through the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. She dedicated her career to paving the way for women in rugby as she continued to lead the next generation as Head Coach at Brown University.
Comments from Head Coach Rob Cain
First and foremost, as a group we want to pass our deepest condolences to Kathy Flores family. Her loss is being felt across the whole of the Womens rugby landscape both in America and overseas, showing the reach of her legacy as a player, captain, coach, leader and person. All our thoughts continue to be with you.
Its been a really positive four days. The energy, excitement, effort and level of detail in the small talk is great to see. A lot of hard work has gone on between our enforced departure from test match rugby. Two years is a long time between games so we are extremely grateful to be back playing.
As support staff, we are excited for these players to express themselves against a very talented, physical and dangerous Canada team, taking another step towards where we want to be at the World Cup. Its great to start our journey back from the wilderness with such a historical rivalry.
We are so excited we have this opportunity to start our tour at home in Glendale, to both play for and in front of the USA Rugby community. Thank you to everyone that continues to support the players on their journey to Rugby World Cup.
The Matchup
Ranked No. 6 in the world, the USA Women will face No. 3 Canada for the first time since November of 2019 when both teams played their last test matches before COVID-19. Mondays fixture gives fans a glimpse of what theyll see next year at Rugby World Cup as both teams are set to meet in the Pool B finale in New Zealand.
While Colorado altitude may be unfamiliar to the Canadians, the USA Women have grown accustomed to such conditions through multiple 6-8 week Daily Training Environments held in Glendale during the absence of international play. Conditions aside, fans can expect an exciting and intense matchup as both teams go head-to-head to kick off the Autumn Internationals.