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.”
After 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).
Courtney Holtkamp touches down to give @RugbyCanada the lead #USAvCAN | #PAC4 | #PacificFourSeriespic.twitter.com/k6gjqVeOeS
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) May 3, 2025
