Hot on the heels of the Red Roses to appear in next month’s RWC, Kevin Rouet has named his Maple Leaf squad, the second favourites to snatch the pot. (I’ll ignore the snorts coming from southern oceans).
The Squad
Forwards: Kassil, O’Donnell, Menin,Tuttosi, Crossley, Forteza, Senft, Boag, Paquin, Royer, Montiel, Nelson, DeMerchant, Buisa, R. Smith, De Goede, McKnight, Beukeboom, Hunt (19)
Backs: Tessier (captain), Gallagher, Bermudez, Corrigan, Hogan-Rochester, Symonds, Schell, Pelletier, Apps, Farries, Lachance, Seumanutafa, Perry (13)
It shows signal differences from John Mitchell’s offerings a few hours earlier.
1. The balance is 19:13 in favour of the forwards. On balance I see that as the more sensible, if conservative option.
2. No fewer then six members of the 7s squad that took silver at the Paris Olympics are included: Apps, Crossley, Bermudez, Hogan-Rochester, Perry and Symonds.
3. Rouet has decided to keep Alex Tessier as captain, despite the welcome return of Sophie de Goede. This may strike Canadian fans as a surprise, since SdG was appointed captain almost before she made her debut. (I exaggerate only slightly.)
This move may prove a profit to the team’s fortunes. Free from the concerns of bearing the responsibility for every onfield decision, Sophie may produce even more game-turning performances. And Alex has a stock of experience behind her; she made her debut a decade ago.
4. One curiosity: the name Alex Austerberry appears on the staff-list as an assistant coach.
He has been gathering more and more Maple Leafs around him at the StoneX; this may prove a sensible move by Rugby Canada.
This is a formidable squad. Can it produce the goods when needed?
