'I wanted to choose when my time was up': Canada's most-capped player retires

Canada’s most-capped player, Tyson Beukeboom, has announced her immediate retirement from rugby.

The lock forward represented Canada for 13 years and won 84 caps for her country. During that time she helped Canada to two runners-up finishes at Women’s Rugby World Cups, the most recent of which came last year.

It was at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 that Beukeboom made her 81st appearance and became Canada’s most-capped men’s or women’s player in the nation’s history when she surpassed former men’s hooker Aaron Carpenter.

“I kept playing because I still loved it, and I still do. I wanted to continue loving the game after I was done playing,” Beukeboom said. “I didn’t want rugby to push me out; I wanted to choose when my time was up.

“I think I always left everything on the field and did the best I could for my team,” she said. “I think that, through that tournament [Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025] alone, we made a massive, massive statement and made a name for ourselves around the world.

“The Canadian women’s team has been building toward that point for a long time, and it’s an honour to now be part of that legacy.”

The 35-year-old, who is the daughter of four-time Stanley Cup winner Jeff, spent two seasons with Trailfinders Women in Premiership Women’s Rugby and in 2024 helped Canada to the Pacific Four Series title and in the team’s first-ever win against the Black Ferns.

Beukeboom played her last game in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final as Canada lost 33-13 against the Red Roses in front of a record crowd at Allianz Stadium.

“People will forget my story, specifically, but I don’t think anyone’s going to forget our team,” Beukeboom said. “The one thing I will say to my teammates is that as much as I don’t really miss playing, I do miss playing with them.”