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Only one North American team will be left standing after this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Final in Auckland. Canada will take on the USA in a rematch of their pool match from just a week ago, with the winner booking a Semi Final place against the winner of England vs Australia.
The Canadians proved the better of the two sides at the same venue just days ago, and did so in Tauranga in June. In fact the Eagles have lost six straight to their continental rivals and have just one victory over the Maple Leafs in their last ten meetings dating back to 2016.
Rob Cain has backed his charges to rebound by naming an identical match day 23. Nick James retains her spot at tighthead prop after an impressive showing at the coal face last week, with Tess Feury’s incisive running earning another run-out in the No15 shirt.
Meanwhile Canadian coach Kévin Rouet has made two adjustments in the pack. Olivia DeMerchant is recalled at loosehead to boost the scrum with Brittany Kassil dropping to the bench. The energetic Fabiola Forteza comes back in on flank at the expense of Sara Svoboda.
The reserves are a point of discussion in themselves. Remarkably there are seven forwards and just one back among them. Dynamic back row Pamphinette Buisa is set to make her first appearance in the tournament with Anaïs Holly having the enviable task of covering the entire backline.
Rouet’s strategy may well be influenced by the forecast which is calling for periods of heavy rain and northerly winds. That suggests the set piece will be where the game is won, and the Maple Leafs will have two extra forwards to provide fresh legs in the second half.
The USA has the ability to apply tactical pressure through the boots of Gabby Cantorna and Alev Kelter, but Canada’s lineout prowess could well prove the difference. Emily Tuttosi leads the tournament with six tries scored and the Eagles conceded three tries from the driving maul last week. Look for the Canadian pack to exert their dominance once more.
Kickoff is set for 4:30pm Sunday local time, Saturday 8:30pm Pacific and 11:30pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on TSN 3 in Canada, Peacock in the USA, and ESPN in Latin America.
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 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 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Ngalula Fuamba, 20 Tyson Beukeboom, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Pamphinette Buisa, 23 Anaïs Holly
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 30
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Kickoff: 16:30 local (Saturday 20:30 Pacific, 23:30 Eastern)
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Assistants: Sara Cox (England) & Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
Broadcasts: ESPN (Latin America), Peacock (USA), TSN 3 (Canada)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-10-23 – Canada 29, USA 14 (Auckland)
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)
