By BRIAN LOWE
North America Editor
LOOKING to build on an impressive first-up run at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, Canada has named its team for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Nines tournament.
The squad is mostly made up of players from the Ravens’ World Cup team with two debutants being included – Justine Pelletier from Quebec and Alanna Fittes from Edmonton.
Pelletier recently returned from Rugby Canada’s tour of England and Fittes has previously represented the Maple Leafs.
This will be the inaugural women’s nines tournament and Canada has been slotted into Pool B alongside Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Canada coach Mike Castle thinks they have picked a team with a skill set that will suit the abbreviated game.
“Obviously not having to play Australia until the finals is a positive, if we make it that far, of course,” said Castle.
“I’m certainly not expecting our pool games against Tonga and Cook Islands to be easy. The Cook Islands had a similar story to us at the World Cup and beat England in their last pool game. They could easily have made the finals and they have some quality athletes.
“Tonga are an unknown, but I’d expect them to be physical, so it will be a good challenge.”
The coach says the team is excited to get back together and build on where they left off after the WRLWC.
“Most of our team have now played five or six games of rugby league, so that and the combinations we’ve started to develop should certainly give us some confidence.
“We know we still have a lot to learn though.”
On the flipside, the players and staff are having to foot the bill themselves to get to the Gold Coast because the tournament hasn’t attracted the same level of funding from the RLIF as did the World Cup.
“The fact everyone is willing to do that to represent their country and play this great game is an indication of just how excited we are,” added Castle.
“We had such a great time at the World Cup, and we can’t wait to have some more fun playing this great game!”
Canada squad:
1. Alanna Fittes
2. Maira Acevedo
3. Janai Haupapa
4. Andrea Burk
5. Tiera Thomas-Reynolds
6. Justine Pelletier
7. Sabrina McDaid
8. Mackenzie Fane
9. Christine Burnham
10. Gillian Boag
11. Megan Pakulis
12. Kathleen Keller
13. Stevi Schnoor
14. Natalie Tam
15. Fedelia Omoghan
