Canada's Team Named For HSBC USA Women's Sevens

Katie Colclough 27/09/2019

Rugby 7s Senior Women

LANGFORD, BC (September 27th, 2019) – Canada’s team has been named that will kick off the 2020 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Glendale, Colorado on October 5-6, 2019.

Canada’s team set for first tournament of the 2020 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series

The team is coming off a strong 2019 season that saw the team reach the podium at four out of the six stops, claiming gold in Kitakyushu. Currently ranked third in the world, Canada will look to build on that momentum as they prepare to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after qualifying in Biarritz, France during last year’s Series.

“We’ve come off of a good preseason,” said coach John Tait. “We’ve put in a lot of work to prep the body up for what’s going to be a big year with the Olympics at the end of it.”

This season will hold a new challenge for the squad, increasing to eight rounds for the first time in the history of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series—six of those being combined men’s and women’s events.

“We’ll have to use our depth and manage the load throughout the year,” added Tait. “But with eight series stops it just gives more opportunity for the wider squad to get in there at different points in the year and show what they can do.”

Returning as captain of the squad will be veteran Ghislaine Landry who continues to lead the series in all time points scored with 1186 total. Landry will have strong support from other standout players including Bianca Farella who was the 2019 series second leading try scorer and Charity Williams, known for her unstoppable speed.

“We’ve had some injuries recently but that just presents an opportunity for some players with less series experience to get more game time,” said Tait.

A staple on Canada’s XVs squad, Quebec’s Elissa Alarie will join the sevens roster for the first time since 2016. Having represented Canada at the 2014 and 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Alarie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team as they approach the beginning of a crucial year.

“Elissa Alarie is coming back into the squad and she’ll be providing some depth to the team. She’s part of our pathway and at this point, anyone in our depth chart can put their hand up if they’re able to perform.”

Canada will face off against Australia, Spain and Fiji on day one of the tournament in Pool C. Broadcast details are TBC and fans can receive LIVE match updates on the World Rugby match centre: https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/stage/1964/match

Canada’s Roster:

Delaney Aikens, UBC (Briercrest, SK)
Elissa Alarie, Westshore RFC (Trois Rivieres, QC)
Pamphinette Buisa, Ottawa Irish (Gatineau, QC)
Emma Chown, Aurora Barbarians (Barrie, ON)
Caroline Crossley, Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
Bianca Farella, Town of Mount Royal RCF (Montreal, QC)
Julia Greenshields, Sarnia Saints (Sarnia, ON)
Ghislaine Landry, Toronto Scottish (Toronto, ON) ‘C’
Kaili Lukan, Unattached (Barrie, ON)
Kayla Moleschi, Williams Lake Rustlers (Williams Lake, BC)
Breanne Nicholas, London St. Georges RFC (Blenheim, ON)
Karen Paquin, Castaway Wanderers / CRQ (Quebec City, QC)
Charity Williams, Markham Irish (Toronto, ON)

Unavailable due to injury:
Britt Benn, Guelph Redcoats (Napanee, ON)
Keyara Wardley, Okotoks Lions (Vulcan, AB)
Sara Kaljuvee, Toronto Scottish (Ajax, ON)
Asia Hogan-Rochester, York Lions (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Schedule: