CANADA’S ROSTER SET FOR PACIFIC FOUR SERIES BATTLE AGAINST NEW ZEALAND BLACK FERNS

Thursday May 15, 2025 (Christchurch, New Zealand) – After kicking off their 2025 Pacific Four Series campaign with a win over the USA, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, Kevin Rouet, has selected his 23-player roster to face the New Zealand Black Ferns in Christchurch on Friday May 16 at 8:35 pm PT/11:35 pm ET (Saturday May 17 at 3:35pm local time).

Last year, Canada beat the Black Ferns for the first time in history by a score of 22-19 at Apollo Projects Stadium, where the two sides will face each other this week, this time with Canada as the reigning Pacific Four Series champions.

“We were glad to be able to get a victory over USA to begin the Pacific Four Series but as a group we knew there was a lot we needed to improve with New Zealand being our next opponent,” said Rouet. “Playing against the Black Ferns is always a big challenge, but the result last year and all the hard work the squad has put in since then gives us the confidence we need going into this one. It’s just another opportunity to test ourselves as we prepare for the World Cup later this year.”

Helping Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team capture bronze at the HSBC SVNS World Championships earlier this month in Los Angeles, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds and Alysha Corrigan will start the game for Canada with Olivia Apps being an option off the bench.

After entering the game in the second half in Canada’s win over the USA, Courtney O’Donnell, DeLeaka Menin, Claire Gallagher and Emily Tuttosi move into the starting lineup. McKinley Hunt and Caroline Crossley will start on the bench for Canada and will both be in line for their first international game action of 2025.

Following the game against New Zealand, Canada will travel to Australia to close out the Pacific Four Series against the Wallaroos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 22 at 11:55pm PT / May 23 at 2:55am ET (4:55pm local time).

More information on the Pacific Four Series, including the full schedule and results, can be found on the official World Rugby website HERE.

WHERE TO WATCH

Canada vs New Zealand will be available live on TSN4 and TSN+ on Friday May 16 at 8:35 pm PT/11:35 pm ET. Earlier this year Rugby Canada and TSN announced a long-term agreement bringing increased coverage in 2025 and beyond for rugby fans in Canada.

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM PACIFIC FOUR SERIES MATCH DAY ROSTER vs NEW ZEALAND 

1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats

2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs 

3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs 

4. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby     

5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat

6. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais    

7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec

8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais

10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers

11. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens

12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs

13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia

14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC

15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders

FINISHERS

16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC / Gloucester-Hartpury   

17. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens

18. Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – College Rifles RFC / Ealing Trailfinders

19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders

20. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers

21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC

22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau / Chiefs Manawa

23. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens  

Mission: Win Rugby World Cup   
Rugby Canada has officially launched the Mission: Win the Rugby World Cup 2025 fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $1,000,000 to provide Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team with extra resources to help them make history by winning the 2025 Rugby World Cup. With their sights set on a groundbreaking achievement this year in England, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team is currently ranked second in the World Rugby global rankings. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.