A former Wales World Cup player will be looking to defeat Wales tomorrow at The Gnoll when Wales take on Canada in a women’s international (kick-off 3pm).
Canada, whose women’s side are playing in Wales for the first time, are being coached by Matty Barron, a former Toronto Wolfpack captain who won 10 caps for the Wales men’s rugby league side between 2008 and 2017.
Barron, who started with Wales U19s helped the Wales men’s side win the 2009 and 2015 European Championships, and made one World Cup appearance, playing against Fiji in Townsville in the 2017 tournament.
Sunday’s match against Wales will be a first test of Barron’s side since Canada beat Ireland to third place in the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series in Ontario last Autumn, with Cassie Mann, Dani Cox, Erika Scott, Hanna Tonet, Payton McNeill, Tatiana Joseph and Larae Benoit all potential debutants.
York Valkyrie pair Megan Pakulis and Petra Woods are also included in their squad.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against Wales and measuring ourselves against quality opposition,” said Barron. “We’ve brought together a strong mix of experienced veterans and talented debutants, creating a squad that combines composure, skill and plenty of attacking threat.
“The competition for positions has been outstanding, adding depth across the team and pushing everyone to elevate their game. The new players haven’t just joined the squad—they’ve challenged for jerseys and raised the standard. We’re looking forward to seeing how much we’ve grown since the World Series.”
The game will be played to NRLW rules, including being of 70 minutes’ duration, as part of Wales’s preparation for the World Cup which will be played under them.
Other rule changes include…
- Interchange: The NRLW allows up to 10 interchanges per match, compared to eight in the NRL.
- No six-agains: The six-again rule implemented in 2020 does not apply to the women’s game, with penalties only.
- Modified 40/20: The 40/20 and 20/40 rules have been modified for the NRLW with the 40/30 and 20/50 rules, a reduction of 10 metres.
Welsh referee James Jones, who tells us that he has spent a lot of time educating himself on the changes, will take charge of the fixture.
Tickets are available at: https://events.liveit.io/wales-rugby-league/wales-vs-canada-womens-international/
Live Streaming will be on: https://lounges.tv/lounge/EuTxwuLdGi
Canada Squad
Cassie Mann, Dani Cox, Dani Franada, Alanna Fittes, Brittany Jones, Rebecca Kochuck, Sarah Maguire, Savannah Bacchus, Larae Benoit, Maddy Aberg (Alberta Broncos), Gabrielle Hindley, Payton McNeill (BC Storm), Erika Scott, Tatiana Joseph, Natasha Naismith, Hannah Tonet, Tamisha Toussaint (Ontario Osprey), Megan Pakulis, Petra Woods (York Valkyries)
