CANADA MOVE TO 2-0 AT WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP WITH 42-7 VICTORY OVER SAMOA
Six try effort seals bonus point win for Canada; sets up winner-take-all game set on Saturday against England
MARCOUSSIS, FRANCE – Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team moved to 2-0 at the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup after defeating Samoa 42-7 on Tuesday afternoon in Marcoussis, France.
Lead by six tries from the backline, Canada secured a bonus point (4 or more tries) to now sit with 10 tournament points through two games.
The final and crucial game of the pool stages is set for August 9 against England, who are also 2-0 in the tournament with two bonus points.
Canada were on the front foot off the opening kick off, maintaining possession inside Samoan territory. Magali Harvey, who had three tries in the previous game against Spain on Saturday, picked up right where she left off with a 30 metre run off a line break to get Canada going forward.
At the 11th minute mark, outside-centre Mandy Marchak would touch down for Canada’s first try beside the posts after a strong run through two defenders. Harvey would add the conversion to lead 7-0.
On the ensuing restart, a Samoan forward was shown a yellow card for an infringement in the ruck. Shortly after, Marchak made a break to get Canada inside Samoan territory and Maria Samson powered forward off a Samoan penalty.
With the defence on the back foot, Canada spread the ball through the hands and lock Latoya Blackwood sprung Vancouver winger Brittany Waters for the score. With Harvey’s conversion, Canada lead 14-0.
With Samoa back to a full side, Canada continued to press on and were awarded with another try shortly after from fullback Elissa Alarie, who scooped up a loose ball and scampered 30 metres over the try line. Harvey would add yet another conversion to bring the content to 21-0.
Following a try-saving tackle from Alarie on a Samoan break on the final play of the first half, Canada took a 21-0 lead into the halftime break.
Much to the enjoyment of the nearly 100 red and white supporters at the field, Canada opened the second frame with an exciting 90 metre team try, finished off by Stephanie Bernier. Andrea Burk started the play off with a 60 metre run before being tackled and the ball found its way to Bernier who finished off the score. Harvey would be good for the extra two and Canada furthered their lead to 28-0.
Samoa would get on the board at the 54th minute mark when replacement Ginia Muavae broke through Canada’s defence. With flyhalf Bella Milo’s conversion, the score stood 28-7. However, that’s as close as the islanders would come, as Canada scored two late tries from Waters and Burk at the 67th and 80th mark respectively to seal a 42-7 victory.
Tries: Mandy Marchak, Brittany Waters, Elissa Alarie, Stephanie Bernier, Brittany Waters, Andrea Burk
Conversions: Magali Harvey x5, Andrea Burk
Canada Coach Francois Ratier:
“We reached our goal of securing a bonus point against a very strong and physical Samoan team, and I’m proud of their effort and attitude today,” said Ratier.
“Now we’re going to de-brief from today’s game and figure out exactly where we excelled and where we need to improve for our final pool game against England,” added Ratier.
“I think we improved a great deal today in the breakdown from the Spain game, and I believe we’re moving in the right direction. The big thing for me is execution and we need to continue to be strong against England.”
Canada lock Maria Samson:
“Our goal for this game was to win and get the bonus point and we did that today with six tries, which was great for us,” said Samson after the game.
“We wanted to not only match but beat Samoa’s physicality and we definitely did that in the first half and had some huge hits in the second half and our work around the breakdown was just like we practiced,” added Samson.
“Hearing the Canadian fans here at the game cheering for us, waving their flags and supporting us is fantastic and we’re excited for the England game on August 9th,” added Samson.
Canada winger Brittany Waters:
“We’re very excited about the win today and to get the bonus point was our goal as a team,” said the Vancouver native.
“I’m happy about my performance today and scoring two tries, but my team’s effort was what set the platform for them and I think the team effort is what’s most important,” added Waters.
“I think it’s going to be a great game against England on Saturday. I think we improved on our first game and if we can continue to be strong in the breakdown against England we can be successful.”
Canada’s Women’s Roster to face Samoa on August 5:
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
2. Mary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
3. Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
4. Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
5. Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
6. Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
7. Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
8. Kelly Russell, Captain (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Stephanie Bernier, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec
10. Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
11. Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
12. Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
13. Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
14. Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
15. Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
16. Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC
17. Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
18. Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, Ontario
19. Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
20. Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
21. Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
22. Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
Non-Dressing Players:
Brittany Benn, (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
Cindy Nelles, (Oakville Crusaders/McMaster University) Belleville, ON
Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC
Canada’s Women’s Team Staff:
Head Coach: Francois Ratier
Forwards Coach: Gary Dukelow
Backs Coach: Colette McAuley
Technical Advisor: John Tait
Strength and Conditioning: Steve Mackinnon
Physiotherapist: Adrienne Stinson
Manager: Meaghan Howat
Analyst: James Kent
Media Manager: Bryan Kelly
WRWC 2014 BROADCAST SCHEDULE ON TSN:
Canada vs. Spain – Aug. 1 at 8:45 a.m. ET on TSN
Canada vs. Samoa – Aug. 5 at 10:45 a.m. ET on TSN
Canada vs. England – Aug. 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET on TSN2
Semifinal #1 – Aug. 13 at 11:45 a.m. ET on TSN
Semifinal #2 – Aug. 13 at 2:30 p.m. ET on TSN
Finals – Aug. 17 at 12:30 p.m. ET on TSN2
RUGBY CANADA WOMEN’S FIFTEENS 2014 FIXTURES
CANADA 51 – 7 USA
April 15, 2014
Shawnigan Lake School, Mill Bay, BC
CANADA 14 – 10 USA
April 19, 2014
Westhills Stadium, Langford, BC
CANADA 22-0 AUSTRALIA
June 6, 2014
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand
CANADA 8-16 NEW ZEALAND
June 10, 2014
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand
CANADA 21 – 33 NEW ZEALAND
June 14, 2014
Rugby Park, Whakatane, New Zealand
WOMEN’S RWC – CANADA 31-7 SPAIN
August 1, 2014
Marcoussis, France
WOMEN’S RWC – CANADA 42-7 SAMOA
August 5, 2014
Marcoussis, France
WOMEN’S RWC – CANADA VS ENGLAND
August 9, 2014
Marcoussis, France
WOMEN’S RWC SEMI-FINALS
(If Qualify)
August 13, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
WOMEN’S RWC FINALS
(If Qualify)
August 17, 2014
Paris, France
Kickoff TBD
Main Photo via Ian Muir/Rugby Canada