Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Second place in the Pacific Four is up for grabs for the winner of the tournament finale at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on Friday evening. Canada will take on Australia in a match that will also determine seeding heading into the year-end WXV tournament.
The Canadians held their own for 60 minutes against the world champions on Saturday but fell away in the final quarter. Kévin Rouet has rejigged his backline in response with two additional changes coming up front and two potential debutantes among the reserves.
Claire Gallagher makes her first test start at flyhalf after winning her first cap as a replacement against New Zealand. Out wide it’s a trio of alterations with Alysha Corrigan, Sarah-Maude Lachance, and Maddy Grant taking over the No13, No14, and No15 jerseys respectively.
Up front it’s a first start at loosehead prop for McKinley Hunt as she makes the switch from the second row. On the blindside flank Sara Svoboda rotates in for Gabrielle Senft. Front row duo Mya Brubacher and Sara Cline are set for their first international outings off the bench.
The Wallaroos impressed in a one-sided win over the Eagles on Saturday, making up for their earlier shutout defeat to the Black Ferns. Jay Tregonning has rewarded his side with an almost identical lineup, though there are two notable additions to the bench.
Siokapesi Palu takes over for goal-kicker Cecilia Smith in the only change to the run-on side. Regular captain Piper Duck has returned from injury but settles for a spot on the bench. World Cup prop Madison Schuck is also back in the match day 23.
Warm temperatures and clear skies are on the forecast, which sets the stage for another exciting contest. Canada have never lost to Australia in four previous meetings, though their most recent a year ago was the closest to date. All eyes will be on the newcomer Gallagher for the Maple Leafs, though she will have an inexperienced pack and halfback partner to take some pressure off. Expect a very competitive match but the home side takes the favorites tag.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 4pm Pacific. TSN 1 will broadcast in Canada with FloRugby streaming in the USA and World Rugby to viewers elsewhere.
CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Sara Svoboda, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 15 Maddy Grant
Replacements: 16 Sara Cline, 17 Mya Brubacher, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Laetitia Royer, 20 Gabrielle Senft, 21 Olivia Apps, 22 Julia Schell, 23 Fancy Bermudez
AUSTRALIA
1 Bree-Anna Cheatham, 2 Adiana Talakai, 3 Eva Karpani, 4 Michaela Leonard (capt.), 5 Kaitlan Leaney, 6 Ashley Marsters, 7 Emily Chancellor, 8 Grace Hamilton, 9 Layne Morgan, 10 Arabella McKenzie, 11 Ivania Wong, 12 Siokapesi Palu, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Maya Stewart, 15 Lori Cramer
Replacements: 16 Tania Naden, 17 Madison Schuck, 18 Bridie O’Gorman, 19 Sera Naiqama, 20 Piper Duck, 21 Jasmin Huriwai, 22 Trilleen Pomare, 23 Alana Elisaia
Date: Friday, July 14
Venue: TD Place Stadium, Ottawa
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: FloRugby, TSN 1, World Rugby
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Jenny Lui (USA)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-06-17 – Australia 10, Canada 22 (Auckland)
2017-08-26 – Australia 12, Canada 43 (Belfast)
2017-06-17 – Australia 5, Canada 45 (Rotorua)
2014-06-06 – Australia 0, Canada 22 (Tauranga)
