Olivia Apps named for long-awaited return to Canada’s starting side

HSBC SVNS Series star Olivia Apps will feature in Canada’s starting lineup for the first time since the 2024 Pacific Four Series, named at halfback in the team to play the Wallaroos at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Apps came off the bench in all three of Canada’s WXV 1 matches in Vancouver last year, but will bring a wealth of experience and composure to the starting side. Leicester Tigers fly-half Claire Gallagher will link up with Apps in the halves.

Coach Kevin Rouet has named a strong side to take on the Aussies, with Abiola Forteza named at No. 8 after an injury to Gabrielle Senft. Laetitia Royer, who was named in World Rugby’s Dream Team in 2024, moves into the backrow alongside Forteza and Karen Paquin.

In another big boost to the side, Canada’s all-time women’s caps leader Tyson Beukeboom has also been brought into the run-on side at lock. Beukeboom will start alongside Courtney O’Donnell as the second-row pairing.

McKinley Hunt, Gillian Boag and DaLeaka Menin are the other three starting forwards, picked in the front row. Emily Tuttosi and Julia Omokhuale are among the forwards looking to make a difference off the bench.

In the backs, midfielders Alexandra Tessier and Florence Symonds will combine outside the halves duo of Apps and Gallagher. Krissy Scurfield and Alysha Corrigan are the two wingers, with Ealing Trailfinders’ Julian Schell has been named at fullback.

“This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,” said coach Rouet said in a statement.

“There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.”

Canada are still in contention for the Pacific Four Series title, but needs results to go their way with New Zealand and Australia also in the race. This match in Brisbane will get underway at 2:55 am ET on Friday morning.

Canada team to take on Wallaroos

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
2. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC / Gloucester-Hartpury
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
4. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
5. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
6. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) – University of Victoria / Loughborough Lightning
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. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders

Replacements

16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
17. Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC / Exeter Chiefs
18. Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – College Rifles RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
19. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Leicester Tigers
20. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec?/ Stade Bordelais
22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau / Chiefs Manawa
23. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC