Coach Francois Ratier releases 27-player roster to face Wallaroos, Black Ferns in preparation for Women’s World Cup in August
Canada Women’s Roster Announced for Three-Game Tour of New Zealand In June
LANGFORD, BC – Following a hugely successful CAN-AM Series on Vancouver Island, Canada’s Women’s Fifteens head coach Francois Ratier has announced his travelling roster for the upcoming three-game tour of New Zealand in June.
The down-under tour features one test against the Australian Wallaroos followed by two against the defending World Champion Black Ferns of New Zealand in preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August in Paris.
Having completed a November Tour at the end of last year, Ratier’s side will have competed against women’s rugby’s premier competition leading into August’s pinnacle event.
“It’s important for us to test our level against the best teams in the world and at the end of the season we will have played England, France, USA, Australia and the Black Ferns leading into the World Cup,” said Ratier. “I’m expecting three very tough games on our tour to New Zealand,” added Ratier.
Canada opened 2014 with a dominant 51-7 victory over their North American rivals, USA at Shawnigan Lake School on April 15 before narrowly edging the Eagles 14-10 in the re-match on April 19 at Westhills Stadium in Langford, BC. With the two victories, Canada captured the CAN-AM Cup by an aggregate score of 48-points.
Leading the tour to New Zealand will be captain Kelly Russell, along with veterans Mandy Marchak, Andrea Burk, Kim Donaldson, Brittany Waters, Julianne Zussman and Julia Sugawara.
“The names that we have selected for the New Zealand tour are the best that we have available for the World Cup and have a very good chance of being selected to travel to Paris in July and August as part of our final roster,” said Ratier. “Along with facing top quality competition, this tour to New Zealand is about continuing to develop chemistry amongst our team and trying different combinations. Our goal is to win in New Zealand, and I think we have the team to do that. ”
Canada, who finished a disappointing 6th in the last World Cup in England in 2010, will face Spain, Samoa and England in the pool stages this year. One team from each of the three pools, along with the next best performer, will advance to the Semi-Finals following the opening pool stages.
The team will depart for New Zealand on May 31 and return on June 15. Ticketing and all other information about the Women’s World Cup can be found at www.rwcwomens.com
Make sure to follow Rugby Canada on Social Media for up-to-the-minute information.
Canada’s Roster for New Zealand Tour – Name, (Club) Hometown
Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON Brittany Benn, (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON Stephanie Bernier, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, Ontario Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC Sammy Crandell, (Hornets RFC) Calgary, AB Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC Mary Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB Barbara Mervin, (Velox RFC) Peterborough, ON Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Non-Travelling Reserves
Asya Bartley, (Barrhaven Scottish RFC) Ottawa, ON
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Ashley Macdonald, (Halifax Tars) Corran Ban, PEI
Katie McNally, (Guelph RFC) Guelph, ON
Cindy Nelles (Oakville Crusaders/McMaster University) Belleville, ON
Natasha Watcham-Roy, (University of Ottawa) Gatineau, QC
RUGBY CANADA WOMEN’S FIFTEENS 2014 SCHEDULE:
CANADA 51 – 7 USA
April 15, 2014
CANADA 14 – 10 USA
April 19, 2014
CANADA VS. AUSTRALIA Friday June 6, 2014 New Zealand, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga Kickoff 2:30pm local time Thursday June 5 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT in Canada
CANADA VS. NEW ZEALAND BLACK FERNS Tuesday June 10, 2014 New Zealand, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga Kickoff 2:30pm local time Monday June 9 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT in Canada
CANADA VS. NEW ZEALAND BLACK FERNS Saturday June 14, 2014 New Zealand, Whakatane, Rugby Park Kickoff 2:30pm – local time Friday June 13 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT in Canada
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #1 v. SPAIN Friday August 1, 2014 Paris, France – Marcoussis Field 2 Kickoff 3:00pm – local time Friday August 1, 2014 at 9am ET / 6am PT
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #2 v. SAMOA Tuesday August 5, 2014 Paris, France – Marcoussis Field 2 Kickoff 5:00 pm – local time Tuesday August 5, 2014 – 11am ET/ 8am PT
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #3 v. ENGLAND Saturday August 9, 2014 Paris, France – Marcoussis Field 1 Kickoff 3:45pm – local time Saturday August 9, 2014 – 9:45am ET / 6:45am PT
WOMEN’S RWC SEMI-FINALS (If Qualify) Wednesday August 13, 2014 Paris, France – Stade Jean Bouin Kickoff 6pm or 8:45pm – local time Wednesday August 13, 2014 – 12pm noon ET / 9am PT (Kickoff time depends on rank following group stage)
WOMEN’S RWC FINALS (If Qualify) Sunday August 17, 2014 Paris, France – Stade Jean Bouin Kickoff 6:45pm – local time Sunday August 17, 2014 – 12:45pm ET/ 9:45am PT
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