Senior Nations Cup Rugby: PREVIEW: CANADA vs SOUTH AFRICA

from Nations Cup Rugby:

As of now, it is our understanding that internet availability at the Oakville match site is down, due to technical problems. Therefore, it remains to be seen if a live broadcast will be possible. Recorded matches will be archived at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

Head Coach John Tait has named his starting roster for Canada’s first Nations Cup contest against South Africa, on August 2nd. This will be Canada’s first XV’s competition under their new head coach, and the players will no doubt be looking to lay down markers, early in this four-year World Cup development cycle.

The forward pack will be anchored by the highly mobile talents of Canadian Sevens international Jen Kish at open-side, while World Cup veteran #8 and team Captain, Kelly Russell, will look to help control the game for Canada in the set piece.

In the half-back pairing, Calgary’s Laura Stoughton pulls on the #9 shirt for Canada, while her fellow scrum-half at the 2010 World Cup, Julia Sugawara, moves to fly-half to help direct traffic in the backline.

In the backs, Canada will be blessed with exciting runners. Names such as Mandy Marchak, Brittany Waters and Ghislaine Landry all featured in Canada’s most recent title winning performance at the Amsterdam Sevens, and will look to apply pressure consistently on their South African opponents.

Coach Tait had the following words regarding his team’s first fixture of 2011:

“This team has a lot of versatile athletes who can play an expansive game as well as physically challenge the opposition. I am pleased with the squad’s development thus far, considering the short assembly we have had.

The experienced players have been showing a great of leadership in helping the newer players develop.”

As of now, it is our understanding that internet availability at the Oakville match site is down, due to technical problems. Therefore, it remains to be seen if a live broadcast will be possible. Recorded matches will be archived at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

Canada Roster
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby de Quebec)
2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
3. Corinne Jacobsen (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
4. Maria Jaworski (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
5. Danielle Rowlands (Kirin RFC / Calgary Hornets)
6. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK
7. Jen Kish (Lep Tigers) Edmonton, AB
8. Kelly Russell (Capt.) (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) Calgary, AB
10. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake) Surrey, BC
11. Jessica Dovanne (Velox Valkyries) Victoria, BC
12. Mandy Marchak (Capilano) Winnipeg, MB
13. Brittany Waters (Meraloma) Vancouver, BC
14. Andrea Burk (Capilano North) Vancouver, BC
15. Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON
——–
16. Jessica Belchos (Markham Irish) Innisfil, ON
17. Brandi Van Eeuwen (Cowichan) Duncan, BC
18. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
19. Shannon Kane (Capilano) Victoria, BC
20. Arielle Dubissette-Borrice (Toronto Nomads) Ajax, ON
21. Cheryl Phillips (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON
22. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC)

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S NATIONS CUP
The Nations Cup tournaments are organized jointly by USA Rugby, the RFUW (England) and Rugby Canada. Two tournaments are held every other year, one for the senior women’s national teams and one for the women’s Under-20 national teams, with rotating host locations. Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team will compete in the 2011 Nations Cup in Ontario, Canada, from August 2nd through 14th.

To view all the scores and rosters from the schedule, go here.