July 9, 2016
USA Women’s Rugby Collegiate All-Americans v Canada Maple Leafs: Round 2 Preview
Photo: USA Collegiate All-Americans
Doug Coil
The USA Women’s Rugby Collegiate All-Americans play the Canada Maple Leafs in the second match of the series on July 9th at 11am MT at Salt Lake City, Utah. The match is expected to be shown on USARugbyTV.com
In the first match on July 5th, the Canadian Maple Leafs emerged with a 15-10 win over the USA Rugby Women’s AIG Collegiate All-Americans yesterday on the strength of three first half tries by Julia Goss, Elysa Sandron and Alanna Fittes. The USA had a try by Kaitlyn Broughton and Tess Feury had a penalty kick as well as a conversion.
The WCAAs held their captains run alongside the Women’s Eagles training session at Regional Athletic Complex Friday and participated in a controlled, full-contact scrimmage.
Whitwell said “Scrimmaging the Eagles allows them to prepare themselves for the actual match. Having solid contact against those women versus tapering down preparations late in the week is going to serve them well. They’ve prepared for the physicality of the game, which is going to be the biggest test.”
Sue Whitewell has made 3 changes in the starting XV with Taylah Pipkin at flanker, Danielle Ordway at wing and Nicole Benedetti at fullback.Tess Feury, who played with the All-Americans July 5th, was called up as a reserve to the Women’s Eagles team that faces England at 3pm MT today.
Whitwell said “Tess’ selection with the national team is a huge indication that our pathway is working. To be a Collegiate All-American and know that it is a possibility to be moved up that quickly is a good sign that our programs are aligned, and we’re moving these young athletes through to their ultimate destination.”
Canada Head coach Dan Valley, has made six changes to the starting lineup as Brittany Kasali, Megan Copeland, Gillian Boag, Gabrielle Senft, Jess Neilson and Lisa Gauthier all come into the starting XV.
USA Collegiate All-Americans: 1. Rebekah Hebdon 2. Bridget Kahele 3. Azniv Nalbandian 4. Jennifer Johnson (C) 5. Haley Schafer 6. Yeja Dunn 7. Taylah Pipkin 8. Ilona Maher 9. Kat Ramage 10. Gabby Cantorna 11. Danielle Ordway 12. McKenzie Hawkins 13. Sarah Buonpane 14. Uzo Okoro 15. Nicole Benedetti 16. Frieda Fetu’u 17. Francesca Sands 18. Kaityln Broughton 19. Megan Rom 20. Jessica Lewis 21. Bailey Johnson 22. Elizabeth Rose 23. Lanoira Duhart
Coaching Staff: Sue Whitwell – Head Coach, Melanie Denham – Assistant Coach, James English – Assistant Coach, Lance Pruett – Manager
Canada Maple Leafs: 1. Brittany Kassil 2. Megan Copeland 3. Chelsey Minter 4. Camile Provençal-Aube 5. Daria Keane 6. Gillian Boag 7. Sara Svoboda 8. Gabrielle Senft 9. Lori Josephson (c) 10. Jess Neilson 11. Lisa Gauthier 12. Mackenzie Higgs 13. Julia Goss 14. Natasha Smith 15. Alanna Fittes 16. Kathleen Keller 17. Colleen Irowa 18. Simone Savory 19. Emma Taylor 20. Ngalula Fuamba 21. Justine Pelletier 22. Gillian Allen 23. Petra Woods
Maple Leafs Coaching Staff: Dan Valley- Rugby Canada Development Coach, Amy Stefaniuk- Therapist, Megan Lowry- Tour Manager
DJCoil Rugby Articles:
Canada Maple Leafs Beat USA Collegiate All-Americans in First Match of Series
Women’s Rugby Super Series July 5th Squads
