Canada
The Canadian squad continues to scale mountains.
We need only recall the semi-final score at the last World Cup, Canada 19 England 26, to see the stern stuff they are made of.
Before that, a week after the Black Ferns had conceded 56 points to England in November 2021, the Maple Leafs briefly took the lead at the Stoop.
Their first problem lies in this list: Justine Pelletier, Breanne Nicholas, Julia Greenshields, Florence Symonds, Fancy Bermudez, Krissy Scurfield, Sophie de Goede, Alysha Corrigan, Olivia Apps, Asia Hogan Rochester, Maddy Grant and Chloe Daniel.
This is the Sevens squad appearing in the Langford Sevens, British Columbia, 19-20 August. Once more Canada are trying to keep two plates spinning in the air at the same time. A glance at the list shows players who would be first choices in the squad to fly to New Zealand for the WXV, not least their captain.
The names of players like De Goede and Pelletier are proof that Canada do not yet have sufficient player strength to divide them strictly into two groups. But then, nor do New Zealand!
Will they really prove able to adjust from the one format to the other? The types of fitness required are so different, quite apart from specific patterns and skills. Against that, the rewards of success in both are immeasurable.
Their fixtures
1. v Wales, Wellington, 21 October
2. v England, Dunedin, 27 October
3. v France, Auckland, 4 November
When we consider the vital role the Quebecoises have played in the fortunes of the national team, it’s a pity these two great French-speaking peoples haven’t sought each other out on a more regular basis. They have met sixteen times across 27 years, compared with England, 34 times across 30 years.
For Canada the crucial game comes first: the only team they meet ranked below them are Wales. The Welsh are on the rise, but it is still difficult to imagine them overcoming Canada’s strength, especially up front. As long as they can be sure of fielding all their top players – a consideration that concerns every competing nation – Canada should be sure of at least one win in a tricky trio of contests.
