RWC 2022 – Japan vs Canada – ARN Guide

Canada’s World Cup begins against Japan, their lowest-ranked pool opponent. Remarkably the two sides haven’t collided in 28 years. The only previous encounter was at RWC 1994, when Canada were runaway winners in Scotland.

Kévin Rouet has selected what appears to be his preferred side, with the notable absence of Olivia DeMerchant. The star prop also missed the test in Fiji a fortnight ago, with Brittany Kassil continuing in the No1 shirt. Tyson Beukeboom is recalled at lock in place of McKinley Hunt, the only other change to the starting forward pack.

There are three personnel changes in the backs. Taylor Perry swaps in for Julia Schell at flyhalf. Alex Tessier returns at inside center with Sara Kaljuvee pushing out one spot and Anaïs Holly missing out. Another straight change is on the left wing where Paige Farries replaces Alysha Corrigan.

Japan will find strength in the front row which is bookended by captain Saki Minami and former Exeter tighthead Sachiko Kato. Their coach also boasts unique knowledge of her opponents. Lesley McKenzie hails from Fort Nelson, BC, and wore the Maple Leaf in 25 tests. She represented Canada at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

There’s little reason to think that this will be anything but a resounding win for the Canadians. They have clear advantages in size and experience, and are a full ten spots ahead on the World Rankings. While Rouet will be careful not to show disrespect to Japan, expect to see the bench players on early to keep them sharp for tougher challenges to come.

Kickoff is set for 3:15pm local time on Sunday in Whangarei. For North American audiences it’s a Saturday evening match at 7:15pm Pacific, 10:15pm Eastern. Canadian viewers can watch live on TSN 1 or 3. Peacock will stream live in the USA, with ESPN broadcasting across Latin America.

JAPAN
1 Saki Minami (capt.), 2 Nijiho Nagata, 3 Sachiko Kato, 4 Yuna Sato, 5 Maki Takano, 6 Seina Saito, 7 Iroha Nagata, 8 Ayano Nagai, 9 Megumi Abe, 10 Ayasa Otsuka, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 12 Shione Nakayama, 13 Mana Furuta, 14 Hinano Nagura, 15 Rinka Matsuda

Replacements: 16 Hinata Komaki, 17 Misaki Suzuki, 18 Makoto Lavemai, 19 Kie Tamai, 20 Otoka Yoshimura, 21 Moe Tsukui, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Kyoko Hosokawa

CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Tyson Beukeboom, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Ngalula Fuamba, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Julia Schell

Date: Sunday, October 9
Venue: Okara Park, Whangarei
Kickoff: 15:15 local (Saturday 19:15 Pacific, 22:15 Eastern)
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Assistants: Amber McLachlan (Australia) & Doriane Domenjo (France)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: ESPN (South America), NBC Peacock (USA), TSN 1/3 (Canada)

HISTORICAL RESULTS
1994-04-20 – Canada 57, Japan 0 (Melrose)