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Canada’s World Cup will come to a close with a Bronze Final match-up against France at Eden Park. Both sides came agonizingly short in the Semi Finals, with the Maple Leafs falling to England by 26-19 and France losing to New Zealand 25-24.
It’s been three years since the two sides have faced each other. While Les Bleues have the edge in overall historical results, more recently it’s the Canadians who have been the better side in head-to-head matches with four straight wins dating back to 2013.
An interesting note is that the two coaches have similar histories. Thomas Darracq and Kévin Rouet were each halfbacks in their playing days, and both come from the south of France – Darracq from Hagetmau and Rouet from Bordeaux.
Also similar is the approach the two coaches have taken to selection for the third-place decider, a match that can sometimes see reserve players given a run. Instead both teams are intent on finishing the tournament on a high, with each making just one change to their starting lineups.
For Canada the change is on the flank, where Sara Svoboda wears the No6 shirt and Fabiola Forteza moves to the bench. Emma Taylor is recalled as reserve lock with Ngalula Fuamba missing out. Otherwise the squad is identical, with Anaïs Holly again the only back replacement.
Assia Khalfaoui will start at tighthead prop for Les Bleues, with Clara Joyeux on the bench. It’s the only alteration to the match day squad with the same 23 players backed against the Maple Leafs.
Weather is not expected to be a factor in Auckland. That sets the stage for another compelling clash between two evenly-matched sides. The two extra forwards on Canada’s bench could be a factor late in the game when energy levels start to drop. World Rankings and recent results suggest the Canadians are slight favorites, but not by much.
Kickoff is set for 4:30pm Saturday local time, Friday 7:30 Pacific and 10:30pm Eastern. Live broadcasts can be found on ESPN in Latin America, Peacock in the USA, and on TSN channels 1 and 4 in Canada. A list of broadcasters elsewhere in the world can be seen here.
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Sara Svoboda, 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 Emma Taylor, 20 Tyson Beukeboom, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Fabiola Forteza, 23 Anaïs Holly
FRANCE
1 Annaëlle Deshayes, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Céline Ferer, 5 Madoussou Fall, 6 Gaëlle Hermet (capt.), 7 Charlotte Escudero, 8 Romane Ménager, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 10 Caroline Drouin, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 13 Maëlle Filopon, 14 Joanna Grisez, 15 Emilie Boulard
Replacements: 16 Laure Touyé, 17 Celia Domain, 18 Clara Joyeux, 19 Safi N’Diaye, 20 Marjorie Mayans, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Jessy Trémoulière, 23 Chloé Jacquet
Date: Saturday, November 12
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kickoff: 16:30 local (Friday 19:30 Pacific, 22:30 Eastern)
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Joy Neville (Ireland) & Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
Broadcasts: ESPN (Latin America), Peacock (USA), TSN 1/4 (Canada)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2019-07-02 – Canada 36, France 19 (Chula Vista)
2016-07-09 – Canada 29, France 10 (Salt Lake City)
2014-08-13 – France 16, Canada 18 (Paris)
2013-11-05 – France 6, Canada 11 (Amneville)
2013-11-02 – France 27, Canada 19 (Pontarlier)
