Tyson Beukeboom to become all-time caps leader as Canada takes on New Zealand
Rugby 15s Senior Women
Canada’s roster has been named by Head Coach Kevin Rouet for their final Pacific Four Series match against the New Zealand Black Ferns on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 at 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time) in Christchurch at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Friday May 17, 2024 (Christchurch, New Zealand) – Canada’s roster has been named by Head Coach Kevin Rouet for their final Pacific Four Series match against the New Zealand Black Ferns on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 at 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time) in Christchurch at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Named to the roster is Tyson Beukeboom, who is set to earn her 68th cap for Canada and will become the most capped Canadian women’s rugby player, surpassing Gillian Florence on Canada’s all-time caps list.
“Tyson is a very experienced rugby player and the fun part for me has been that she is now at the stage of her career where we just have a lot of conversations, there isn’t much coaching,” said Rouet. “At her age and with her experience she decided to fully commit to rugby by going over to play in England, I loved to see that. It is important to recognize this massive achievement and I look forward to seeing her continue to play and grow and she continues to hit more milestones in the years to come.”
The last time Canada and New Zealand played each other was also another record-breaking moment for Canadian rugby. Canada hosted the Black Ferns in the 2023 Pacific Four Series at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario which saw more than 10,000 fans cheer on Canada, the largest crowd in Canadian women’s rugby history.
Julia Schell will earn her first start of 2024 after coming off the bench in Canada’s first two matches against the USA and Australia. Schell replaces Sarah-Maude Lachance at fullback due to an injury to Lachance in last week’s match against the Wallaroos. With Lachance out, former UBC Thunderbird Rachel Smith joined the squad this week as an injury replacement.
For the second time in the 2024 Pacific Four Series, Shoshanah Seumanutafa will wear the number 13 jersey, previously starting against the USA. Fancy Burmudez will make her first international start on the wing.
Rouet added: “The Black Ferns as always are going to be a massive challenge. The team has been dedicated and focused on all the small details of our game to make sure we are ready for the weekend. It has been a great week training in Christchurch, and I am confident that the team will put on strong performance against a tough opponent.”
WHERE TO WATCH
Canada’s final Pacific Four Series match will be against New Zealand on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 at 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time). The match will be streamed live on TSN+ with encore broadcasts on TSN2 at 5:00am PT/8:00am ET and 7:30pm PT/10:30pm ET.
TSN+ is the stand-alone digital streaming service from Canada’s Sports Leader and is home to an extensive slate of live sports coverage from around the world, including Rugby Canada matches. For more information on TSN+, including subscription options, visit TSN.ca/TSN+.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM PACIFIC FOUR SERIES MATCH DAY ROSTER vs NEW ZEALAND
1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
2. Sara Cline (Edmonton, AB) – Leprechaun Tigers / Western Force
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs
4. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat
6. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
7. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC / Saracens
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Stade Bordelais
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Westshore RFC / Saracens
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Chiefs Manawa
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – NorWesters Athletic Associations / Westshore RFC
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph RFC / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders
FINISHERS
16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
18. Alexandria Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Stade Français Paris
19. Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
20. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Leicester Tigers
21. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
22. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
23. Madison Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores