Can-Am Preview – USA vs Canada

The USA will host Canada in the first of two games between the two North American rivals in Chula Vista on Wednesday afternoon. It’s the second time this year that they have faced off, the first a 20-18 upset win for the Women’s Eagles at the same venue during the Super Series in July.

Rob Cain will be looking at some new faces during the week but has not strayed far from the winning side with only two changes in the forwards. Life West lock Frieda Fetu’u and Twin City back row Katie Johnson have been handed their senior international debuts, with captain Kate Zackary switching to the flank to make room for Johnson.

There are four changes in the backs. Carly Waters reprises her Glendale halfback partnership with Gabby Cantorna, and Amy Naber-Bonté starts in the midfield. Kaitlyn Broughton and debutante Leti Hingano start at right wing and fullback respectively with Kris Thomas and Alev Kelter away on sevens duty.

Two more await their first caps from the bench. Beantown hooker Kathryn Treder and Glendale prop Maya Learned are the new names but there is experience alongside. World Cup selects Nick James and Alycia Washington will wait their turn with dual-international Nicole Strasko also in reserve.

Sandro Fiorino has handed the captaincy to Olivia DeMerchant for the first time in a side that shows six changes from the game in July. McKinley Hunt comes in for Courtney Holtkamp at lock in the only personnel swap, and the back row plays musical chairs with Sophie de Goede names on the blindside flank and Fabiola Forteza switching to No8.

Meanwhile only two backs have survived. Brianna Miller is recalled at scrumhalf with Tausani Levale and Paige Farries forming a new-look midfield combination. Madison Grant wins her first cap on the left wing after starring in the Ottawa Gee-Gees back row at the national university finals, and Alex Tessier shows her versatility by lining up at fullback.

As with the USA, there are two set to debut from the bench. Capilano prop Mikiela Nelson is joined by UBC midfielder Shoshanah Seumanutafa. Atlantic Canadian pair Emma Taylor and Alysha Corrigan are recalled to the match day squad, as are England-based hooker Mackenzie Carson and World Cup prop Brittany Kassil.

Canada are currently just one spot ahead of the USA in the World Rankings in 4th place, but hold a significant points margin and enter the match as favorites despite the travel. Expect this to be a close contest with the strength of the Canadian scrum a likely point of difference.

Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 5pm Eastern. Admission is free for spectators. A live broadcast will be available on FloRugby.

EDIT: Kickoff time has now been changed to 11am local, 2pm Eastern, due to a lightning storm forecast in the afternoon.

USA
1 Catie Benson, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Charli Jacoby, 4 Kristine Sommer, 5 Frieda Fetu’u, 6 Rachel Johnson, 7 Kate Zackary (capt.), 8 Katie Johnson, 9 Carly Waters, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Jennine Duncan, 12 Amy Naber-Bonté, 13 Emily Henrich, 14 Kaitlyn Broughton, 15 Leti Hingano

Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Nick James, 18 Maya Learned, 19 Nicole Strasko, 20 Alycia Washington, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Katana Howard, 23 Bui Baravilala

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (capt.), 2 Gillian Boag, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Sophie de Goede, 7 Janna Slevinsky, 8 Fabiola Forteza, 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Black, 11 Madison Grant, 12 Tausani Levale, 13 Paige Farries, 14 Irene Patrinos, 15 Alex Tessier

Replacements: 16 Mackenzie Carson, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Mikiela Nelson, 19 Courtney Holtkamp, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Lori Josephson, 22 Alysha Corrigan, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa

Date: Wednesday, November 20
Venue: Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista
Kickoff: 11:00 local (14:00 Eastern)
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Assistants: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & tbc (USA)
Broadcasts: FloRugby