Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Kévin Rouet has named a squad of 32 players to compete in next month’s Pacific Four tournament in New Zealand. A confirmed are an additional group of 11 who are still on contention for spots in the final 30 that will represent Canada at the World Cup in October.
Flyhalf Anaїs Holly is the only addition to the traveling squad who was not named part of the Top 40 camp last month. Uncapped selections are Ottawa Gee-Gees prop Maya Montiel and Queen’s Gaels utility back Chloe Daniels. The latter helped Queen’s win the USports national university title in November while Montiel was a championship tournament all-star.
Lock or loose forward Cindy Nelles, who played for the New Zealand Barbarians in 2020, is named in the non-traveling reserves. Other notables on that list include France-based trio Laetitia Royer, Fabiola Forteza, and Sarah-Maude Lachance. Prop or lock Ngalula Fuamba returns to the wider squad after being left out of the Top 40.
Openside flanker Janna Slevinsky remains in recovery from surgery to repair a knee injury suffered in November. Flyhalf Emily Belchos is absent entirely along with versatile Saracens forward Mackenzie Carson. Belchos had been listed as unavailable for the April training camp.
Canada will open their tournament against the USA on June 5 (June 4 in Canada) with subsequent tests against New Zealand and Australia. The Black Ferns are currently ranked 2nd in the world with Canada narrowly behind in 3rd, Australia in 5th, and the USA 7th.
FORWARDS
Alex Ellis (Saracens, UK), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Maya Montiel (Ottawa Gee-Gees), Mikiela Nelson (UBC Thunderbirds), Olivia DeMerchant (Halifax Tars), Veronica Harrigan (Brantford Harlequins), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan), Abby Duguid (Loughborough Lightning, UK), McKinley Hunt (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Emma Taylor (Halifax RFC), Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Sophie de Goede (Queen’s Gaels), Courtney Holtkamp (Loughborough Lightning, UK), Karen Paquin (Stade Bordelais, FR), Gabrielle Senft (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Sara Svoboda (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
BACKS
Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais, FR), Anaїs Holly (TMR), Taylor Perry (Queen’s Gaels), Chloe Daniels (Queen’s Gaels), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish), Alex Tessier (SABRFC), Alysha Corrigan (Saracens, UK), Paige Farries (Worcester Warriors, UK), Renee Gonzalez (Westshore), Maddy Grant (Ottawa Gee-Gees), Sabrina Poulin (Stade Rennais, FR), Elissa Alarie (Westshore)
NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
Gillian Boag (Capilano), Ngalula Fuamba (TMR), Cindy Nelles (Canterbury, NZ), Laetitia Royer (Lons, FR), Fabiola Forteza (Stade Bordelais, FR), Corinne Fréchette (Laval Rouge et Or), Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford), Julia Schell (Guelph Redcoats), Sarah-Maude Lachance (Lons, FR), Marie Thibault (CRQ)
STAFF
Manager – Emma Delory
Head Coach – Kevin Rouet
Assistant Coach – Dave Butcher
Assistant Coach – Duncan McNaughton
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Jeremy Steinbach
Analyst – Stacey Maskelyne
Athletic Therapist – Alli Rodway
Physiotherapist – Amélie Michaud
High Performance Coordinator – Kristy Martin Hale
FIXTURES
Sat, June 4 – 17:15 PT / 20:15 ET – vs USA
Sat, June 11 – 19:45 PT / 22:45 ET – vs New Zealand
Fri, June 17 – 18:30 PT / 21:30 ET – vs Australia
