Canada’s roster has been named by Head Coach Kevin Rouet for their final Pacific Four Series match against the New Zealand Black Ferns on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 at 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time) in Christchurch at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Named to the roster is Tyson Beukeboom, who is set to earn her 68th cap for Canada and will become the most capped Canadian women’s rugby player, surpassing Gillian Florence on Canada’s all-time caps list.
“Tyson is a very experienced rugby player and the fun part for me has been that she is now at the stage of her career where we just have a lot of conversations, there isn’t much coaching,” said Rouet. “At her age and with her experience she decided to fully commit to rugby by going over to play in England, I loved to see that. It is important to recognize this massive achievement and I look forward to seeing her continue to play and grow and she continues to hit more milestones in the years to come.”
The last time Canada and New Zealand played each other was also another record-breaking moment for Canadian rugby. Canada hosted the Black Ferns in the 2023 Pacific Four Series at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario which saw more than 10,000 fans cheer on Canada, the largest crowd in Canadian women’s rugby history.
Julia Schell will earn her first start of 2024 after coming off the bench in Canada’s first two matches against the USA and Australia. Schell replaces Sarah-Maude Lachance at fullback due to an injury to Lachance in last week’s match against the Wallaroos. With Lachance out, former UBC Thunderbird Rachel Smith joined the squad this week as an injury replacement.
For the second time in the 2024 Pacific Four Series, Shoshanah Seumanutafa will wear the number 13 jersey, previously starting against the USA. Fancy Burmudez will make her first international start on the wing.
Rouet added: “The Black Ferns as always are going to be a massive challenge. The team has been dedicated and focused on all the small details of our game to make sure we are ready for the weekend. It has been a great week training in Christchurch, and I am confident that the team will put on strong performance against a tough opponent.”
WHERE TO WATCH
Canada’s final Pacific Four Series match will be against New Zealand on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 at 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time). The match will be streamed live on TSN+ with encore broadcasts on TSN2 at 5:00am PT/8:00am ET and TSN1 at 2:30pm PT/5:30pm ET.
TSN+ is the stand-alone digital streaming service from Canada’s Sports Leader and is home to an extensive slate of live sports coverage from around the world, including Rugby Canada matches. For more information on TSN+, including subscription options, visit TSN.ca/TSN+.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM PACIFIC FOUR SERIES MATCH DAY ROSTER vs NEW ZEALAND
- McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
- Sara Cline (Edmonton, AB) – Leprechaun Tigers / Western Force
- DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs
- Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
- Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat
- Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
- Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC / Saracens
- Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Stade Bordelais
- Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
- Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
- Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Westshore RFC / Saracens
- Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
- Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Chiefs Manawa
- Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – NorWesters Athletic Associations / Westshore RFC
- Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph RFC / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders
FINISHERS
- Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
- Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
- Alexandria Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Stade Français Paris
- Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
- Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Leicester Tigers
- Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
- Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
- Madison Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores
About Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.
Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.
Media Contacts:
Braedan Willis
bwillis@rugby.ca
Liz Montroy
lmontroy@rugby.ca