CANADA WOMEN DROP FINAL WORLD CUP PREPARATION GAME AGAINST NEW ZEALAND
Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team looks strong leading into August World Cup despite finishing tour with 2-1 record
WHAKATANE, NZ – Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team finished their three-test New Zealand tour with a 33-21 loss to the Black Ferns Friday night in Whakatane, New Zealand.
After defeating Australia last Thursday, Canada completed their series with two straight losses to the defending World Cup champions.
The hosts jumped out to an early 26-0 lead before fullback Elissa Alarie intercepted a New Zealand pass at the Canadian 22-metre line and went the length of the pitch for Canada’s first points of the match. The conversion from Magali Harvey made it a 26-7 score at the half.
New Zealand opened the second half with a try just three minutes in, reclaiming the 26-point lead.
Harvey, a Canada Sevens player, then showed off her speed and footwork beating two defenders down the sideline to bring Canada within 19 points.
With head coach Francois Ratier making six second-half substitutions, Canada was able to put some charge forward. Hilary Leith touched down for her first try of the tour and Harvey’s third conversion of the match made it a 33-21 game.
The match was Canada’s final tune-up before this summers’ Women’s Rugby World Cup in France. Canada opens pool play against Spain on Aug. 1.
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Canada’s Roster vs. New Zealand – Name, (Club) Hometown
1. Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
2. Mary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
3. Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
4. Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
5. Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
6. Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
7. Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
8. Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Stephanie Bernier, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec
10. Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
11. Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
12. Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
13. Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
14. Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
15. Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
16. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
17. Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC
18. Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
19. Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, Ontario
20. Cindy Nelles (Oakville Crusaders/McMaster University) Belleville, ON
21. Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC
22. Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
23. Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Non-dressing Reserves – Name, (Club) Hometown
Brittany Benn, (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
Sammy Crandell, (Calgary Saracens) Calgary, AB
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
Non-Travelling Reserves – Name, (Club) Hometown
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
Natasha Watcham-Roy, (University of Ottawa) Gatineau, QC
RUGBY CANADA’S WOMEN’S FIFTEENS 2014 FIXTURES
CANADA 51 – 7 USA
April 15, 2014
Shawnigan Lake School, Mill Bay, BC
CANADA 14 – 10 USA
April 19, 2014
Westhills Stadium, Langford, BC
CANADA 22-0 AUSTRALIA
June 6, 2014
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand
CANADA 8-16 NEW ZEALAND
June 10, 2014
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand
CANADA 22 – 31 NEW ZEALAND
June 14, 2014
Rugby Park, Whakatane, New Zealand
Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. local time (Friday June 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT)
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #1
August 1, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #2
August 5, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
WOMEN’S RWC POOL GAME #3
August 9, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
WOMEN’S RWC SEMI-FINALS
(If Qualify)
August 13, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
WOMEN’S RWC FINALS
(If Qualify)
August 17, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
