Canada prove too strong for Aussies

By Mark Stevens
15/7/23

Three Exeter Chiefs players helped Canada’s Women’s rugby team closed out the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series in Ottawa with a commanding 45-7 win over Australia.

Emily Tuttosi, DeLeaka Menin and Gabrielle Senft all featured as Canada - who finished second in the tournament - qualified for the top tier of WXV, a new three-tier annual global women’s international 15s competition.

Captain Sophie de Goede started her 20-point night by scoring in the 16th minute of play after Canada strung together 15 phases prior to de Goede touching it down. With Australia offside, Canada opted for the scrum where, while Canada was driving forward, de Goede pulled away to open scoring, converting her own try to put Canada up 7-0.

Australia scored their sole try of the game just five minutes later through Ashley Marsters, converted by Exeter's Lori Cramer, but that would be their sole reward on a tough day at the office.

Throughout the remainder of the game, Canada excelled in the maul, using one in the 29th minute to move the ball to the right wing for Sarah-Maude Lachance, who sped over the try line to regain the lead for Canada.

Playing in her 60th cap for Canada, Tyson Beukeboom marked this milestone in style, charging the ball over the line to score the first of three tries in the 35th minute. De Goede kicked her second of five conversions to increase the score to 19-7.

Canada’s captain closed out the first half by collecting seven more points. Receiving a pass from vice-captain Justine Pelletier, de Goede pushed off several Australian defenders to score between the posts, once again converting her own try to give Canada a 26-7 lead at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half, Claire Gallagher scored her first career try for Canada in just her second cap, receiving a pass from Pelletier and sidestepping Australia’s defence.

The remaining two tries belonged to Beukeboom, one from a maul that pushed the ball over the line (followed by de Goede’s final conversion), and the other coming with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.

With their performance in the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series, Canada now joins New Zealand, Australia, England, France and Wales in WXV 1.