Canada names its side to face USA at Nations Cup in England
Canada names its side to face USA at Nations Cup in England
Canada has named its side that will face its southern rivals the USA at the Women’s Nations Cup in England on Tuesday evening.
After falling to England in the opening match of the tournament by a 43-9 score Canada are looking to rebound with a win over the Lady Eagles - who have played and lost to England twice during this event by 50-3 and 17-14 scores.
There is a lot of experience in the Canadian forwards unit as coach Quentin Fyffe looks to play it close with the physicality of the Americans. Kim Donaldson, Nat Bendavid and Marlene Donaldson anchor the front row. In the second row Calgary’s Paige Burdett and Waterloo County’s Dianne Kelly make up the second row, while a mobile and potent back row of Jennifer Kish, Barbara Mervin are on the flanks with Kelly Russell of the Toronto Nomads playing at No.8.
Fyffe says that the USA will offer more bite at the breakdown, something he is hoping to counter with his forward selections.
“Yeah - (The Eagles) are more combative at the break downs, while England had a more expansive and wider game,” explained Fyffe from England. “I think we will match up well with the US forwards.”
But that does not mean the Calgary based coach doesn’t fancy his chances in the backs either, selecting speed and veteran nouse from 10 through 15. Laura Stoughton is at scrum-half with veteran Anna Schnell at the fly-half spot. In the centres there is a new face in the form of Stevi Schnoor of BC club United. She works with veteran campaigner Maria Gallo, while a pair of rookies work on the wing. First caps will go to Cheryl Phillips of the Toronto Scottish and Velox’s Brittney Waters - while Montreal’s Julianne Zussman is at fullback.
Fyffe contends that England beat Canada to the breakdowns in the second half - as fatigue set in - allowing for the home side to balloon the score that Canada adrift by just three points at 12-9.
“Against england in second half - they just overpowered us by their better conditioning,” explained Fyffe, who will be using his bench to good effect on Tuesday night.
“We do have a strong bench - we went early enough,” he said, but admitted that travel and the extra games England has played gave the hosts an advantage.
He points to the big play by some veterans such as fullback Ashley Patzer, Heather Jaques in the back row and Anna Schnell at inside centre as big components on this tour.
“I don’t like to single anyone out,” the soft-spoken former Canadian team fullback said. “But they have really acquitted themselves well and I think the other players are responding well to them as well.”
The match kicks off at 7PM local time in the UK - at Esher RFC - coincidentally - the club where former Canadian team back rower and coach Mike Schmid is the director of rugby.
Canadian Senior Women’s team vs USA in Esher RFC in England
15. Julianne Zussman 14. Brittney Waters (Velox Valkryies) 13. Maria Gallo (At Large) 12. Stevi Schnoor (United) 11. Cheryl Phillips (Toronto Scottish) 10. Anna Schnell (Burnaby Lake) 9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) 8. Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads) 7. Barbara Mervin (Velox Valkryies) 6. Jennifer Kish (Edmonton Rockers) 4. Paige Burdett (Calgary Irish) 3. Marlene Donaldson (Velox Valkryies) 1. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake)
Replacements: 16. Nicole Tyminksi (Edmonton Druids) 17. Leslie Cripps (Saracens _Eng) 18. Heather Jacques (Capilano) 19. Katies Murray (Lep Tigers) 21. Ashley Patzer (Lethbridge) 22. Mandy Marchak (Capilano)
Head Coach: Quentin Fyffe
Assistant: Kris De Scossa
Assistant: John Long
Doctor Tatiana Jevremovic
Team Manager: Beth Barz
Massage Therapist: Leslie Clisby
Athletic Therapist: Jean Shaw
England v USA, August 19th at Esher RFC, KO 7pm WON 50-3
England v USA August 22nd at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 7pm WON 17-14
England v Canada August 24th at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 5pm WON 43-9
USA v Canada August 26th at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 7pm
England v Canada August 29th at Esher RFC, KO 7pm
For more information:
Doug Crosse
doug.crosse@gmail.com
Tags: swimming, fitness, cricket, cycling
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