The Canadian squad secured their eighth consecutive victory against the Welsh team in a convincing display at Salford Community Stadium. It’s hardly surprising, then, that the Canadian women’s team dominates the player comparisons in this, their second pool match of the Rugby World Cup.
Kevin Rouet’s team weathered a fierce opening quarter from the Welsh in the northwest of England before emerging with a 42-0 victory, thanks to two tries from McKinley Hunt and additional scores from Alysha Corrigan, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Taylor Perry, and Brittany Kassil.
In certain respects, Canada’s showing was somewhat atypical, as they relinquished possession on 22 occasions before Julia Schell’s final kick into touch at the sound of the final whistle.
However, despite a somewhat sluggish beginning, this performance served to underscore why they are considered among the leading contenders to claim the championship at Allianz Stadium later this month.
Front Row – Canada Holds the Edge
Throughout the duration of the 80-minute match, the Canadian front-row players had ample opportunity to showcase their comprehensive skillset. Not only did they maintain 100 percent possession of their own ball at scrum-time, but McKinley Hunt also managed to score two tries in the first half, while also contributing to the link-up play alongside her starting prop partner, DaLeaka Menin.
The momentum shifted somewhat following the yellow card issued to Olivia De Merchant, whose high tackle on Nel Metcalfe resulted in a temporary suspension. Canada managed to withstand her absence, but were forced to defend resolutely against sustained Welsh attacks towards their try line.
It was a somewhat disappointing afternoon for Wales’ Molly Reardon. While her opposite number, Emily Tuttosi, was generally accurate at lineout time, three errors in the first half relieved pressure on the Canadians, who had been under considerable pressure during the opening 15 minutes, and contributed to her team’s 50 per cent line out success.
Regardless of these set-piece errors, the 22-year-old completed her time on the field with 16 tackles.
Match Summary 
Second Row – Canada with the Advantage
Throughout her time on the pitch, Sophie de Goede displayed considerable skill for Rouet’s squad. By the close of the match, the 26-year-old had accumulated a game-high 19 carries and was instrumental in both of Hunt’s first-half scores. In addition to her goal-kicking, it proved to be a particularly successful day.
Tyson Beukeboom’s performance on her record-equalling 80th appearance for Canada was nearly as dominant as she could have hoped. The 34-year-old worked steadily and efficiently, ensuring that her team’s set-piece functioned smoothly. When Courtney O’Donnell was brought into play, replacing Caroline Crossley, she took up a position in the second row, which allowed de Goede to roam more freely from the back-row.
However, the Welsh second row did not appear disheartened. Starting locks Gwen Crabb and Abbie Fleming performed with the consistency that Lynn would have expected, with the latter executing a crucial turnover on her own line, and the pair together making 33 tackles.
Back Row – Canada with the Edge
At 37, Karen Paquin displayed a vigor that belied her age, with numerous strong carries into the defensive line, while Crossley and Gabby Senft completed as much work as possible.
Despite conceding possession twice, Crossley impressed, gaining significant ground across 11 carries for a total of 55 meters. Upon entering the game as a substitute in the second half, Fabiola Forteza proved to be a handful, further illustrating the depth of the North Americans’ squad.
In her inaugural match as Wales captain, and on her 60th appearance, Bethan Lewis performed consistently for her team. During her time on the field, the 26-year-old completed the most tackles of anyone on the pitch and maintained regular communication with the referee, Hollie Davison.
Wales No.8 Georgia Evans found it difficult to exert influence on the game, a situation compounded by the forward’s yellow card for a high tackle on Canada’s Emily Tuttosi in the 50th minute.
Half Back – Canada’s Superiority
In Justine Pelletier and Taylor Perry, Canada boasts a pairing that exemplifies consistency. The duo seamlessly linked the forwards and the backs, with neither committing any errors as the score increased.
A cover tackle from Olivia Apps contributed significantly to ensuring that Wales remained scoreless in Salford, and several breaks from the 26-year-old served as a reminder of her status as an Olympic sevens medalist and the perfect replacement for Justine Pelletier.
From the initial whistle, there was a palpable eagerness from the Welsh half-back pairings. An uncharacteristic series of misdirected kicks from Lleucu George hampered a promising start for her team, as they attempted to compensate for the previous weekend’s 38-8 defeat.
Centre – Canada in Command
In Alex Tessier, Canada clearly possesses one of the world’s leading players wearing the number 12 jersey. The captain facilitates seamless link-up play and collaborated effectively with primary playmaker Perry.
The Exeter Chiefs standout once again had the opportunity to exhibit her well-rounded skillset, demonstrating her ability to kick the ball effectively and distribute with ease. Her midfield partnership with Florence Symonds is still developing, with the sevens flyer demonstrating her ability to breach tackles effortlessly, underscoring her reputation as a highly regarded attacking threat.
Aside from a number of promising breaks, Courtney Keight and Carys Cox were unable to leave their mark on the match. This was evident in the latter’s total of 10 tackles, as the team faced a relentless Canadian onslaught.
Back Three – Advantage to Canada
The match did not begin smoothly for Asia Hogan-Rochester, who was initially held up after receiving the ball from the kick-off, but the Olympic silver medallist quickly compensated for this. Over the course of 80 minutes, the 26-year-old executed five linebreaks, gained 154 meters, and scored her try after evading Bryonie King’s attempted tackle.
Alysha Corrigan demonstrated the consistency that has established her as a key player for Rouet. The wing was largely untroubled defensively and crossed the try line at a crucial moment, at the conclusion of a 12-phase possession. Following her six-try performance the previous week, Julia Schell experienced a quieter afternoon, focusing predominantly on defence, where she executed two last-ditch tackles and consistently fielded high balls effectively.
The Welsh back three struggled to make an impact, as their team found it difficult to convert promising build-up play into sustained attacks to unleash players such as Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Metcalfe, and Lisa Neumann.
