Canada overpower USA in statement win to open Pacific Four

Canada were intent on making a statement in their opening match of the Pacific Four, and they achieved that with a one-sided 36-5 win over the USA in Tauranga, New Zealand. Played in driving rain throughout, the Canadian forward pack dominated their opposites in the scrum and tight phases.

It didn’t take long for Canada to breach the line. A lineout drive was stalled but Olivia DeMerchant was able to punch over from short range. The USA responded, however, as they attacked to the right then swung the ball wide left with Kathryn Johnson’s tip-pass finding Hallie Taufo’ou for a try in the corner to level the scores.

Sophie de Goede led her team back into scoring position with a pick-and-go that set up a second try to DeMerchant from close range. It was the forwards again who did the damage as Pamphinette Buisa powered through for the third try to make it 17-5 at halftime.

The second half was all Canada. Courtney Holtkamp scored at the bottom of a lineout drive and then Buisa got her double. This time the flanker latched onto a loose pass near halfway and sprinted clear just two minutes after Holtkamp’s effort.

Taylor Perry would have the final say for the Canadians. The No10 had shifted to scrumhalf after Brianna Miller was replaced. de Goede fired a flat pass to Alex Tessier from the back of a scrum, and when Tessier broke to the outside Perry was there in support to take an inside pass clear through to the line.

Both teams return to action on Saturday evening. The USA takes on Australia while Canada square off against New Zealand in a clash between the No2 and No3 teams on the World Rugby rankings.

 

SCORING

CANADA 36
Tries – O. DeMerchant 2 (4′, 29′), P. Buisa 2 (38′, 51′), C. Holtkamp (49′), T. Perry (78′)
Cons – S. de Goede 3/6 (30′, 52′, 79′)

USA 5
Tries – H. Taufo’ou (10′)
Cons – M. Hawkins 0/1

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil (17 Mikiela Nelson 65′), 2 Veronica Harrigan (16 Laura Russell 50′), 3 Olivia DeMerchant (18 Maya Montiel 69′), 4 Tyson Beukeboom (20 Emma Taylor 60′), 5 Courtney Holtkamp (19 Abby Duguid 72′), 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller (21 Anaїs Holly 72′), 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee (22 Maddy Grant 60′), 14 Sabrina Poulin (23 Renee Gonzalez 60′), 15 Elissa Alarie

USA
1 Catie Benson (17 Maya Learned 61′), 2 Joanna Kitlinski (16 Kathryn Treder 69′), 3 Nick James (18 Charli Jacoby 61′), 4 Kristine Sommer (capt.), 5 Evi Ashenbrucker (19 Jordan Matyas 50′), 6 Hallie Taufo’ou, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 8 Kathryn Johnson (20 Elizabeth Cairns 62′), 9 Bridget Kahele (21 Shelby Lin 67′), 10 McKenzie Hawkins (23 Sam Sullivan 65′), 11 Tess Feury, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Bulou Mataitoga, 14 Emily Henrich, 15 Meya Bizer

Not used: 22 Amy Talei-Bonte

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
Assistants: Amber McLachlan (Australia) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)