2015 Women’s Rugby Super Series Preview

The Women`s Rugby Super Series kicks off Rugby Week in Calgary on Saturday, as four of the top sides in the world compete against each other in a new round-robin competition. The tournament will take place over three days, all in Alberta, Canada, moving north through Red Deer and finally Edmonton.

World Cup finalists Canada and England, along with New Zealand and the USA will take part. Of the four, only England have played any tests since the 2014 tournament’s conclusion in August. With the next World Cup due to take place only two years from now, preparations have already begun and many new faces are expected to appear in the Super Series with an eye towards Ireland in 2017.

All games will be streamed live, and can be seen at the link below:

http://www.livestream.com/rugbycanadaofficial

FIXTURES
June 27 – USA v England, Calgary Rugby Park (16:00 Calgary)
June 27 – Canada v New Zealand, Calgary Rugby Park (18:30 Calgary)

July 1 – New Zealand v England, Red Deer Rugby Club (16:00 Red Deer)
July 1 – Canada v USA, Red Deer Rugby Club (18:30 Red Deer)

July 5 – New Zealand v USA, Ellerslie Park (16:00 Edmonton)
July 5 – Canada v England, Ellerslie Park (18:30 Edmonton)

 

 

CANADA

This will be Canada’s first action the 2014 World Cup. In that tournament they beat Spain, Samoa, and drew with England in the pool stages, before beating France in the semi-final to earn a spot in the final. England got the best of them the second time, winning 21-9 in an absorbing contest that only slipped away with an Emily Scarratt try in the 74th minute.

Of the five players named to the tournament Dream Team, only Andrea Burk remains. Captain Kelly Russell, flanker Karen Paquin, and World Rugby Women’s player of the year Magali Harvey are instead preparing with the sevens team ahead of the Pan Am Games in Toronto. With 14 uncapped players and a new captain it is a mix of youth and experience from head coach Francois Ratier.

CAPTAIN: 26-year-old Laura Russell steps into big sister’s Kelly’s shoes as she takes over the leadership of an inexperienced team. She also gets her chance in the no1 jersey left vacant by the absence of World Cup star Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid. Noted for her mobility, the younger Russell has been around the squad for three years and seems ready to step up.

KEY PLAYERS: World Cup engine room pair Maria Samson and Latoya Blackwood are back and should keep the set pieces on an even keel. Dynamic flanker Barb Mervin will be be ready to make up for lost time after missing the finals with a broken hand. Tournament dream team centre Andrea Burk is very strong in the contact area could be asked to kick for goal. Julianne Zussman is an exciting attacker that can play a number of positions in the backline.

ONE TO WATCH: With Kelly Russell away, Tyson Beukeboom should get a chance to start in the pivotal no8 jersey. Cousin of senior men’s lock Brett and daughter of former NHLer Jeff, the former St. FX star is tall and abrasive, a good combination for a back row forward.

HEAD COACH: Francois Ratier (3rd year)

from Rugby Canada

“These [selection] camps went well. Players performed fitness tests, worked on basic skills, decision making and team culture. It’s important to have these regional camps to maintain a high performance environment during the off season.

“It’s always important to play the best in the world. New Zealand and England have both new coaches so we will see what they have to offer. They all will be strong, there’s no doubt about that.

“We are two years away from the next World Cup. It is time for young or new players to have their chance and for the returning players to take the lead. I am expecting a strong chemistry during this Super Series. Team culture is the key and the team will always be more important than individuals.

“It’s always an honour to lead the national team. 2014 was great but it’s the past. The Super Series will be a new chapter in our story.”

FORWARDS: *Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock), DaLeaka Menin (Hornets), Tiffany Picketts (Abbotsford), *Laura Russell (capt., Nomads), *Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland), Carolyn McEwan (Burnaby), *Latoya Blackwood (SABRFC), Camille Provençal-Aubé (Abénakis), *Maria Samson (Hornets), Emma Taylor (HRFC), *Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians), *Barbara Mervin (Velox), *Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians), *Cindy Nelles (Belleville)

BACKS: Chelsea Guthrie (Druids), Lori Josephson (Aurora Barbarians), Jess Neilson (Meraloma), Alex Tessier (Montreal Barbarians), *Julianne Zussman (TMR), *Andrea Burk (Capilano), Lisa Gauthier (SABRFC), Natasha Smith (Barrhaven Scottish), *Amanda Thornborough (Brandon Barbarians), Julia Folk (Rogues), *Brittany Waters (Meraloma), Gillian Allen (Kirin), Katie McNally (Velox)

*2014 World Cup squad member

 

 

ENGLAND

England are reigning World Champions, defeating Canada in the final at the Stade Jean Bouin in front of 20,000 spectators in Paris. Of course their only hiccup of the tournament was to Canada in pool play, a 13-all draw in Marcoussis.

