April 11, 2026 (Sacramento, California) –\u00a0Canada\u2019s Women\u2019s Rugby Team opened its 2026 Pacific Four Series campaign later than expected, as a weather delay pushed kickoff more than an hour past the scheduled start time against Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both teams battled through wet conditions, but Canada adapted best, securing a 24\u20130 victory over the\u00a0Wallaroos\u00a0at Heart Health Park on Saturday night in Sacramento, California.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First Half\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two sides struggled early,\u00a0frequently\u00a0exchanging possession on a waterlogged field. Canada opened the scoring in the 19th minute after earning a penalty on the Australian goal line. Opting for a lineout, they set up a maul before Julia\u00a0Omokhuale\u00a0crossed two phases later for a 5\u20130 lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Late in the first half, Canada added a second try following sustained pressure inside the Australian 22-metre. Captain\u00a0Justine\u00a0Pelletier made a break\u00a0after finding a gap around the ruck\u00a0and was stopped just short\u00a0of the line, but\u00a0Pamphinette\u00a0Buisa\u00a0collected the ball at the breakdown and powered over. Claire Gallagher converted to give Canada a 12\u20130 halftime advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Second Half\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canada created several scoring chances in the second half but were hindered by handling errors\u00a0caused by the heavy rain near the try line, including a knock-on in the 56th minute. After multiple attempts, they extended their lead in the 67th minute. With a penalty advantage, Pelletier moved the ball wide through Taylor Perry to Asia Hogan-Rochester, who finished for\u00a0a\u00a0third\u00a0Canadian\u00a0try.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Debutant Kiki Idowu added\u00a0Canada\u2019s\u00a0final score,\u00a0the first of her international career,\u00a0crossing in the 74th minute shortly after entering the match to bring the final score to 24\u20130.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scoring Summary:\u00a0Julia\u00a0Omokhuale\u00a0(1T),\u00a0Pamphinette\u00a0Buisa\u00a0(1T), Asia Hogan-Rochester (1T),\u00a0Kiki Idowu (1T),\u00a0Claire Gallagher (2C)\u00a0<\/p>\n
ON DEBUT\u00a0<\/p>\n
Six players earned their first caps for Canada\u2019s women\u2019s 15s team on Saturday against Australia. Chloe Daniels, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist with Canada\u2019s Women\u2019s Sevens Team, and Aurora Bowie, a Stouffville, Ontario native and University of Ottawa\u00a0alumna, started in the back three.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Named to the matchday roster as reserves, Sierra Gillis, Brooke Rempel, Corinne Fr\u00e9chette, and Idowu all took the field in the second half, each earning their first cap for the Canadian senior women\u2019s team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A WORD FROM CAPTAIN JUSTINE PELLETIER\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did our best with the weather,\u201d said Pelletier. \u201cWe knew it\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0going to be a fancy rugby game and the style of rugby we like to play.\u00a0Today was all about keeping the ball and getting\u00a0into\u00a0the fight. I am\u00a0pretty proud\u00a0of the team that we could\u00a0come up with\u00a0that win\u00a0and a lot of new caps for us\u00a0today,\u00a0so I am\u00a0very proud\u00a0of them.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\u00a0
\u201cWe talked before the game about changing our plan to go more into a kick battle and\u00a0play\u00a0more direct. It took us a little time to adjust but\u00a0the second half was\u00a0way\u00a0better,\u00a0and\u00a0I think that\u00a0is where we showed a bit more dominance.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\u00a0
UP NEXT FOR\u00a0CANADA\u2019S WOMEN\u2019S RUGBY TEAM\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canada vs New Zealand\u00a0
CPKC Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri\u00a0
Friday April 17 at 3:15 p.m. PT \/ 6:15 p.m. ET\u00a0\u00a0
