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The final run-in to the World Cup appropriately begins in New Zealand for Canada and the USA. Both teams will return to the Pacific Island nation for the flagship event in October and the Pacific Four gives the selectors one last good look at combinations and fringe contenders before final selection.
Neither team are at full strength due to the awkward scheduling of the tournament, which clashed with Friday’s Premier 15s final. There were 16 players tied with either Exeter or Saracens, most of whom will travel south for the subsequent matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Kévin Rouet takes charge of the Canadian side for the first time following the sudden dismissal of Sandro Fiorino earlier this year. Rouet has nominated Sophie de Goede as his new captain. One of the best young talents across the globe, she opted to step away from Saracens this season and instead led Queen’s Gaels to a national university title in the fall.
de Goede takes over the leadership role from Olivia DeMerchant, who herself opted to depart Exeter halfway through this past season. DeMerchant will start at tighthead prop though she is likely to switch back to loosehead once DaLeaka Menin arrives from England. Second row Courtney Holtkamp and openside flanker Sara Svoboda both play for Loughborough Lightning.
There is more overseas experience in the backline with former Exeter flyhalf Taylor Perry joined by Worcester winger Paige Farries. On the other wing Sabrina Poulin joins the team from Stade Rennais in France, while inside center Alex Tessier lined up for Stade Bordelais in the Elite 1 last year.
Former captain Laura Russell is named on the bench to provide backup for starting hooker Veronica Harrigan. Loughborough lock Abby Duguid and former Saracens lock or flanker Emma Taylor are also among the reserves, along with one new cap in Ottawa Gee-Gees prop Maya Montiel.
Rob Cain is without several of his best players including captain Kate Zackary. Kristine Sommer will lead the team in Zackary’s absence, one of ten players who appeared with Premier 15s teams in recent months. Formerly with Harlequins, Sommer played with Gloucester-Hartpury this season.
It’s an all-Sale front row with Catie Benson, Joanna Kitlinski, and Nick James starting while Gloucester-Hartpury’s Maya Learned and Loughborough’s Charli Jacoby are the reserve props. San Diego Surfers lock Evi Ashenbrucker and Sale flanker Georgie Perris-Redding are among five set to win their first test caps.
Both starting scrumhalf Bridget Kahele and backup Shelby Lin are uncapped, as is outside back reserve Sam Sullivan. Midfield pairing Katana Howard and Bulou Mataitoga lined up for Sale and Loughborough respectively during the 2021-2022 campaign.
The two rivals have squared off five times over the past three years, with Canada winning four in a row despite playing every one of those on the road. While the Eagles have more current overseas players in their roster, the Canadians have more test experience in their lineup. Give Canada the favorites tag based on recent results but this should be a close and compelling contest.
Kickoff is set for 8:15pm Eastern time, 5:15pm Pacific on Sunday. Locally the match begins at 12:15pm on Monday in Tauranga. A live stream will be available on the World Rugby website.
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Veronica Harrigan, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Laura Russell, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Maya Montiel, 19 Abby Duguid, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Anaїs Holly, 22 Maddy Grant, 23 Renee Gonzalez
USA
1 Catie Benson, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Kristine Sommer (capt.), 5 Evi Ashenbrucker, 6 Hallie Taufo’ou, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 8 Kathryn Johnson, 9 Bridget Kahele, 10 McKenzie Hawkins, 11 Tess Feury, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Bulou Mataitoga, 14 Emily Henrich, 15 Meya Bizer
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Jordan Matyas, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Shelby Lin, 22 Amy Talei-Bonte, 23 Sam Sullivan
Date: Sunday, June 5 (Monday, June 6 local)
Venue: Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Kickoff: 20:15 Eastern (17:15 Pacific, 12:15 Monday local)
Referee: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
Assistants: Amber McLachlan (Australia) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: World Rugby stream
RECENT RESULTS
2021-11-05 – USA 13, Canada 26 (Infinity Park)
2021-11-01 – USA 9, Canada 15 (Infinity Park)
2019-11-24 – USA 27, Canada 54 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
2019-11-20 – USA 0, Canada 19 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
2019-07-10 – USA 20, Canada 18 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
