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New Zealand will put their world No2 ranking on the line when they take on Canada at the Trusts Arena on Saturday night. The Black Ferns are coming off a 23-10 win over Australia while the Maple Leafs cruised to a dominant 36-5 win over the USA. Both matches were played in Tauranga under heavy rain.
While the victory will have pleased Kévin Rouet, his first test as Head Coach, the biggest prize in the Pacific Four is undoubtedly the hosts and defending world champions. On 15 occasions since 1991 Canada have tried and failed to defeat New Zealand, the closest result a 16-8 loss in 2014.
Rouet has bolstered his front row with Exeter Chiefs pair Emily Tuttosi and DaLeaka Menin. Olivia DeMerchant, who departed Exeter mid-way through the season, moves across to loosehead prop with Menin starting at No3. McKinley Hunt, also of Exeter, joins Abby Duguid as extra lock cover on the bench.
In the backs there is a straight swap on the right wing with Renee Gonzalez handed her first test start in place of Sabrina Poulin. Saracens flyer Alysha Corrigan settles for a replacement role. Again there is no specialist scrumhalf reserve with starting flyhalf Taylor Perry providing cover if needed.
New Zealand coach Wayne Smith has rotated seven players into the lineup including two debutantes. Super Rugby Aupiki standout Amy du Plessis partners captain Ruahei Demant in the midfield, with 18-year-old Auckland prospect Sylvia Brunt set for her debut as a substitute.
The invincible aura has slipped from the Black Ferns but they remain a formidable outfit. More rain on the forecast suggests this will be largely contested by the forwards. Canada holds an edge in experience and will field close to a full-strength side. Expect a close match with a legitimate chance for the visitors to get the win they have been chasing for over 30 years.
Kickoff is set for 7:45pm Pacific, 10:45pm Eastern, Sunday 2:45pm local. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN’s digital services with a delayed broadcast on TSN 2. Those located elsewhere can watch a live stream on the World Rugby website or YouTube page.
NEW ZEALAND
1 Phillipa Love, 2 Luka Connor, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 4 Maia Roos, 5 Joanah Ngan-Woo, 6 Alana Bremner, 7 Tafito Lafaele, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 10 Hazel Tubic, 11 Ayesha Leti I’iga, 12 Ruahei Demant (capt.), 13 Amy du Plessis, 14 Ruby Tui, 15 Chevelle Robins-Reti
Replacements: 16 Georgia Ponsonby, 17 Angel Mulu, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Chelsea Bremner, 20 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 22 Sylvia Brunt, 23 Renee Wickliffe
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Renee Gonzalez, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Veronica Harrigan, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Maya Montiel, 19 Abby Duguid, 20 McKinley Hunt, 21 Anaïs Holly, 22 Maddy Grant, 23 Alysha Corrigan
Date: Saturday, June 11 (Sunday, June 12 local)
Venue: Trusts Arena, Auckland
Kickoff: 19:45 Pacific, 22:45 Eastern, Sunday 14:45 local
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Assistants: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Sara Cox (England)
Broadcasts: TSN.ca, TSN 2 (delayed), World Rugby website, YouTube
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2019-06-28 – Canada 20, New Zealand 35 (Chula Vista)
2017-08-17 – Canada 5, New Zealand 48 (Dublin)
2017-06-09 – New Zealand 28, Canada 16 (Wellington)
2016-11-23 – Canada 10, New Zealand 20 (Dublin)
2015-06-27 – Canada 22, New Zealand 40 (Calgary)
2014-06-14 – New Zealand 33, Canada 21 (Whakatane)
2014-06-10 – New Zealand 16, Canada 8 (Tauranga)
2006-08-31 – Canada 7, New Zealand 66 (Edmonton)
2005-07-08 – Canada 5, New Zealand 32 (Ottawa)
2005-07-05 – Canada 3, New Zealand 43 (Ottawa)
2004-06-08 – Canada 5, New Zealand 32 (Vancouver)
2000-09-23 – Canada 0, New Zealand 41 (Winnipeg)
1999-10-16 – New Zealand 73, Canada 0 (Palmerston North)
1996-09-08 – Canada 3, New Zealand 88 (St. Albert)
1991-04-06 – New Zealand 24, Canada 9 (Cardiff)
