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Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada — holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. Should both Canada and New Zealand record bonus-point victories, the Canadians would need to win by at least 15 more points than the Back Ferns beat the U.S. by to retain their title. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct — stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).' —- Canada McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC. Australia Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (capt.), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Charlotte Caslick, Georgina Friedrichs, Biola Dawa, Caitlyn Halse. Replacements Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Emily Chancellor, Ruby Anderson, Tia Hinds, Trilleen Pomare. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada — holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct — stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).' — Canada McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC. Australia Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (capt.), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Charlotte Caslick, Georgina Friedrichs, Biola Dawa, Caitlyn Halse. Replacements Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Emily Chancellor, Ruby Anderson, Tia Hinds, Trilleen Pomare. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada women look forward to challenge of New Zealand in Pacific Four Series rugby
After a somewhat laboured 26-14 win over the ninth-ranked United States in its first outing of the year, No. 2 Canada faces a stiffer test Friday against No. 3 New Zealand in Pacific Four Series women's rugby play in Christchurch. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the defending World Cup champion Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. Friday's rematch is at the same venue, Apollo Projects Stadium. Canada coach Kevin Rouet calls the matchup 'a great test,' albeit one early in his team's season. 'Because it comes at the right time,' the French-born coach said. 'Beating New Zealand last year was very new for us … If we are able to do the same (Saturday) and beat them, that means we're going in the right direction. And if we don't, that's also not the end of the year because the end of the year is the World Cup. 'We want to win for sure, but no matter what we know we're at the beginning of the season.' New Zealand defeated No. 6 Australia 38-12 in its tournament opener last Saturday in Newcastle, Australia. The Canadian women had lost all 17 previous meetings with the Black Ferns, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. Canada captain Alex Tessier, who shifts to inside centre with Claire Gallagher coming in at fly half, called last year's win over New Zealand 'a massive step forward.' 'Now we're excited again to measure ourselves against them,' she added. 'To be challenge and to challenge them, because that's where we are now. I think we will challenge them a lot. 'It's huge to play a big team now in our (World Cup) preparation. We need those high-pressure games.' The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada goes into Saturday's game with a lineup reinforced by players from the sevens side that finished third at the HSBC SVNS World Championship. 'It's a strong group for sure. It's a good team … I think we're going to be way better than (in the U.S. game),' said Rouet. 'Practice-wise, we can see it. But after that it's about delivering on the pitch.' Rouet has made seven changes, three in the forwards and four in the backs. Front-rowers Emily Tuttosi and DaLeaka Menin and lock Courtney O'Donnell slot into the forward pack while Gallagher, Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds and Asia Hogan-Rochester joins the backs. Hogan-Rochester, Symonds, Corrigan and Olivia Apps, who starts on the bench, rejoin the team after helping Canada finish third at the HSBC SVNS World Championships earlier this month in Carson, Calif. Canada will be without tighthead prop Alex Ellis, who suffered an injury in training. 'We'll see what that means for her in the long-term over the year but it's a big one,' Rouet said of the injury. New Zealand veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who has more than 250 career tries on the HSBC SVNS circuit, starts on the wing in her first international 15s game since the World Cup final. The 33-year-old speedster is two tries away from reaching 200 points, which would make her only the third Black Fern to reach the milestone. Woodman-Wickliffe, prop Amy Rule and No. 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u are the only changes from the team that beat Australia. 'Last Saturday was a great stepping-stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side,' said Allan Bunting, the Black Ferns director of performance. 'We are excited to play our first test at home.' New Zealand has gone 4-3-0 since the last Pacific Four Series with two losses to England and one to England. The May 2 victory over the U.S. was the first for the Canadians since the WXV 1 tournament in October that finished with a 21-12 loss to No. 1 England in Vancouver. 'It was not our best performance,' Rouet said of the U.S. win. New Zealand went 1-2-0 at the WXV, losing to No. 1 England (49-31) and No. 5 Ireland (29-27) and beating No. 4 France 39-14. American Kat Roche will referee Friday's test. Australia hosts the U.S. in Canberra on Saturday. Canada closes out the tournament against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 23. That same day, New Zealand plays the U.S. in Auckland. A win Saturday and New Zealand will replace Canada in second place in the rankings. New Zealand would remain third even if they lose. Canada has an 11-5-0 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. Canada went 5-1-0 in 2024. Canada Roster Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Replacements Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England). New Zealand Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Alana Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt.), Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Maia Joseph, Ruahei Demant (co-capt.), Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Replacements Atlanta Lolohea, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian women to face U.S. in Ottawa in final home game before Rugby World Cup
Canada, ranked second in the world, will host the ninth-ranked U.S. on Aug. 1 at Ottawa's TD Place in its final home outing before the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Friday's announcement came just hours before the two teams met in Kansas City to kick off Canada's defence of its Pacific Four Series title. Going into the game, the Canadians had won nine straight against their southern rivals. 'We are excited to return to our country's capital and to play on home soil before we embark on our journey to England for the Rugby World Cup,' Canadian back Alex Tessier said in a statement. 'Over the last few years, we have really felt the support from Canadians and the belief in our squad. 'Canadians uniting in the name of sport is a powerful thing that we can feel when we are on the pitch, and seeing Canada rally behind us and pack TD Place will be the best sendoff for our team.' After the Kansas City game, the Canadians head to the Southern Hemisphere to continue Pacific Four Series play against No. 3 New Zealand on May 16 in Christchurch and No. 6 Australia on May 23 in Brisbane. In July, the Canadian women head to South Africa for games against the 12th-ranked Springbok women on July 5 in Pretoria and on July 12 in Gqeberha. Canada will play No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Belfast in its final World Cup tune-up. Rouet will take a 32-woman roster to the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji at the expanded 16-country showcase. The Americans will play in Pool A alongside England, No. 6 Australia and No. 14 Samoa. It marks the fourth year in a row that Ottawa has hosted international rugby. The Canadian women last competed at TD Place in the 2023 Pacific Four Series while Canada's men took centre stage in 2022 and '24. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian women to face U.S. in Ottawa in final home game before Rugby World Cup
Canada, ranked second in the world, will host the ninth-ranked U.S. on Aug. 1 at Ottawa's TD Place in its final home outing before the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Friday's announcement came just hours before the two teams met in Kansas City to kick off Canada's defence of its Pacific Four Series title. Going into the game, the Canadians had won nine straight against their southern rivals. 'We are excited to return to our country's capital and to play on home soil before we embark on our journey to England for the Rugby World Cup,' Canadian back Alex Tessier said in a statement. 'Over the last few years, we have really felt the support from Canadians and the belief in our squad. 'Canadians uniting in the name of sport is a powerful thing that we can feel when we are on the pitch, and seeing Canada rally behind us and pack TD Place will be the best sendoff for our team.' After the Kansas City game, the Canadians head to the Southern Hemisphere to continue Pacific Four Series play against No. 3 New Zealand on May 16 in Christchurch and No. 6 Australia on May 23 in Brisbane. In July, the Canadian women head to South Africa for games against the 12th-ranked Springbok women on July 5 in Pretoria and on July 12 in Gqeberha. Canada will play No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Belfast in its final World Cup tune-up. Rouet will take a 32-woman roster to the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji at the expanded 16-country showcase. The Americans will play in Pool A alongside England, No. 6 Australia and No. 14 Samoa. It marks the fourth year in a row that Ottawa has hosted international rugby. The Canadian women last competed at TD Place in the 2023 Pacific Four Series while Canada's men took centre stage in 2022 and '24. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025