With a number of key players injured or retired, the team struggled in this year’s Six Nations tournament, winning only two from five games. A disappointing opening loss to Wales set the tone and they never seemed to recover.

CAPTAIN: England have lost Katy McLean through injury, but have Sarah Hunter back in the saddle after missing the Six Nations. A commanding figure at no8, she will guarantee her side is moving forward from the back of the scrum.

KEY PLAYERS: One of the world’s most experienced campaigners, Rochelle Clark has been a staple at prop for more than a decade. Hooker Vicky Fleetwood is quick and fit, and already approaching 50 caps at only 25 years of age. A plumber by trade, Marlie Packer was one of the best flankers in the tournament in France. Ceri Large couldn’t quite crack the startling lineup last year, but will be a fixture either at flyhalf or in the midfield in this series. Emily Scarratt is a world class player with size and speed at centre.

ONE TO WATCH: Megan Jones is only 18 years old but already a sevens international and there are big hopes for her in the future. With more experienced options at flyhalf available her chances might be limited, but all eyes will be on her when she takes the field.

HEAD COACH: Simon Middleton (1st year)

from England Rugby

“This is a really exciting squad and we are really looking forward to developing as a team, and playing against some stellar opposition.

“We have our sights set on the 2017 Rugby World Cup so I am really excited to see how new players like Lark Davies and Megan Jones fare on this tour as this is their opportunity to step up.
Young players like Bianca Blackburn, Abbie Brown and Amy Cokayne also showed their potential during the Six Nations. By nurturing this talent now, we will bolster the depth in our squad which is really exciting for the future.

“The most important thing for us is our performance and developing that winning mentality. With this new squad, we are working hard to develop the style of play we want to play, and finding out as much as we can about each other. I have confidence in this squad and I know that if we get the performance right, the results will come.”

FORWARDS: *Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Victoria Cornborough (Richmond), *Laura Keates (Worcester), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Lark Davies (Worcester), *Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Abbie Scott (Darlington), *Tamara Taylor (Darlington), *Heather Fisher (Thurrock), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), *Sarah Hunter (capt., Lichfield), *Alex Matthews (Richmond), *Marlie Packer (Wasps)

BACKS: Bianca Blackburn (Worcester), Leanne Riley (Saracens), *Ceri Large (Worcester), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Emily Scott (Thurrock), Megan Jones (Bristol), Rachel Lund (Worcester), *Amber Reed (Bristol), *Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Fiona Pocock (Richmond), *Lydia Thompson (Worcester), *Kay Wilson (Thurrock), Katie Mason (Bristol)

*2014 World Cup squad member

 

 

NEW ZEALAND

Heading in as one of the favorites, New Zealand were famously upset by Ireland in Marcoussis and despite finishing strongly finished a disappointing 5th place. The majority of that group has either retired or been left out, but the strongest players are back again looking for redemption

New head coach Greg Smith has had an inauspicious start to his Black Ferns tenure having been suspended for 14 weeks for verbally abusing an official. Glenn Moore – assistant coach of the Blues in Super Rugby – has been brought to act as interim head coach for this tour.

CAPTAIN: Auckland police detective Fiao’o Fa’amausili has spent more than a dozen years at the top. Samoan-born and hugely combative, she will have the team firing from minute one.

KEY PLAYERS: Tighthead prop Aleisha Nelson is big an immensely strong in the scrum. Eloise Blackwell is a dominant lineout figure and approaching world class status. Justine Lavea is like any flanker from New Zealand – physical and relentless. Honey Hireme is one of the stars of world rugby, a devastating runner ball in hand. Fullback Selica Winiata is small but very rapid and an ability to change direction without losing momentum.

ONE TO WATCH: Only 20 years old but arriving with a lot of hype, Stacey Waaka looks like a future star. Sister of Taranaki flyhalf Beaudein, her footwork and running lines should keep defenders guessing.

HEAD COACH: Greg Smith (1st year)

from New Zealand Rugby

“This competitive series represents the start of our build up to the 2017 Rugby World Cup, and not surprisingly a number of senior players retired after last year’s tournament while a number of others are out of contention due to injury.

