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'We can score tries in many ways' - Rouet heaps praise on Canada ahead of quarters
By Joe Harvey
Canada head coach Kévin Rouet said he was proud of his side after they finished top of Pool B at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup with a 40-19 win over Scotland.
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Much like their win over Wales, which secured the North Americans a quarter-final spot, it was not as straightforward for the second ranked team in the world as the scoreline suggested.
Emily Tuttosi scored a brace of tries at Sandy Park, while fellow front-rows McKinley Hunt, Brittany Kassil and Olivia DeMerchant rounded off the win.
It was a day to remember for the Canadians, who saw Tyson Beukeboom made her 81st appearance to become the nation’s most-capped rugby international of all time, while Kassil and Courtney O’Donnell won their 50th caps.
On their way to a quarter-final clash with Australia this Saturday, the Canadians had to contend with a bright start from Bryan Easson’s Scots, who claimed second-place in the group and a winner-takes-all encounter with England’s Red Roses.
Over the course of 80 minutes in Exeter, Canada conceded 19 turnovers, gave away 10 penalties and missed 29 tackles as momentum swung just as freely as the wind did in the south west.
Even so there was little concern from Canada’s head coach as his preparations for knockout rugby got underway.
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“What I like about this team is that even if one part of the game is not perfect, we can score tries in many ways,” Rouet said.
“We still scored 40 points today against a tough opposition. I think we should be proud of that. I’m very proud of them.”
Throughout the tournament to date, Rouet has been relaxed. The Frenchman has accepted every scenario presented to him, worked to it and seen his team thrive in three consecutive bonus point wins to start their World Cup campaign on the front foot.
At full-time the 38-year-old was asked about the importance of winning the Scotland game, as a loss could have landed the Maple Leafs with a quarter-final against England.
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Canada last played England in November and lost 21-12 and handed the Red Roses a second WXV 1 title in a row.
“At some point you have to face England,” Rouet smiled. “Especially if you are going to win the World Cup.
“Whether it’s a quarter-final or a final, it doesn’t change. You will have to face them.”
Ahead of the World Cup getting underway, Canada were quietly confident in what they could offer in England.
Since the New Zealand edition of the tournament three years ago, the side have climbed up to second in World Rugby’s rankings and beaten the Black Ferns for the first time. That’s before even mentioning their stunning 2024 Pacific Four Series victory.
As the games have gone by, you could be forgiven for thinking that the weight and expectation and noise surrounding the side has grown. But in camp it is all business.
“We want to stay together and be connected throughout whatever we’re facing,” Canada captain, Alex Tessier, said.
“We do our due diligence, analysing our opponent every game, so every week is different for us. We take it week by week.
“The pool stages are done and now expectations are high because we’re going to the quarter-finals and there’s no going back after that.
“We really need to nail that down next weekend. I think we’re prepared for it.”