Canada’s juniors whitewash USA

Photo: USA rugby

The remarkable Canadian rugby production line shows no sign of slowing after a week of international U18 and U20 rugby in Ottawa.

U18 series

This was the first CanAm series at this age group – and on the second ever series, after Canada’s series in England in 2016.

1stAugust: Game 1: Canada 58, United States 12

Canada drew first blood after a USA forward pass in the first 10 minutes of the match. Their ability to maintain possession in the rucks caused issues for the USA all match long, but the times USA had the ball did not go unnoticed. Physicality by centres Lolohea Makaafi and Salote Tausinga opened up some opportunities for the USA to attack. Their two tries came from Elizabeth Wilson and Sacramento's Fane "Eti" Haungatau, in the first half. Flyhalf Alexandra DiMarco added the conversion performed well in the middle of the field. Twins Tiana and Tiara A'au also ensured that Canada stayed honest on defence with strong running and ruck contests of their own.

Despite this Canada built a 29-12 lead by the break through four first half tries before adding another four in the second half to secure a dominant win. Marginal errors kept the All-Americans out of the try zone in the second half, even after several attempts to touch down. Canada managed to seize the turnover opportunities presented, allowing them to pull ahead as the clock winded down.

Valerie Wideski, Courtney Holtkamp, Bridget Peros, Taylor Black, Hunter Czeppel, Rori Wood, Berlyn Seselja and Lily Stewart all scored tries for Canada while Seselja kicked an additional 18 points.

"Overall, I was really happy with the performance we put in”, said Coach Dan Valley. “Our intention coming in was to be dominant at set-piece, confrontational at the point of contact, and aggressive with our pressure defensively, and we were successful in all three areas.”

"We played a lot of defence so it was difficult to develop a good flow on attack," said USA U18 captain Cassidy Bargell. "We created a lot of opportunities which is exciting because now we just need to focus on execution."

CanadaU18:1. Holly Phillips; 2. Erika Barton; 3. Valerie Wideski; 4. Alyson Macdougall; 5. Rori Wood; 6. Courtney Holtkamp ; 7. Shaye Tudor (C); 8. Celia Martensson; 9. Berlyn Seselja; 10. Taylor Black; 11. Bridget Peros; 12. Lily Stewart; 13. Emma Frey; 14. Kyra Maybee; 15. Hunter CzeppelReserves:16. Lauren Melanson; 17. Tanika Bonneville; 18 Idia Ihensekhien; 19 Vyktoria Brochu; 20. Alayna Scramstad; 21. Brogan Mior; 22. Sarah Hoerig;

United States U18 (“Girls High School All-Americans”):1. Fane Haungatau; 2. Jordan Cowan; 3. Tiara A'au; 4. Gracie Cartwright; 5. Tiana A'au; 6. Madylyn Becker; 7. Elizabeth Wilson; 8. Julia Riekena; 9. Morgan Freeman; 10. Alexandra DiMarco; 11. Brianna Vasquez; 12. Lolohea Makaafi; 13. Salote Tausinga; 14. Marion Sellier; 15. Cassidy Bargell (C)Reserves:16. Kateleen Dela Paz; 17. Shariyf Mayer; 18. Madison Jumper; 20. Leilani Mendoza; 21. Allison Koeing; 22. Malery Billingy; 23. Matja Saarenheimo-Vanderhorst; 24. Haley Harris

5thAugust: Game 2: Canada 58, United States 12

Canada U18 defeated USA 25-5 on Saturday evening at the University of Ottawa to capture the two-game CAN-AM Series.  Canada's tries were scored by Valerie Wydeski (x2), Taylor Black, Hunter Czeppel & Vyktoria Brochu. The USA's lone score was through Julia Riekena.

Canada U18:1. Holly Phillips, Alberta (Calgary Irish.); 2. Brianna Martey; 3. Tanika Bonneville, British Columbia (Bayside.); 4. Alyson MacDougall, Alberta (Calgary Irish.); 5. Valerie Wideskie, British Columbia (Bayside.); 6. Courtney Holtkamp, Alberta (Red Deer Titans.); 7. Shaye Tudor (Captain), British Columbia (Castaway Wanderers.); 8. Celia Martensson, Ontario (Aurora Barbarians.); 9. Alayna Scramstad, Saskatchewan (Lashburn Lucky.); 10. Taylor Black, Ontario (Oakville Crusaders.); 11. Bridget Peros, Ontario (Oakville Crusaders.); 12. Lily Stewart, Ontario (Peterborough Pagans.); 13. Brogan Mior); 14. Sarah Hoerig, Ontario (Oshawa Vikings.); 15. Hunter Czeppel, British Columbia (Abbotsford.)Reserves:16. Lauren Melanson, Nova Scotia (Halifax.); 17. Rori Wood, British Columbia (Westshore RFC.); 18. Idia Ihensekhien, Ontario (Crusaders.); 19. Vyktoria Brochu, Alberta (Aurora Barbarians.); 20. Berlyn Seselja, British Columbia (Bayside.); 21. Erika Barton, Ontario (Kingston Panthers.); 22. Kyra Maybee, Ontario (Peterborough Pagans.); 23. Emma Frey, Ontario (Oshawa Viking.

United States U18 (“Girls High School All-Americans”):1. Fane Haungatau; 2. Jordan Cowan; 3. Tiara A'au; 4. Samantha Tancredi; 5. Gracie Cartwright; 6. Sharyf Mayer; 7. Elizabeth Wilson; 8. Julia Riekena; 9. Morgan Freeman; 10. Alexandra DiMarco; 11. Cassidy Bargell (C); 12. Lolohea Makaafi; 13. Tiana A'Au; 14. Malery Billingy; 15. Allison KoenigReserves:16. Kateleen Dela Paz; 17. Madison Jumper; 18. Madylyn Becker; 19. Haley Harris; 20. Leilani Mendoza; 21. Matja Saarenheimo-Vanderhorst; 22. Salote Tausinga; 23. Brianna Vasquez;

U20 series

This was the second CanAm U20 series, after the two game series in 2015 at Central Washington University, which the USA won 2-0.

3rdAugust: Game 1: Canada 45, United States 24

Canada's U20 women rolled to a 45-24 win over the USA behind a seven-try performance.

Canada's forward-driven attack and ability to maintain possession of the ball was a huge contribution to their 48-point win in the end, with tries from captain McKinley Hunt (2), Taejah Thompson, Abigail Duguid, Kassell Menin, Veronica Harrigan and Julia Schell in a dominant performance.

Canada took a 19-14 lead into the break after three first half tries while scoring four more in the second half at Gees-Gee Field.

Canada found the try zone early. USA answered back with a try of their own shortly after, a result of keeping the ball alive long enough to put Seattle Saracen's Adi Finau Tamaivena into space. Fly half Bayleigh Gable converted the try to even up the scoreboard.

It didn't take long for Canada to find their way inside USA's 22 metre line, which is where this team shone. Multiple pick and goes put Canada's No. 5 Abigail Duguid in. Another converted kick and Canada was back in the lead. USA ruck contests, something Kat Ramage and Michel Navarro showed their experience from the 2015 series in, and big hits from Captain Suiluana A'au kept possession even. U18 Emily Henrich, who had been called-up from the U18 squad, showed her ability with try of her own after a quick tap off a penalty. Both teams were able to capitalize on one another's small errors throughout the first half. With another forward's try before the half, Canada headed into the second half in favour, 19-14.

The Canadian pack brought the energy back to the second half as tries were scored by both props and two from their lock and captain McKinley Hunt. Before Hunt's second, a turnover ball was quickly moved through the USA U20’s hands in what looked like a stagnant situation, but full back and Fallbrook product Lilly Durbin came busting through a gap with a full head of steam, running 40 meters to successfully find the try zone. Canada focused on working the middle of the field while USA had success in the edges.

USA seem to have figured out Canada's strategy in the last 20 minutes of the match, and was able to adjust but it was too late for a comeback. The All-Americans did end with a dynamic team try, allowing Durbin to put BYU's Kaino Ah Quin away to dot down in the corner.

"I couldn't be prouder of the work and amount of heart our team put on the the field," said USA Vice-captain Milla Anderson. "We set a good platform to grow off of. Now we just have to focus on tightening up our game play to take advantage of when we are on attack."

Canada U20:Veronica Harrigan; Sarah Cline; Kassell Menin; McKinley Hunt (C); Abigail Duguid; Emilie Nicholl; Genevieve Kasa-Vubu; Gabrielle Senft; Taylor Donato; Julia Schell; Taejah Thompson; Shawna Brayton; Jordyn Orlando; Alexandra Ondo; Niamh HaugheyReserves:Jennifer Appleby; MP Fauteux; Sydney de la Mare; Harley Tucker; Tobi Owotomo; Sasha Guedes; Christina Branch; Mckenzie Pusch;

United States U20:1. Kristina Tomelloso; 2. Kat Ramage; 3. Hannah Lewandowski; 4. Milla Anderson (VC); 5. Taylor Makowski; 6. Edna Manoa; 7. Michel Navarro; 8. Adi Finau Tamaivena; 9. Mary-Jane Pasioles; 10. Bayleigh Gable; 11. Alexandra Strasser; 12. Suiluana A'au (C); 13. Emily Henrich; 14. Kainoawaianuhea Ah Quin; 15. Lilly DurbinReserves:16. Jade Garcia; 17. Michele Reyes; 18. Annie Rolf; 19. Joanna Moreira; 20. Caitlin Weigel; 21. Olivia Ortiz; 22. Becca Jane Rosko; 23. Natalie Gray

7thAugust: Game 2: Canada 50, United States 12

Canada closed out the series with an emphatic 50-12 win over USA on Monday morning at the University of Ottawa.

Coach Jen Boyd's side ran in eight tries en route to victory, while only allowing two scores from the visiting Americans. With the win, Canada secured the series with an aggregate two-game score of 95-36.

Canada U20:1. Veronica Harrigan – (London St. George’s) Lucan, ON; 2. Jennifer Appleby – (Castaway Wanderers) Regina, SK; 3. Kasselle Menin – (Calgary Hornets) Vulcan, AB; 4. McKinley Hunt – (Aurora Barbarians) King City, ON; 5. Abigail Duguid – (Edmonton Pirates) Edmonton, AB; 6. Emilie Nicholl – (Guelph Redcoats) Toronto, ON; 7. Tobi Owotomo - (Toronto Saracens Rugby Club); 8. Gabrielle Senft, Captain – (Castaway Wanderers) Regina, SK; 9. Sasha Guedes – (Beaconsfield RFC) Gatineau, QC; 10. Julia Schell – (Guelph Redcoats) Guelph, ON; 11. Taejah Thompson – (CCIAC) Fruitvale, BC; 12. Mckenzie Pusch – (St. Albert RC) St. Albert, AB; 13. Jordyn Orlando – (Toronto Scottish) Burlington, ON; 14. Christina Branch – (Markham Irish) Oshawa, ON; 15. Alexandra Ondo – (NS Keltics/Ottawa Irish) Gatineau, QCReserves:16. Sarah Cline – (Edmonton Pirates) Edmonton, AB; 17. MP Fauteux – (Abenakis de Sherbrooke) Sherbrooke, QC; 18. Sydney de la Mare – (St. Albert RC) St. Albert, AB; 19. Harley Tucker – (Hornets) Black Diamond, AB; 20. Genevieve Kasa-Vubu – (Guelph Redcoast) Guelph, ON; 21. Taylor Donato – (Ottawa Irish) Ottawa, ON; 22. Niamh Haughey – (Saracens) Scarborough, ON; 23. Ellen Spannagel

USA U20:1. Kristina Tomelloso; 2. Hannah Lewandowski; 3. Annie Rolf; 4. Milla Anderson (VC); 5. Taylor Makowski; 6. Edna Manoa; 7. Michel Navarro; 8. Adi Finau Tamaivena; 9. Kat Ramage; 10. Bayleigh Gable; 11. Kainoawaianuhea Ah Quin; 12. Suiluana A'au (C); 13. Emily Henrich; 14. Becca Jane Rosko; 15. Lilly DurbinReserves:16. Jade Garcia; 17. Michele Reyes; 18. Natalie Gray; 19. Joanna Moreira; 20. Mary-Jane Pasioles; 21. Olivia Ortiz; 22. Caitlin Weigel; 23. Alexandra Strasser;