Canada moves up to second in world rankings after win over France to begin WXV 1

September 29, 2024 (Vancouver, BC) - Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team kicked off their 2024 WXV 1 campaign in Vancouver with a win over France at BC Place by a score of 46-24, moving up past New Zealand to second in the world rankings. 

Winger Fancy Bermudez and Player of the Match Laetitia Royer both scored a pair of tries, helping Canada to their second consecutive victory over the French.  

“Our hope was to come out strong, put down a fast game and play to the space we were given,” said Canada’s captain, Tyson Beukeboom. “I am proud we were able to do that and I think we did it really well. We’ve got a couple things to work on but overall very happy that we were able to put 46 points up on the board. That is a pretty good performance for us.”  

Canada was first to get on the scoreboard when, in the fifth minute, Paige Farries took an offload from Shoshanah Seumanutafa over the line for the opening try. The conversion was successful by Alex Tessier to give the home side an early 7-0 lead. France responded quickly with a try of their own in the ninth minute, but Canada answered back with the first of two tries from Bermudez, who used an inside pass from Tessier to split the French defence and restore their lead to 14-7. 

France levelled the game 14-14, but with a lineout on France’s 5 metre line, the hosts used a maul to set up their third try of the match, with Royer powering over the line to put Canada up 19-14. Before the first half ended, Bermudez put down her second try to give her squad a 24-14 advantage headed to the final 40 minutes of play. 

“I told the team at halftime that we were going in the right direction,” said Canada’s Head Coach, Kevin Rouet. “There were a couple of things to refine but I told them that if we keep going, we will get the result we want.”  

France opened the scoring in the second half to narrow Canada’s lead to 24-19, but Royer’s second try of the match, and another conversion from Tessier, put Canada up 31-19. The back-and-forth game continued with France finding space with their backs after a lineout 25 metres out from Canada’s goal line, reducing Canada’s lead to 31-24. 

Canada responded once again with a try from Emily Tuttosi, with Tessier adding another conversion and a penalty kick to make the score 41-24. Asia Hogan-Rochester, on debut for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, scored the final try of the game. Earning her first cap alongside Hogan-Rochester was fellow Paris 2024 Olympic teammate Caroline Crossley, coming on for Pamphinette Buisa in the 71st minute.  

“I was excited for the players,” added Rouet. “It is a lot of fun for all of them to play at home. They love playing in Canada.”  

Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team faces Ireland in their second match of WXV 1 on Saturday October 5 at 3:45 p.m. PT / 6:45 p.m. ET at Willoughby Stadium at the Langley Events Centre. The game will be broadcast on TSN3 and TSN+. Tickets are available for purchase here. 

More information on WXV, including the full schedule and results, can be found on the official website at wxvrugby.com.  

Media accreditation applications for the remaining WXV 1 matches on October 5 and 6 at Langley Events Centre and October 11 and 12 at BC Place are currently being accepted HERE. Questions regarding media accreditation can be directed to media@rugby.ca