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Saturday, August 23, 2025 (York, England) — Canada’s ladies’s rugby crew opened their 2025 Rugby World Cup marketing campaign in emphatic style on Saturday, operating in 11 tries to topple Fiji 65–7 at York Community Stadium.
It was an evening to recollect for fullback Julia Schell, who etched her identify into the file books with six second-half tries — probably the most by a Canadian in a Rugby World Cup match — because the second-ranked Canadians started their Pool B schedule with most factors.
Dominant First Half
Canada asserted themselves early, controlling possession and territory. A robust scrum and exact set piece work set the tone, with Sophie de Goede scoring the opening strive within the sixth minute and changing for a 7–0 lead.
Hooker Gillian Boag adopted with a driving maul end within the 14th minute, and regardless of shedding flyhalf Taylor Perry to a yellow card, Canada prolonged their lead by flanker Caroline Crossley, who marked her World Cup debut with a strive whereas the crew was down a participant.
By the twenty ninth minute, winger Alysha Corrigan had secured the bonus level, ending off a flowing transfer sparked by captain Alex Tessier. Fiji’s finest probability of the half got here from a lineout inside Canada’s 22, however de Goede stole the throw to maintain the Pacific Islanders scoreless.
At the break, Canada led 24–0, with 4 totally different try-scorers and de Goede including two conversions.
Schell Explodes for a Double Hat-Trick
Fiji struck first within the second half, briefly reducing the margin to 24–7 by substitute Kolora Lomani, however from there it was one-way visitors.
Schell crossed for her first strive within the fiftieth minute and added 5 extra between the 52nd and 72nd minutes, ending alternatives created by Canada’s sharp dealing with and relentless ahead platform. The 26-year-old entered the sport with simply three profession take a look at tries throughout her 26 appearances in purple and white; she leaves York along with her tally boosted to 9.
Veteran Karen Paquin – one in all three Canadians on the squad set to look in a fourth World Cup – capped the scoring with a strive within the 77th minute, whereas de Goede (4 conversions) and Tessier (one) added factors from the tee.
Post-Match Reaction
Julia Schell (Mastercard Player of the Match)
“At halftime, Kevin challenged us to win our one-on-ones. I just wanted to get out there and do that – for myself and for the team. I know if I’m in the right place at the right time, the tries will come, but our focus was always on the team’s performance.”
“Fiji is so fast and physical, and they love to play an offload game and play on the edge. We never wanted to rule them out, because we knew that at any moment they could come out flying, which they did right after halftime. That was our mindset going along – just keep pushing, keep pushing, keep pushing – because we knew they were going to do the same.”
Alex Tessier (Captain)
“It’s a very good win for us. We remained in control. Our key point today was to retain the ball and be clinical in our attack, and I think that’s what we did. We were playing composed throughout the game and we managed to put a lot of points on the board, which is really satisfying.”
“The way we started the game, I think we got a little bit too excited. Our ball retention will be key [in the next game] and cleaning up the offloads in our game. We need to remain disciplined on defence. We got penalized too many times, especially in the first half – that’s something to focus on next week.”
“We’re keeping it one game at a time, keeping our composure and building from game to game. We’re switching our mindset to Wales.”
Kevin Rouet (Head Coach)
“It’s good to start with confidence. We know there’s still room to improve, especially as this group adjusts to being ranked No. 2 in the world. It’s about building belief and showing we can deliver.”
“We have a team where anyone can score, but this was the first time we’ve seen one player score so many tries, and you could see it on the field and on the bench – everyone was thrilled for Julia.”
By The Numbers
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Sophie de Goede (6′), Gillian Boag (14′), Caroline Crossley (22′), Alysha Corrigan (29′), Julia Schell (50′, 52’, 54’, 61′, 69′, 72’), Karen Paquin (77’)
Conversions: Sophie de Goede (4), Alex Tessier (1)
2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP
At the Rugby World Cup in England, Canada will compete in Pool B alongside Scotland, Wales and Fiji. Their second sport of pool play might be in opposition to Wales on the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester, England on Saturday, August 30 at 4:00am PT / 7:00am ET (12:00pm native time). Click right here for the complete Pool B schedule.
Earlier this week it was revealed the Women’s Rugby World Cup ultimate at Twickenham subsequent month is bought out with 82,000 followers, making it probably the most attended ladies’s rugby union match ever. Over 375,000 tickets have been bought throughout all matches thus far — 3 times greater than the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS FIJI
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (47 caps)
2. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (33 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (63 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (35 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (47 caps)
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (7 caps)
7. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (35 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (34 caps)
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (37 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (17 caps)
11. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens (18 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (60 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (12 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (21 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (26 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (35 caps)
17. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (32 caps)
18. Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – Saracens
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (78 caps)
20. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (45 caps)
21. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (3 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (19 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (19 caps)
MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP
In March 2025, Rugby Canada formally launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising marketing campaign with the purpose of elevating $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world rating, the Canadian ladies’s rugby crew operates on a fractional finances in comparison with its closest rivals. This $1 million hole was recognized to finest equip the crew with additional sources to assist them make historical past.
The mission is now inside attain: over 95% of the fundraising purpose has been pledged by beneficiant particular person donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For extra data or to donate, go to rugby.ca/donate.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
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This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…