Watch live on TSN and TSN+\u00a0
\u00a0
Canada vs USA\u00a0
Seat Geek Stadium \u2013 Chicago, Illinois\u00a0
Friday April 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT \/ 8:30 p.m. ET\u00a0
Watch live on TSN and TSN+\u00a0
\u00a0
CANADA\u2019S WOMEN\u2019S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS AUSTRALIA\u00a0
1. Brittany\u00a0Kassil\u00a0(Guelph, ON) \u2013 Guelph Goats \/ Ontario West (53 caps)\u00a0
2. Emily\u00a0Tuttosi\u00a0(Souris, MB) \u2013 Calgary Hornets \/ Exeter Chiefs (41 caps)\u00a0
3.\u00a0DaLeaka\u00a0Menin (Vulcan, AB) \u2013 Calgary Hornets \/ Exeter Chiefs (69 caps)\u00a0
4. Julia\u00a0Omokhuale\u00a0(Calgary, AB) \u2013 Calgary Irish Rugby Club \/ Saracens (6 caps)\u00a0
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) \u2013 St-Anne-de-Bellevue \/ Concordia University \/ Saracens (21 caps)\u00a0
6.\u00a0Pamphinette\u00a0Buisa\u00a0(Gatineau, QC) \u2013 Ottawa Irish \/ Bristol Bears (18 caps)\u00a0
7. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) \u2013 Castaway Wanderers \/ Saracens (39 caps)\u00a0
8. Fabiola\u00a0Forteza\u00a0(Quebec\u00a0City, QC) \u2013 Club de rugby de Qu\u00e9bec \/ Stade Bordelais (40 caps)\u00a0
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivi\u00e8re-du-Loup, QC) \u2013 Club de rugby de Qu\u00e9bec \/ Stade Bordelais (42 caps)\u00a0
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (22 caps)\u00a0
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa \/ Markham Irish \/ FC Grenoble\u00a0Amazones\u00a0(Uncapped)\u00a0
12. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) \u2013 Aurora Barbarians \/ Ealing Trailfinders (19 caps)\u00a0\u00a0
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) \u2013 Counties Manukau (24 caps)\u00a0
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads \/ Westshore RFC \/ Sharks (7 caps)\u00a0
15. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians \/ Queen’s University \/ Bristol Bears (Uncapped)\u00a0<\/p>\n
FINISHERS\u00a0
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia \/ Toronto Scottish – (Uncapped\u00a0
17. Sierra Gillis (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria (Uncapped)\u00a0
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Brock University \/ Brantford Harlequins \/ Ontario West (Uncapped)\u00a0\u00a0
19. Ashlynn Smith (Abbotsford, BC) \u2013 University of Calgary \/ Rugby Club Toulon (2 caps)\u00a0
20. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers \/ Saracens (40 caps)\u00a0
21. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) \u2013 University of British Columbia (4 caps)\u00a0
22. Corinne\u00a0Frechette\u00a0(Saint-Z\u00e9phirin-de-Courval, QC) \u2013 Club de rugby de Qu\u00e9bec \/ Universit\u00e9 Laval \/ Qu\u00e9bec East\u00a0(Uncapped)\u00a0\u00a0
23. Paige\u00a0Farries\u00a0(Red\u00a0Deer, AB) –\u00a0Westshore\u00a0RFC \/\u00a0Saracens\u00a0(41 caps)\u00a0
\u00a0
SUPPORT RUGBY CANADA\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canadian rugby is on the rise, with record participation nationwide and major international success. Highlights include a silver medal at the 2025 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup, qualification for the 2027 Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup, and Sophie de Goede being named World Rugby Women\u2019s Player of the Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now is the time to build on this momentum. Rugby Canada is committed to inspiring the next generation while continuing to\u00a0represent\u00a0Canada on the global stage through its One Squad program, uniting all our national teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the support of donors across the country, Rugby Canada provides world-class training, competition, and development opportunities. Contributions help strengthen our women\u2019s and men\u2019s national teams, support successful 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cup and 2028 Olympic campaigns, and grow the pipeline of future Canadian rugby players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To donate, click\u00a0HERE<\/a>. For donations of $5,000+ or questions, contact us HERE<\/a>.\u00a0
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