After naming his first side for International duty – new Canadian women’s team head coach John Long admits it was a nerve wracking process to select the players that traveled to Denver to take on the USA in a pair of matches.
Canada’s A squad takes on its US equivalents on Tuesday night at Glendale’s Infinity Park to kick off the pair of games – that will also feature a full test match on Saturday at the same location.
“I’m a little nervous and a little apprehensive as always, but they will come through I am sure,” said the Alberta based coach who pointed to the high quality of athletes coming through the provincial programs as part of the selection dilemma.
“The standard of athletes coming through those programs is extremely high,” he admitted. “I have sixty athletes that are all capable of playing international rugby. It’s a great headache to have but these are the girls that are here to push for a spot on the (World Cup) team in 2010.”
Long’s USA counterpart Kathy Flores says while she has been working hard on the fundamentals for her team – they are very much preparing for what Canada will bring to the pitch.
“Our game plan is focused around Canada,” admitted Flores on Monday. “We know how Canada plays – they are very physical and have a good passing game, so I am hoping our pass pressure has increased so we can take care of them.”
Canadian skipper Brooke Hilditch, a veteran on the team since being first capped in 2003, is relishing her role of Captain – as well as being the fly-half.
“I think it’s an honour to Captain the team,” she beamed. “I have been with the team since 2003 so I am honoured to lead the team. Definitely I think I am always a leader on the team so I definitely will be that on the day of the game for sure.”
Canada A plays USA A Tuesday evening – a 6PM MST start (5 PM PST - 8 PM EST).
Rugby Canada and USA Rugby are still working with the city of Glendale over digital streaming issues from the Stadium. At a minimum there will be a radio broadcast of the match – but it is hoped there will be a resolution reached during the day on Tuesday to provide a video stream of the match.
The audio feed of the match will be available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby
Canada A side to face USA A
Name (Club/Hometown)
1. Tabatha Stavro Toronto Irish/Niatara
2. Ashley McDonald Lethbridge/Corrn-ban PEI
3. Corrine Jacobsen Burnaby Lake/Maple Ridge
4. Danielle Rowlands Calgary Irish/Colonsay
5. Marie Eve Brindamour-Carrigan Town of Mount Royal/St Ferreol-les-Neiges
6. Jen Kish Leprechaun Tigers/Edmonton
7. Shannon Kane Velox Valkeries/Ottawa
8. Kelly Russell Nomads/Bolton ONT
9. Julia Sugarwara Burnaby Lake/Surrey
10. Brooke Hilditch Yeomen/Mississauga
11. Andrea Burk Capilano/N Vancouver
12. Stevie Schnoor United/Coquitlan
13. MJ Blais Town of Mount Royal/Montreal
14. Tara Eckert Calgary Irish/Saskatoon
15. D'arcy Paterson Capilano/N Vancouver
Replacements
16. Kim Donaldson Burnaby Lake/Vancouver
17. Nicole Tyminski Edmonton Druids/Regina
18. Paige Burdette Calgary Irish/Fort Macloud
19. Barbara MervinVelox Valkeries/Peterborough
20. Laura Stoughton Calgary Irish/Saskatoon
21. Cheryl Phillips Toronto Scottish/Toronto
22. Sarah Ulmer Saracens ENG/Regina
Coach: John Long
Asst: Kris de Scossa
Strength: Paul Balsom
Manager Cheryl Foreman
Doctor Rosalind Mullin
Therapist Jean Shaw
Massage therapist Melody Lee
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