Kevin Rouet’s second line-up shows he has chosen horses for courses.
He was happy to give youngsters the chance to show their form in Round One. Now against the top seeds he restores some battle-hardened warriors to the pack, and makes his optimum selection out behind to contain the expected threats England pose there.
This is his squad:
1. McKinley Hunt (Saracens), 2. Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs), 3. DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs), 4. Tyson Beukeboom (Trailfinders), 5. Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans), 6. Gabrielle Senft (Stade Bordelais), 7. Sara Svoboda (Loughborough Lightning), 8. Sophie de Goede (captain, Saracens), 9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay RFC), 10. Claire Gallagher (University of Ottawa), 11. Florence Symonds (University of British Columbia), 12. Alexandra Tessier (Exeter Chiefs), 13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (University of British Columbia), 14. Paige Farries (Red Deer) 15. Sarah-Maude Lachance (Lons)
Bench: 16. Gillian Boag (Capilano), 17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), 18. Alex Ellis (Saracens), 19. Ashlynn Smith (University of Calgary), 20. Sara Cline (Leprechaun Tigers), 21. Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais), 22. Julia Schell (Trailfinders), 23. Madison Grant (Cornwall Claymores)
He has made two changes up front, reinserting DaLeaka Menin and Courtney Holtkamp; and three behind: Paige Farries returns to her accustomed post on the right wing, which means Flo Symonds switches to the left. But Sarah-Maude Lachance’s move to full-back brings the unexpected demotion of the promising Maddy Grant to the bench.
A reminder of the squad that Louis Deacon announced earlier than expected:
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 36 caps), 14. Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 38 caps), 13. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 26 caps), 12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 66 caps), 11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps), 10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 23 caps), 9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps), 1. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps),
2. Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 52 caps), 3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 59 caps), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 46 caps), 5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps),
6. Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 9 caps), 7. Marlie Packer (captain, Saracens, 97 caps), 8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 60 caps)
Bench: 16. Connie Powell (Harlequins, 12 caps), 17. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 40 caps), 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps), 19. Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 12 caps), 20. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps), 21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 4 caps), 22. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps), 23. Jess Breach (Saracens, 31 caps)
Some Background
This will be the third time the sides have met in barely a month, but only this one counts. For Canada it’s a question of how far, how fast they can develop. They are so unused to being together for an extended length of time that this will be their big chance.
The Red Roses’ first task must be to keep Sophie De Goede on a short lead for as long as possible. Few teams manage that but fortunately Alex Matthews will be facing her with challenges of her own. Then they will eye the half-back partnership. Olivia Apps has impressed with the speed of her work, but Claire Gallagher is still relatively inexperienced, and Marlie Packer will have her beady eye on her.
England supporters will be hoping that the back line can really get to work and display their combined skills.
The Red Roses know they didn’t do themselves full justice last time round. Each player’s performance will help the staff decide their best squad for the following weekend, which most people, not least the organisers, see as the prime attraction.
Speaking of which – several Kiwi commenters have been very upset by the attendances thus far. This is Dunedin’s first sight of the Black Ferns in action since the last century – can you believe it?
The playing conditions will be quite unfamiliar. The Forsyth Barr Stadium is enclosed, indeed the first of its type to boast a grass surface.
So the players won’t be faced with wind, either straight in their faces or swirling about. I don’t think there is a special prize for any player kicking the ball against the ceiling, but the atmosphere is likely to be different from anything the players have known before. Whatever the size of the audience, the noise threatens to be fff.
It’s a tough assignment for the Canadians; they have come close to downing English colours on a few occasions in the past decade, but securing a win has proved just beyond them.
Officials:
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (FIR) and Cassie Watt (NZR)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Wouldn’t it be lovely if the TMO didn’t need to intervene once!
