New Zealand v Ireland: France v Canada In the most dramatic circumstances imaginable the team from last year’s WXV3 beat the world champions. Two contrasting matches to complete the first weekend of WXV1: the world champions versus the seventh ranked; and an eagerly awaited meeting of the two nations constantly tussling for third spot. New
More team nerves? Despite the regretted absence of their captain Sophie De Goede, this is still a very strong Canadian squad. In her place Tyson Beukeboom takes charge. She is already the nation’s most capped player. The Squad: Forwards Alexandria Ellis (Stade Français Paris), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Goats), *Caroline Crossley (Castaway Wanderers), Courtney Holtkamp (Red
Canada U20s v England U20s The game that got the new series under way provided excitement and unpredictability. By half-time it looked as though the Red Rosettes would suffer their second hiding in successive matches (memo: 21-72 to France). There were mitigating factors for a 0-22 score. The coach, James Cooper, had said that some
New Zealand v Canada Canada beat the Black Ferns for the first time in eighteen attempts, and away from home. With that they captured the Pacific Four Trophy, secured their third place in world rankings and retained the Utrecht Shield (check that out if it’s new to you). A final margin of three points seemed
Last week Canada regained third place in world standings, but defeating the hosts remains a daunting challenge. After meeting them seventeen times, they have yet to win. Team News Black Ferns Allan Bunting makes only change, and it’s enforced: an injury to loose-head Kate Henwood means Chryss Viliko wears the No 1 shirt. It also
Australia v Canada Allianz Stadium, Sydney Canada looked like a well-oiled machine as they forced the Wallaroos into submission. But strangely all their points were scored by forwards; even stranger, the front row all crossed the line. The first stat becomes slightly less odd when we see Sophie de Goede taking the conversions. There was
Pacific Four Series Preview This can’t help being a fascinating clash. On the Wallaroos side we have Jo Yapp, a (relatively) new coach picking her first team and causing one or two upsets in the process. For the Maple Leafs Kévin Rouet is building a squad that looks increasingly potent. These are the teams selected:
Kévin Rouet has announced the names of the 34 players to take part in this year’s Pacific Four tournament: Forwards Alexandria Ellis (Stade Français Paris), Brittany Kassil (Guelph), Cassandra Tuffnail (Trailfinders), Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans), DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs), Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs), Fabiola Forteza (Stade Bordelais), Gabrielle Senft (Stade Bordelais), Gillian Boag (Capilano), Julia
Canada v France I shouldn’t call this the third topsy-turvy result of the series, but pre-match France had looked the out-and-out winners. No, the two nations have been competing for that third place in the world hierarchy for a long time. Today the Maple Leafs put on a show to remember. France won the first
A recent presentation by French rugby is most revealing. It is entitled ‘Future under Construction’. So it confirms the management’s policy of taking the strategic view. Their eyes are set firmly on the next World Cup and are willing to accept bumps in the road ahead. The first big bump was the loss to Australia.
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