Test Match Preview – USA vs Canada 2

After shaking off the cobwebs on Monday evening North America’s best will again collide at Infinity Park on Friday in the second match of the Pacific Four series. Canada earned bragging rights over their hosts in the first match but the USA were very much in the fight in a 15-9 defeat.

Both coaches are using the opportunity to mix in new players and try out different combinations ahead of their European tours. The Eagles will play Ireland and England while Canada face England and Wales.

Rob Cain has freshened up the USA pack with four changes including a first start for hooker Saher Hamdan. Nick James runs out at tighthead prop with Kristine Sommer taking over from Alycia Washington at lock. Elizabeth Cairns gets the nod on the flank in place of Rachel Ehrecke.

A reshuffle in the backline sees Gabby Cantorna moving to flyhalf with Katana Howard named at inside center and Megan Foster missing out. There are two new wingers in Bulou Mataitoga and Ilona Maher, the latter following Hamdan in getting a first start after debuting as a replacement on Monday.

Notably there is no specialist hooker reserve with prop Catie Benson taking the roster spot of Joanna Kitlinski. Second row Hallie Taufo’ou is in line for a test debut off the bench with Kathryn Johnson the extra loose forward. Kayla Canett and Amy Talei-Bonte offer backline cover.

Sandro Fiorino meanwhile has made sweeping changes to his lineup with only four starters retained and only one in the same position. Notably there are test debuts handed to second row Laetitia Royer and Julia Schell, the latter a flyhalf at university level but starting her senior international career at fullback.

Laura Russell is recalled to lead the side at hooker with Brittany Kassil and Alex Ellis alongside in the front row. Tyson Beukeboom is an experienced partner for Royer at lock, and Sophie de Goede starts at No8 after coming off the bench early to earn Player of the Match honors on Monday. Courtney Holtkamp shifts to the side of the scrum.

It’s a new-look halfback combination in Justine Pelletier and Emily Belchos, with the midfield comprised of Nakisa Levale and Marie Thibault. Paige Farries moves to the left wing with Sarah-Maude Lachance handed her first start on the right wing.

Two players who did not see action on Monday join the bench, both front rowers. Veronica Harrigan provides cover at hooker with Mikiela Nelson covering prop. Of the all-Exeter front row that started on Monday only DaLeaka Menin remains in the squad.

Canada put immense pressure on the USA at the breakdown on Monday with Holtkamp and de Goede particularly effective, though discipline was lacking at times. The USA forwards competed well but their dangerous midfield runners were given few opportunities to make their mark.

Warmer conditions are expected than on Monday evening setting the stage for another exciting contest. Though the Canadians were a step ahead on Monday, squad rotation and a more experienced USA backline makes this one very difficult to call. Give the favorites tag to the visitors by a nose.

Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on the TSN website or app in Canada as well as World Rugby’s Facebook and YouTube channels. A delayed broadcast will be available on TSN 2 in Canada at 8pm Pacific, 11pm Eastern.

USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Saher Hamdan, 3 Nick James, 4 Jenny Kronish, 5 Kristine Sommer, 6 Elizabeth Cairns, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Bulou Mataitoga, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Ilona Maher, 15 McKenzie Hawkins

Replacements: 16 Catie Benson, 17 Charli Jacoby, 18 Maya Learned, 19 Hallie Taufo’ou, 20 Kathryn Johnson, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Amy Talei-Bonte, 23 Kayla Canett

CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Laura Russell (capt.), 3 Alex Ellis, 4 Laetitia Royer, 5 Tyson Beukeboom, 6 Courtney Holtkamp, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Nakisa Levale, 13 Marie Thibault, 14 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 15 Julia Schell

Replacements: 16 Veronica Harrigan, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Emma Taylor, 19 DaLeaka Menin, 20 Gabrielle Senft, 21 Alex Tessier, 22 Brianna Miller, 23 Renee Gonzalez

Date: Friday, November 5
Venue: Infinity Park, Glendale
Kickoff: 18:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Michael Jones (Canada)
TMO: Amanda Cox (USA)
Broadcasts: TSN Digital (Canada), World Rugby Facebook / YouTube

RECENT RESULTS
2021-11-01 – USA 9, Canada 15 (Glendale)
2019-11-24 – USA 27, Canada 52 (Chula Vista)
2019-11-20 – USA 0, Canada 19 (Chula Vista)
2019-07-10 – USA 20, Canada 18 (Chula Vista)
2017-04-01 – USA 10, Canada 37 (Chula Vista)
2017-03-28 – USA 5, Canada 39 (Chula Vista)
2016-07-05 – USA 5, Canada 33 (Salt Lake City)