Canada turn to SVNS stars for Black Ferns blockbuster

The remaining undefeated Pacific Four Series teams are set to clash on Kiwi soil this weekend, and the return of some SVNS stars has bolstered both sides.

Canada have wasted no time in injecting several bronze-medallists from the SVNS Championship into the starting unit, with Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, and Alysha Corrigan making up the midfield and left wing while Olivia Apps offers impact off the bench.

Numerous bench players from Canada’s opening round win over the USA have been promoted to start as well. That victory furthered some strong momentum for the Canadians, who lost just one game in the 2024 calendar – a competitive, nine-point dismissal at the hands of England in WXV1.

It was on the same pitch in Christchurch that will host this weekend’s fixture that the Canadians claimed a historic first win over the Black Ferns a season ago. While that effort that won them the Pacific Four Series crown proved they are more than capable, the Canadians know they have to be on top of their game.

“We were glad to be able to get a victory over USA to begin the Pacific Four Series but as a group we knew there was a lot we needed to improve with New Zealand being our next opponent,” said Canada head coach Kevin Rouet.

“Playing against the Black Ferns is always a big challenge, but the result last year and all the hard work the squad has put in since then gives us the confidence we need going into this one. It’s just another opportunity to test ourselves as we prepare for the World Cup later this year.”

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

New Zealand Women

27 - 27

Full-time

Canada Women

All Stats and Data

Canada team to play New Zealand

1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
4. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat
6. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec?/ Stade Bordelais
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders

Reserves 

16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC / Gloucester-Hartpury
17. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
18. Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – College Rifles RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
20. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau / Chiefs Manawa
23. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens