Team Canada defeated Fiji 65-7 in their first game of the Women’s World Cup of Rugby on Saturday in York, England. Canada had an amazing performance from Julia Schell of Uxbridge, Ontario, who had six tries. Schell had tries in the 50th minute, 53rd minute, 54th minute, 61st minute, 69th minute, and 72nd minute. It is interesting that Schell had her first try when Canada was leading 24-7. Schell was not only the leading scorer for Canada, but is the leading scorer in the entire tournament so far with six tries and 30 points.
Five more Canadians recorded a try on Saturday. They were Sophie de Goede of Victoria, British Columbia, Gillian Boag of Calgary, Alberta, Caroline Crossley of New Westminster, British Columbia, Alysha Corrigan of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Karen Paquin of Quebec City, Quebec. Crossley and Corrigan won a silver medal for Canada in women’s rugby sevens at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Paquin won a bronze medal for Canada in women’s rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Team Canada next plays Wales on August 30 in Pool B action. They then play Scotland on September 6. Scotland also won their Pool B game on Saturday as they beat Wales 38-8.