Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canada and the USA are currently in the midst of a unique training camp to prepare the two sides for the upcoming Women’s Super Series. The top 40 Canadian players are at Guelph University for the intense 10-day session with 27 players representing the USA.
Sandro Fiorino is using the opportunity to view several new players in his Canadian side. Among them are second row Emilie Nicholl and flyhalf Julia Schell who impressed for the Gryphons during the national university championships in the fall.
There are also some returnees who were not part of the November tour to the UK. Most notable are Halifax export Emma Taylor, the Ireland-based lock who is the only player named currently situated abroad. World Cup midfielder Amanda Thornborough is back after recently playing for the Barbarians against the USA.
USA coach Rob Cain has brought a more streamlined squad but is also taking the opportunity to look at new talent. At 29, Glendale lock Sam Luther is something of a late bloomer as she looks to earn her first test cap in June. Powerhouse midfielder Eti Haungatau impressed against the Barbarians and has the makings of a future star.
Captained by outstanding flanker Kate Zackary, the team also leans on experienced forwards Catie Benson, Hope Rogers, and the abrasive Sara Parsons. Kimber Rozier is a familiar face in the midfield while sevens star Alev Kelter is getting a look in a new position of fullback.
The first scrimmage took place on Saturday with the Canadians coming away 40-7 winners. A second match is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 2pm local time. There will not be a live stream but fans are free to attend.
CANADA WOMEN
FORWARDS
Jenn Appleby (Castaway Wanderers), Olivia DeMerchant (Loyalists), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), Maude Laliberté (CRQ), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), Gillian Boag (Capilano), Temitope Ogunjimi (Calgary Hornets), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan), Ngalula Fuamba (TMR), Veronica Harrigan (London St. George’s), McKinley Hunt (Aurora Barbarians), Emilie Nicholl (Guelph Redcoats), Emma Taylor (Railway Union, IR), Pam Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers), Fabiola Forteza (CRQ), Jacey Grusnick (Barrhaven Scottish), Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans), Cindy Nelles (Belleville), Gabrielle Senft (Castaway Wanderers), Janna Slevinsky (Kingston Panthers), Sara Svoboda (Belleville)
BACKS
Lori Josephson (Guelph Redcoats), Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Taylor Black (Oakville Crusaders), Tausani Levale (Abbotsford), Julia Schell (Guelph Redcoats), Alex Tessier (SABRFC), Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown), Paige Farries (Westshore), Marie-Pier Fauteux (Abénakis), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish), Marie Thibault (CRQ), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore), Sabrina Poulin (TMR), Emily Samek (Guelph Redcoats), Elissa Alarie (Westshore), Anaïs Holly (TMR), Irene Patrinos (Toronto Saracens)
USA WOMEN’S EAGLES
FORWARDS
Catie Benson (Life West), Charli Jacoby (Chicago North Shore), Nick James (HARC), Hope Rogers (Eagles Sevens), Joanna Kitlinski (Glendale Merlins), Joyce Taufa (Lindenwood), Sam Luther (Glendale Merlins), Nicole Strasko (Life West), Alycia Washington (New York RC), Rachel Johnson (ORU), Sara Parsons (Life West), Asinate Serevi (Scion Rugby), Kate Zackary (capt., San Diego Surfers)
BACKS
Ashlee Byrge (Eagles Sevens), Carly Waters (New York RC), Gabby Cantorna (Glendale Merlins), Katana Howard (Twin City Amazons), Bui Baravilala (San Diego Surfers), Eti Haungatau (Eagles Sevens), Amy Naber-Bonte (Life West), Neariah Persinger (Eagles Sevens), Kimber Rozier (Beantown), Juliann Tordonato (Glendale Merlins), Jennine Duncan (Seattle Saracens), Evan Hoese (Berkeley All Blues), Alev Kelter (Eagles Sevens), Bulou Mataitoga (Berkeley All Blues)
