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Rugby World Cup Pool B will close out with an all-North America clash between Canada and the USA in Auckland. The Canadians have already clinched their spot in the Quarter Finals and a single bonus point will be enough to clinch top spot in the pool. The Eagles remain in a decent position to advance even if they lose but will be watching other results closely.
With two wins to start the tournament Canada have now won six tests in a row and will be confident of continuing that trend. They suffered a double-blow during the week, however, with news that first choice halfbacks Brianna Miller and Taylor Perry are out of the tournament with injury.
Justine Pelletier steps in for Miller and Alex Tessier moves in one slot to play flyhalf, where Julia Schell had been deputising for Perry. Sara Kaljuvee switches to No12, with Alysha Corrigan getting the start at outside center after being an unused replacement against Italy.
The forwards show three changes to the run-on side. Brittany Kassil returns at loosehead prop with Olivia DeMerchant now the reserve tighthead. McKinley Hunt is a straight swap for Tyson Beukeboom at lock, and Karen Paquin is on the flank with Fabiola Forteza missing out.
A bonus-point win over Japan put the USA back into the frame for the top eight after the disappointing opening-round loss to Italy. There are just three personnel changes to the starting lineup this week and one positional switch.
Nick James comes in at tighthead prop with the rest of the pack identical. Carly Waters is recalled at scrumhalf, and Lotte Clapp comes in on the left wing. Tess Feury drops back to fullback with Meya Bizer settling for a spot on the bench.
Weather is not expected to be a factor at game time. Canada have beaten the USA in five straight head-to-head clashes, including a one-sided result during the Pacific Four earlier this year. Add in the respective form of the two sides and it’s clear that this is Canada’s game to lose. The Eagles will be hard-pressed to compete against a dominant Maple Leaf forward pack.
Kickoff is set for 3:15pm Sunday local time, Saturday 7:15pm Pacific and 10:15pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on TSN 3 in Canada, Peacock in the USA, and ESPN in Latin America.
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Karen Paquin, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Ngalula Fuamba, 20 Tyson Beukeboom, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Anaïs Holly, 23 Julia Schell
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Kristine Sommer, 5 Evi Ashenbrucker, 6 Kathryn Johnson, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Alev Kelter, 13 Eti Haungatau, 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 Tess Feury
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Catie Benson, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Jenny Kronish, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Bridget Kahele, 22 Katana Howard, 23 Meya Bizer
Date: Sunday, October 23
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Kickoff: 15:15 local (Saturday 19:15 Pacific, 22:15 Eastern)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Joy Neville (Ireland) & Doriane Domenjo (France)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
Broadcasts: ESPN (Latin America), Peacock (USA), TSN 3 (Canada)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-06-05 – Canada 36, USA 5 (Tauranga)
2021-11-05 – USA 13, Canada 26 (Glendale)
2021-11-01 – USA 9, Canada 15 (Glendale)
2019-11-24 – USA 27, Canada 54 (Chula Vista)
2019-11-20 – USA 0, Canada 19 (Chula Vista)
2019-07-10 – USA 20, Canada 18 (Chula Vista)
