If nothing else, the Maple Leafs’ selection proves we will have to get used to surprise omissions. Among the non-travelling reserve list are such starry names as Cindy Nelles, Abby Duguid, Pam Buisa, and Janna Slevinsky. The management will have their own good reasons, but Nelles’ omission is a huge surprise for anyone who saw her on tour in England in 2017. She may be paying the price for taking herself off to New Zealand, where she made a big impression on the local populace.
The problem for all the nations flying in is the distance from home. Injury substitutes cannot simply climb on a plane and expect to be playing 48 hours later. That is why World Rugby opted for the much more generous maximum of 32 players (only 28 last time).
The Squad
Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
Alex Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Saracens
Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
Anaїs Holly (Montreal, QC) – Town of Mont-Royal RFC
Brianna Miller (Pointe-Claire, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Redcoats
Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans
DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
Elissa Alarie (Trois-Rivieres, QC) – Westshore RFC
Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
Emma Taylor (Scotsburn, NS) – HRFC
Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec
Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Exeter Chiefs / Regina Rogues Rugby Club
Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC
Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / Castaway Wanderers
Justine Pelletier (Riviere-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec
Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais
Laura Russell (Bolton, ON) – Cowichan RFC / Toronto Nomads
Maddy Grant (Cornwall, ON) – University of Ottawa
Marie Thibault (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec
McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Exeter Chiefs
Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Rugby / Capilano Rugby
Ngalula Fuamba (Notre Dame de-l’ile-Perrot, QC) – T.M.R.R.F.C.
Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC
Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Worcester Warriors
Sabrina Poulin (St-Georges, QC) – TMRRFC
Sara Kaljuvee (Ajax, ON) – Toronto Scottish
Sara Svoboda (Belleville, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / Belleville Bulldogs / Loughborough Lightning
Sarah-Maude Lachance (Victoriaville, QC) – Club de Rugby de Québec/Lons Section Paloise Rugby Feminin
Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC
Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC
Non-travelling Reserves
Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – University of Ottawa
Cindy Nelles (Belleville, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs / University of Canterbury
Abby Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – University of Lethbridge / Loughborough Lightning
Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Lons Section Paloise
Janna Slevinsky (St. Albert, AB) – Calgary Saracens
Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
Renee Gonzalez (Toronto, ON) – Westshore RFC
Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
