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Canada have suffered a blow with the loss of their most experienced player on the eve of the World Cup. Laura Russell has been ruled out of the tournament with injury. The 33-year-old hooker is third-highest on Canada’s all-time capped list with 53 tests.
As a result Pamphinette Buisa, 25, has joined the squad in New Zealand. The dynamic flanker was a standout during the Pacific Four tournament – also played in Auckland – earlier this year, and was a surprise omission from the original 32-player roster.
Russell will not be lost entirely to the group, as she will now join the coaching staff as a technical advisor. It does, however, leave the team with only two specialist hookers in Emily Tuttosi and Gillian Boag.
