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.
Canada v England England had to work hard to wear down Canada’s defences, but by the end they had achieved their aims. It just remains to see the Black Ferns off. Not so easy. The teams played in the unaccustomed setting of a covered stadium. That raised the noise level, but couldn’t hide the paucity
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
Three nations, Australia, Canada and Wales, have a prime role to play in how the top division works out. They may rank behind England, France and New Zealand, but their dearest wish will be to topple one of the assumed giants. They don’t fit neatly together in the two pools of three. Wales, the one
England v Canada This was far from a convincing win for the English. A player up after eighteen minutes, they still struggled to hold the Canadians in check. This was the second game of the day to suffer a red card. My fears about the coming WXV, not to mention all future internationals, are not
We now know both teams for the return bout between England and Canada at the StoneX Stadium, London Canada Kevin Rouet has made a number of changes. Coming into the starting XV are Olivia DeMerchant (prop), Sara Svoboda (flanker) and Taylor Perry (centre). The one new cap is Krissy Scurfield on the left wing; she
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