World Cup Warm-Up – Fiji vs Canada – ARN Guide

Canada will play their final World Cup warm-up match in Suva on Friday. Fiji will be their opponents in a test match for the first time, with the 21st-ranked team in the world also set to play in their first ever Women’s RWC.

It’s another mix-and-match lineup from Kévin Rouet, with five changes to the starting lineup that cruised past Wales in Halifax last month. Second row Tyson Beukeboom will notably win her 50th cap albeit as a replacement, while Olivia DeMerchant will have to wait until the tournament itself before hitting the same career milestone.

Brittany Kassil comes in for DeMerchant at loosehead prop, with McKinley Hunt getting the start at lock in place of Beukeboom. It’s an identical loose forward trio and another 6/2 split on the bench with Emma Taylor able to cover both second or back row. Gillian Boag and Mikiela Nelson are called into the match day squad as front row cover.

Julia Schell gets another shot at the No10 shirt, having started against Italy in July, with Taylor Perry covering both halfback spots from the bench. Sara Kaljuvee moves in one spot to inside center with Anaïs Holly outside her and Alysha Corrigan stepping in for Paige Farries on the wing.

The Fijians have selected former USA international Asinate Serevi at lock. She last played for the Eagles in 2019 against Canada, and has now opted to use the Union Transfer regulation to represent the country of her birth. Serevi grew up in Seattle and her father is Fiji Sevens legend Waisale Serevi.

Other notable selections include a number of World Sevens Series stars. Lavena Cavuru, Sesenieli Donu, Ana Maria Naimasi, Alowesi Nakoci, and Rusila Nagasau were all part of the team that won Bronze at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year.

Light rain is expected in the hours leading into the match and during. That should have little effect on Canada’s game plan which is built around their powerhouse forward pack. Fiji’s strength is out wide but realistically this should be a convincing win for the 3rd-ranked Canadians as they build towards the big stage in New Zealand.

Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 2am Eastern, Thursday 11pm Pacific. A live stream will be available on FBC Sports in Fiji, which can be accessed using the Walesi App. The World Cup begins on October 8.

FIJI
1 Joma Rubuti, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Mereoni Vonosere, 4 Asinate Serevi, 5 Merevesi Okafimalino, 6 Karalaini Waisewa, 7 Ema Adivitaloga, 8 Sereima Leweniqila (capt.), 9 Lavena Cavuru, 10 Merewalesi Rokouono, 11 Vitalina Naikore, 12 Raijieli Laqeretabua, 13 Sesenieli Donu, 14 Ana Maria Naimasi, 15 Alowesi Nakoci

Replacements: 16 Jiowana Sauto, 17 Iris Verebalavu, 18 Bulou Vasuturaga, 19 Raijieli Daveua, 20 Rusila Nagasau, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Akanisi Sokoiwasa, 23 Roela Radiniyavuni

CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Alysha Corrigan, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Anaïs Holly, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Alex Tessier, 23 Taylor Perry

Date: Friday, September 23
Venue: National Stadium, Suva
Kickoff: 18:00 local (02:00 Eastern, Thursday 23:00 Pacific)
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Broadcasts: FBC Sports (Fiji)

HISTORICAL RESULTS
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