“Luckily there are a lot of exciting young players who are working very hard to earn an international spot. We have two top netballers in the squad – Charmaine Smith and Keri Hayden – who see an opportunity to represent their country. They have made the squad because of their fitness, skills, and athleticism.

“Over the past six months we’ve seen 110 women from all over New Zealand at our regional programmes and it’s clear from the enthusiasm of players that it’s a very exciting time for women’s rugby. There is a real sense of momentum out there.”

FORWARDS: Aldora Itunu (Auckland), Toka Natua (Waikato), *Aleisha Nelson (Auckland), Sosoli Talawadua (Waikato), *Fiao’o Fa’amausili (capt., Auckland), *Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Counties Manukau), Teresa Te Tamaki (Waikato), *Eloise Blackwell (Auckland), Charlene Halapua (Auckland), Charmaine Smith (North Harbour), *Linda Itunu (Auckland), Lesley Ketu (Waikato), *Justine Lavea (Counties Manukau), Angie Sisifa (Otago)

BACKS: *Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), *Emma Jensen (Auckland), Arihiana Marino (Counties Manukau), Kiritapu Demant (Auckland), *Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (Counties Manukau), Chelsea Alley (North Harbour), Janna Vaughan (Manawatu), Stacey Waaka (Waikato), Keri Hayden (Manawatu), *Honey Hireme (Waikato), *Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), *Silica Winiata (Manawatu)

*2014 World Cup squad member

 

 

USA

The Women’s Eagles started strongly at the World Cup, defeating Wales and Kazakhstan before running into a black wall against New Zealand. A painfully narrow defeat against Australia led them straight back to the Black Ferns, and it was a tough way to end the tournament.

Pete Steinberg has retained a mere five players from that tournament, using the new National All-Star Competition to select virtually an entirely new team. Only five others have senior international experience, so there are plenty of questions that will be asked, and answered, in the coming days.

CAPTAIN: With so many new players, the Women’s Eagles have elected not to choose a captain for the tournament, instead picking a match-day captain from a leadership group comprised of experienced players. It’s an interesting decision and one that coach Steinberg hopes will help identify his top leaders going forward.

KEY PLAYERS: World Cup front rowers Sarah Chobot, Katy Augustyn, and Dream Team contender Hope Rogers will play a major role in the stability of the pack. Kimber Rozier continues as flyhalf and will direct the play. Deven Owsiany was a reserve player in France but should get the nod at scrumhalf here. Sam Pankey is a versatile and experienced player who thrives in the contact area.

ONE TO WATCH: Harvard outside back Cheta Emba has only been playing rugby for two years, which tells you what kind of athlete she is. Strongly built and with a solid boot – she was previously a goaltender for the varsity soccer team.

HEAD COACH: Pete Steinberg (5th year)

from USA Rugby

“Having over 200 players in one place [at the National All-Star Competition] was a tremendous selection vehicle. The standard of play was very strong throughout and if we can get more games like that for our players it will help us compete internationally.

“The skill level in players that are simply playing a lot more is very noticeable, no matter if it’s sevens or 15s. A great example of this is in Jane Paar and Bianca Dala, who both trained out at the OTC [Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista].

“We have an experienced core and an exciting new crop of players. The new players have very different pathways to being selected, in terms of time played, but we are excited to see what they can do in Canada. The Super Series also provides players with an opportunity to lead. With the team changing so much, these games will be a challenge in terms of performance, but they will also challenge the players that want to lead.”

FORWARDS: Catie Benson (Penn State), *Sarah Chobot (Glendale Raptors), *Hope Rogers (Penn State), *Katy Augustyn (Berkeley All Blues), Molly Kinsella (Richmond), Sam Luther (Beantown), Laura Miller (Glendale Raptors), Alycia Washington (Scioto Valley), Stacey Bridges (Twin Cities Amazons), Elizabeth Cairns (Penn State), Tiffany Faaee (NYRC), Jordan Gray (BYU), Joanna Kitlinski (Glendale Raptors), Sam Pankey (DC Furies)

BACKS: Jennifer Lui (Chicago North Shore), *Deven Owsiany (San Diego Surfers), *Kimber Rozier (DC Furies), Lauren Rhode (DC Furies), Jenn Sever (Life West), Nicole Heavirland (West Point), Jane Paar (USMC), Sara Parsons (UN Reno), Bianca Dalal (Penn State), Cheta Emba (Harvard), Kelsi Stockert (Seattle Saracens), Jessica Wooden (Atlanta Harlequins)

*2014 World Cup squad member