Canada plays their first match since the World Cup Final in the second part of a Pacific Four double-header in Sacramento. Their opponents Australia were knocked out by the Maple Leafs in the Quarter Final at Bristol seven months ago, but started their 2026 campaign with a win at home over Fiji in late March. The Wallaroos now look for what would be an historic upset, having never tasted victory against Canada’s Women in eight times of asking.
| FORM GUIDE |
Current World Ranking: 2 (91.53 points)
2025-09-27 – England 33, Canada 13 (London)
2025-09-19 – Canada 34, New Zealand 19 (Bristol)
2025-09-13 – Canada 46, Australia 5 (Bristol)
2025-09-06 – Scotland 19, Canada 40 (Exeter)
2025-08-30 – Wales 0, Canada 42 (Manchester)
Current World Ranking: 7 (75.46 points)
2026-03-27 – Australia 33, Fiji 15 (Canberra)
2025-09-13 – Canada 46, Australia 5 (Bristol)
2025-09-06 – England 47, Australia 7 (Brighton)
2025-08-30 – USA 31, Australia 31 (York)
2025-08-23 – Australia 73, Samoa 0 (Manchester)
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Brittany Kassil | McKinley Hunt |
| 4 | Julia Omokhuale | Sophie de Goede |
| 5 | Laetitia Royer | Courtney O’Donnell |
| 6 | Pamphinette Buisa | Caroline Crossley |
| 7 | Gabrielle Senft | Karen Paquin |
| 11 | Aurora Bowie | Alysha Corrigan |
| 12 | Claire Gallagher | Alex Tessier |
| 13 | Shoshanah Seumanutafa | Florence Symonds |
| 15 | Chloe Daniels | Julia Schell |
|
IN | OUT |
| 4 | Michaela Leonard | Piper Duck |
| 5 | Tiarah Minns | Ashley Fernandez |
| 11 | Desiree Miller | Brooklyn Teki-Joyce |
| 13 | Georgina Friedrichs | Cecilia Smith |
| NOTES |
- Kévin Rouet has refreshed his lineup as he looks to the future… superstar Sophie de Goede is named on the bench as she works her way back from a troublesome knee problem, while regular captain Alex Tessier is ruled out of this match with injury… Justine Pelletier will lead the side against Australia
- several other leading internationals are currently unavailable – including star center Flo Symonds – as they contest the World Sevens championship set to begin in Hong Kong next week
- two newcomers are named in the backline… Grenoble winger Aurora Bowie and Bristol fullback Chloe Daniels… four others will debut as replacements… hooker Kiki Idowu, props Sierra Gillis and Brooke Rempel, and scrumhalf Corinne Frechette
- the Wallaroos are currently being coached by Sam Needs… recruitment continues for a full-time replacement for Jo Yapp, who stepped down after the World Cup
- it’s a reasonably experienced lineup for Australia, with no new caps this week… flyhalf Nicole Ledington and center Sidney Taylor debuted against Fiji along with reserves Brittany Merlo (hooker) and Lily Bone (second row)
- both teams have named 6/2 splits on the bench
| QUOTES |
Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)
“It’s been a short preparation window, but everyone is excited to get back on the pitch and play for Canada again. It’s important to recognize that we are at the beginning of a new cycle. We need to focus on giving our young, up-and-coming players opportunities to showcase themselves at the international level. We have a great mix of youth and experience in our roster for Australia, and it should be an exciting match.”
Sam Needs (Interim Head Coach)
“We’ve settled into the US and have trained really well with a healthy squad to choose from. There’s been intense competition for spots that’s only bringing the best out in players. Canada are a great side but for us this week it’s about sticking to our processes and building upon the win against Fijiana.”
| PREDICTION |
Rain is expected throughout the game with gusty wind, which will not be comforting for Australia. The Canadian pack is formidable and most of the starting side plays professionally in Europe. With an average margin of nearly 30 points over the last five meetings, it would take a monumental effort for the Wallarooes to pull off a first-ever win over the Maple Leafs. Canada are clear favorites in Sacramento.
| TEAMS |
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 5 Laetitia Royer, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Gabrielle Senft, 8 Fabiola Forteza, 9 Justine Pelletier (capt.), 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Aurora Bowie, 12 Claire Gallagher, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 14 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 15 Chloe Daniels
Replacements: 16 Kiki Idowu, 17 Sierra Gillis, 18 Brooke Rempel, 19 Ashlynn Smith, 20 Sophie de Goede, 21 Rachel Smith, 22 Corinne Frechette, 23 Paige Farries
AUSTRALIA
1 Brianna Hoy, 2 Adiana Talakai, 3 Bridie O’Gorman, 4 Michaela Leonard, 5 Tiarah Minns, 6 Kaitlan Leaney, 7 Emily Chancellor, 8 Siokapesi Palu (capt.), 9 Samantha Wood, 10 Nicole Ledington, 11 Desiree Miller, 12 Sidney Taylor, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Maya Stewart, 15 Faitala Moleka
Replacements: 16 Brittany Merlo, 17 Faliki Pohiva, 18 Eva Karpani, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Lily Bone, 21 Piper Duck, 22 Waiaria Ellis, 23 Cecilia Smith
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, April 11
Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento
Kickoff: 19:00 local (22:00 Eastern, Sunday 12:00 Sydney)
Weather Forecast: rain, 55°F (13°C), wind SW 12-17mph (19-28km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 5 (Canada), Paramount+ (USA), RugbyPass TV
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Alexis Saari (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (8): Canada 8, Australia 0
2025-09-13 – Canada 46, Australia 5 (Bristol)
2025-05-23 – Australia 7, Canada 45 (Brisbane)
2024-05-11 – Australia 14, Canada 33 (Sydney)
2023-07-14 – Canada 45, Australia 7 (Ottawa)
2022-06-18 – Australia 10, Canada 22 (Whangarei)
2017-08-26 – Canada 43, Australia 12 (Belfast)
2017-06-17 – Australia 5, Canada 45 (Rotorua)
2014-06-06 – Australia 0, Canada 22 (Tauranga)
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