With files from Matt Tidcombe, Rugby Canada Communications
WOMEN WIN 48-7 IN IRELAND
DUBLIN — Canada's senior women's team ran in seven tries in a convincing 48-7 win over Ireland in the opening game of their November tour.
Canada got tries from Julianne Zussman (2), DaLeaka Menin, Karen Paquin, Emily Belchos, Laura Russell and Magali Harvey while Andrea Burk kicked 13 points.
"We are pleased to win against Ireland," head coach Francois Ratier said. "There is still some room for improvement but I think we were able to maintain the continuity with our forwards and make sure that when we passed to the backs we had a clear option to score."
It was clinical display from Canada against the No. 5 ranked team in the world highlighted by a dominant first half display where Canada took a 24-0 lead into the break.
Menin got things started in the seventh minute, crashing over sustained pressure from the visitors. After Burk's penalty pushed the lead to 10-0, Zussman grabbed her first try of the day as she exchanged passes with winger Elissa Alarie before touching down for a 17-0 lead.
Paquin grabbed a third Canadian try just before the half time whistle as she powered over from the back of a ruck.
"The score does not reflect how tough it was," Latoya Blackwood said. "I think we performed well. We had a week to prepare and that really helped."
Ireland responded well to start the second half as Nikki Caughey scored and converted her own try to cut Canada's lead to 24-7 in the 47th minute.
However, it was all Canada from there on out though as Belchos, Russell, Harvey and Zussman all touched down in the final 25 minutes to maintain Canada's unbeaten 2016 record.
Canada returns to action on Wednesday against No. 1 ranked New Zealand. The game can be seen LIVE by clicking here. Kickoff is 9:30am ET/6:30am PT.
The Women's team is now ranked No. 2 in the world!
MEN LOSE A TOUGH ONE TO ROMANIA
BUCHAREST — Canada fell 21-16 to Romania in the second match of their November Tour Saturday.
Phil Mack scored Canada's lone try while Gordon McRorie kicked nine points. Romania's Florin Vlaicu scored 16 of his side's 21 points.
Canada started the better side, buoyed by Taylor Paris winning the opening kickoff before McRorie slotted Canada ahead just two minutes in with a penalty.
However, Romania came fighting back and should have had two tries if not for outstanding defensive work by DTH van der Merwe and Matt Evans. Yet they would find their first try on the third attempt as Vlaicu powered over a McRorie tackle to touch down before converting himself.
After Vlaicu and McRorie exchanged penalties, Canada thought they had their first try of the game as Conor Trainor collected a loose ball off a high kick but it was determined the ball had been knocked on by Paris' shoulder.
Romania had their second try in the 24th minute as scrum-half Florin Surugiu chipped behind the Canadian back line and Ionut Dumitru was the beneficiary to push the lead to 15-6 before Vlaicu's penalty made it 18-6 at the break.
Canada came roaring out of the gates in the second half and despite an endless wave of phases inside the Romanian 22, they couldn't find a try.
Vlaicu pushed Romania's lead to 21-6 before McRorie grabbed his third penalty of the night.
Mack would touch down for Canada in the 74th minute after Connor Braid was stopped just short of the try line but Canada couldn't muster any more offence as they narrowly lost to Romania for the third time in as many years.
Canada concludes its November Tour Friday against Samoa. Kickoff is 3pm ET/12pm PT with broadcast details to be confirmed.
