Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canada face a pivotal match in their World Cup campaign as they square off against Italy in Auckland. Whoever wins will guarantee their place in the Quarter Finals and mark them as favorites to reach the Semi Finals, and possibly beyond.
The Azzurre weathered an early storm against the Eagles to run away resoundingly in the second half. There is more than just continuity on their mind, but also redemption after losing a competitive contest to the Canadians in Langford just three months ago.
Sara Seye replaces Lucia Gai at tighthead prop, and Giordana Duca has passed a fitness test to start at lock after being a late scratch against the USA. Beatrice Veronese comes in on the flank for the injured Ilaria Arrighetti in the only other change to the starting lineup.
Olivia DeMerchant returns at loosehead prop to win her 50th cap in what is a significant boost to the Canadian scrum. On the flank Sara Svoboda is given the nod at No7 ahead of Karen Paquin, who drops to the bench. McKinley Hunt is named as a second row reserve.
Julia Schell continues to deputise for the injured Taylor Perry at flyhalf in an unchanged starting backline. There is one alteration on the bench as Anaïs Holly makes way for Alysha Corrigan.
The Canadians will take great confidence from their Starlight Stadium success but this is an improved Italy they will be facing. A dominant forward effort got the job done against Japan and there will be no secret to how the Maple Leafs will hope to boss the game against a more creative Azzurre side. This is a compelling clash – one of the highlights of the pool stage – that is too close to call.
Kickoff is set for 12:45pm Sunday local time, 4:45pm Pacific and 7:45 Eastern Saturday in North America. Live broadcasts will be available on TSN 4 in Canada, Peacock in the USA, and ESPN in Latin America.
ITALY
1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Beatrice Veronese, 7 Giada Franco, 8 Elisa Giordano (capt.), 9 Sofia Stefan, 10 Veronica Madia, 11 Maria Magatti, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Replacements: 16 Vittoria Vecchini, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Emanuela Stecca, 19 Sara Tounesi, 20 Isabella Locatelli, 21 Sara Barattin, 22 Alyssa D’Incà, 23 Francesca Sgorbini
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Tyson Beukeboom, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 McKinley Hunt, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Karen Paquin, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Alysha Corrigan
Date: Sunday, October 16
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Kickoff: 12:45 local (Saturday 16:45 Pacific, 19:45 Eastern)
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) & Doriane Domenjo (France)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: ESPN (Latin America), Peacock (USA), TSN 4 (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-07-24 – Canada 34, Italy 24 (Langford)
1991-04-12 – Canada 6, Italy 0 (Cardiff)
