Local Ruggers Bound for 2025 Rugby World Cup Glory
Two standout athletes from the Peninsula are gearing up for rugby’s biggest stage—the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. South Surrey’s Rachel Smith and White Rock’s Shoshanah Seumanutafa have been named to Team Canada’s final 32-player squad for the international showdown, which begins in August.
Smith, a powerhouse forward and Earl Marriott Secondary alumna, will make her tournament debut. Seumanutafa, a back from White Rock, is also set to represent the nation in her first World Cup appearance. The announcement came Thursday (July 24), as head coach Kevin Rouet unveiled the roster that reflects months of rigorous preparation and competitive depth.
Building a Balanced, Battle-Ready Team
Rouet emphasized the commitment behind the team’s selection: “We believe in the group we have chosen and in the process that brought us here.” However, he acknowledged that their journey is just beginning. Canada’s opening match pits them against Fiji, marking the first step in what he calls their “next stage” toward glory.
This year’s squad features 21 veterans from the 2021 Rugby World Cup, including seasoned players like Tyson Beukeboom, Olivia DeMerchant, and Karen Paquin—each returning for their fourth appearance. The lineup also includes seven Olympians from Canada’s Women’s Sevens team who recently secured a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
Youth Meets Experience in 2025 Lineup
Smith and Seumanutafa are among 11 fresh faces making their Rugby World Cup debut. Rouet said that building squad depth has been a key priority since the last tournament. That focus brought tough choices. “We had more than 32 players capable of competing,” he said, “but that made final decisions even harder.”
Before heading overseas, Team Canada will play one last match on home soil—against the U.S. on August 1 at TD Place in Ottawa. Organizers hope to break North America’s women’s rugby attendance record set at the same stadium in 2023. The game-day lineup will be announced July 30.
What’s Ahead in England
Once in England, Canada will battle it out in Pool B alongside Scotland, Wales, and Fiji. Fans can catch all the action live on TSN and TSN+. For detailed match info, visit rugby.ca.
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