Canada begins their World Cup campaign opposite Fiji in York on Saturday afternoon. The Maple Leafs have made no secret that their ultimate goal is to win the tournament. Before switching their eye to the knockouts, they’ll first have to focus on three lower-ranked but potentially slippery opponents. In their only previous meeting with Fijiana, the result was far from a blowout.
Current World Ranking: 2 (90.13 points)
2025-08-09 – Ireland 26, Canada 47 (Belfast)
2025-08-01 – Canada 42, USA 10 (Ottawa)
2025-07-12 – South Africa 5, Canada 33 (Port Elizabeth)
2025-07-05 – South Africa 20, Canada 50 (Pretoria)
2025-05-23 – Australia 7, Canada 45 (Brisbane)
Current World Ranking: 14 (59.98 points)
2025-07-19 – USA 31, Fiji 24 (Washington DC)
2025-06-14 – Fiji 24, Samoa 20 (Sigatoka)
2025-06-06 – Fiji 59, Tonga 5 (Sigatoka)
2025-05-03 – Fiji 7, Australia 43 (Suva)
 |
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Brittany Kassil | McKinley Hunt |
| 3 | Olivia DeMerchant | DaLeaka Menin |
| 5 | Courtney O’Donnell | Tyson Beukeboom |
| 8 | Gabrielle Senft | Karen Paquin |
| 10 | Taylor Perry | Claire Gallagher |
| 11 | Fancy Bermudez | Paige Farries |
|
IN | OUT |
| 8 | Manuqalo Komaitai | Karalaini Naisewa |
| 11 | Repeka Adi Tove | Alowesi Nakoci |
| 12 | Josivini Tuikilakila | Josefini Neihamu |
| 13 | Ema Adivitaloga | Verenaisi Ditavutu |
- Kévin Rouet has selected something of a mixed lineup, with the coach keen to show off Canada’s impressive depth while maintaining competition for spots
- Sophie de Goede again runs out at lock instead of the back row, with Gabrielle Senft recalled at No8 and Karen Paquin among the reserves this week
- Paquin is one of three Canadians set to appear in a fourth World Cup… the others are reserve lock Tyson Beukeboom and starting prop Olivia DeMerchant… Beukeboom is Canada’s most-capped player of all-time with 78 test appearances
- making their World Cup debut for Canada will be starters Caroline Crossley, Taylor Perry, Fancy Bermudez, and Florence Symonds and reserves Rachel Smith, Olivia Apps, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa… Perry missed out on the 2022 tournament after being injured in training
- by contrast Fijiana have just two starters who were part of their squad in New Zealand three years ago… the team is captained by flanker Alfreda Fisher, at 21 the second-youngest named to start
- reserve lock Asinate Serevi represented the USA before switching to Fiji… she debuted as a center against Canada in 2016 before switching to the back row, and then opted to change her international allegiance… Serevi is the daughter of Fiji Sevens legend Waisale Serevi
Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)
“The team has put in a lot of work to get to this poin. We have been building really since the last World Cup so we are very excited to get going here in England. Fiji will be a fun team to play against. They are unpredictable so they will test us on the pitch but it’s on us to showcase our style of play and display why we are one of the best teams in the world.”
Ioan Cunningham (Head Coach)
“I don’t think we can select to combat the style of rugby that Canada play. We have to focus on ourselves and our strengths – what we can do well to put pressure on Canada and create scoring opportunities. Canada are a very good team, so our focus has to be on us. We want our players to go out, express themselves, and show the world what incredible athletes we have.”
Perfect conditions are on the forecast which suits Fiji, who will want to showcase some of their ball carrying skills. They will be up against it at the set piece, however, and the Canadian backline has threats of their own. The strength of the Maple Leafs bench is far beyond that of the Fijians. If the game is at all close at halftime, those reserves will be more than enough to pull away for a comfortable win. Canada are heavy favorites in York.
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 4 Sophie de Goede, 5 Courtney O’Donnell, 6 Caroline Crossley, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Fancy Bermudez, 12 Alex Tessier (capt.), 13 Florence Symonds, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Julia Schell
Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 McKinley Hunt, 18 DaLeaka Menin, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Karen Paquin, 20 Rachel Smith, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa
FIJI
1 Loraini Senivutu, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Tiana Robanakadavu, 4 Jade Coates, 5 Mereoni Nakesa, 6 Nunia Daunimoala, 7 Alfreda Fisher (capt.), 8 Manuqalo Komaitai, 9 Setaita Railumu, 10 Salanieta Kinita, 11 Sepeka Adi Tove, 12 Josivini Tuikilakila, 13 Ema Adivitaloga, 14 Ilisapeci Delaiwau, 15 Litiana Vueti
Replacements: 16 Selai Naliva, 17 Bulou Nasuturaga, 18 Vika Matarugu, 19 Asinate Serevi, 20 Karalaini Naisewa, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Kelerayani Luvu, 23 Adi Salote Nailolo
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: York Community Stadium, Huntington
Kickoff: 17:30 local (09:30 Pacific, 12:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 68°F (20°C), wind E 2-4mph (4-7km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 1/5 (Canada), Paramount+ (USA), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Ambert Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (1): Canada 1, Fiji 0
2022-09-23 – Fiji 7, Canada 24 (Suva)
