On October 5–6, with the backdrop of the mountains at the Langley Events Centre, three UBC alumni took to the field in the WXV1 women’s rugby tournament.
Shoshanah Seumanutafa and Rori Wood represented Canada, while Mackenzie Carson played for the English Red Roses.
WXV is an international rugby 15’s tournament organized by World Rugby, consisting of three tiers of six countries each. It’s played over the course of three weekends from September 29–October 12. WXV1 is the top tier of the tournament and includes Canada, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA.
Canada tops Ireland 21–8
Starting Saturday’s game, Canada looked ready to build off last weekend’s 46–24 win over France. But, Ireland was also coming off a win (29–27 over New Zealand) and wasn’t willing to roll over easily.
The first 20 minutes of the game were forward-heavy with a lot of back and forth play. Both teams kicked a lot and penalties were abundant for ruck-related errors and talkback to the ref.
But the crowd was incredible, cheering after hard tackles or good plays. Canadian flags and toques were abundant, but there was a good turnout of Irish fans clad in green, too.
Finally, in the 26th minute, Canada earned a penalty try. After Ireland got a yellow card, the Canadians mauled off their five meter lineout and drove over the goal line to be awarded the points.
Two more yellow cards were issued within the next four minutes, and the Irish used their penalty to kick for points. With the successful field goal, they narrowed the lead to 7–3.
But Canada struck back, scoring two tries in quick succession near the end of half. First, Claire Gallagher scored in the corner off a blindside play with Gabrielle Senft. The convert was just barely successful and gave the team the full points.
Just a minute later, Julia Omokhuale used her speed to score on the outside. Seumanutafa earned a turnover in the ruck, allowing the scrum half to grab the ball and offload to Omokhuale. The convert was also good and at halftime, Canada led 21–3.
After the break, the Irish came out with fire. They put themselves on the board in the 46th minute — winger Eimear Considine caught it and touched it down for a try in the corner. With an unsuccessful conversion, they increased the score to 21–8.
After that, most play stayed in the neutral zone, aside from a few Canadian chances that couldn’t get finished due to poor passing or knock ons. With good defensive structure and line speed, the Canadians held the Irish to single digits with a final score of 21–8.
Wood, who graduated from UBC last year after five years with the ‘Birds, made her international debut for Canada during the game.
“I was a little overwhelmed at first,” she said. “But once I stepped on the pitch, it was like ‘It’s just a rugby game, just go out there and play.'"
“I’m just honestly happy it was at home and I could be with my family and friends.”
English rise to high scoring victory over New Zealand
On Sunday’s sunny afternoon, reigning WXV1 champions England battled New Zealand, walking away with a 49–31 win. It was an incredible display of rugby with lots of back-and-forth action.
The scoring started early with a try by the Black Ferns just six minutes in. Kaipo Olsen-Baker picked off the back of a 5 meter scrum and dodged her way to put the team up 7–0.
England quickly evened the score though. With a cross-field drive and good passing, Abby Dow earned a try in the corner after fending off a defender and Helena Rowland got the conversion.
Momentum stayed with the Red Roses, keeping offensive pressure with their physicality and speed of their back three. They used both their forwards and backs to their advantage, scoring one more try with each unit to put them up 17–7.
New Zealand earned one try of their own — a beautiful skip pass from Ruahei Demantto to Ayesha Leti-I'iga — but England added another just before the half for a 22–12 advantage before the break.
England continued their scoring assault after halftime. Although New Zealand did well with creating turnovers at the ruck, they couldn’t keep possession — and England capitalized with three more tries.
The Black Ferns looked to turn it around in the 55th minute, with a try by Georgia Ponsonby. They had line breaks that got the crowd to their feet, including one from Olsen-Baker who made it halfway down the pitch with an interception. Although she was caught, her offload to Maiakawanakaulani Roos led them to close the gap 39–24.
However, momentum shifted again and the Red Roses earned two more tries, once again utilizing their layered game play and physical forwards. New Zealand rebutted with a last-play try, but it wasn’t enough to catch the English and the game ended 49–31.
“New Zealand lost against Ireland last week so they were hungry for a win,” said Carson. “But we just stuck to our processes, stuck to our plan and delivered to them.”
Carson, from Langley, played for UBC on and off from 2016 to 2023 before playing professionally in England. In 2023, she switched her national allegiance to England, where her mother had citizenship, and earned her 20th cap for the Red Roses on Sunday.
Next up, no. 1 ranked England will face no. 2 ranked Canada on October 12 at BC Place. Both with 2–0 records, the winner of the game will be named the 2024 WXV 1 champions.
“I think it’ll be a huge game,” said Carson. “It's really cool for me personally, but I think for the Canadian team as a whole as well, it'll be really exciting for them.”
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