Canada player ratings: Front-rower shows ‘extraordinary’ work-rate while flanker proves to be ‘nightmare opponent’

Canada drew 26-26 with England on Saturday in World Rugby’s WXV1, in what can only be described as a game for the ages.

Here are our Canada player ratings.

Backs

15 Claire Gallagher: In the first half, she booted the ball out on the full under no real pressure, and struggled to get into the game as it went on. Made a couple of clever kicks, but generally sub-standard compared to her normally high standards. 4

14 Asia Hogan-Rochester: Forced to work hard with little space, but excelled when presented with a gap. Scored an absolute worldie midway through the first half, bouncing off three would-be defenders, but the score was chalked off due to a forward pass in the build-up. Easy to see why she’s so dominant against weaker sides. 8

13 Florence Symonds: Such a mixed back for the outside centre. Four missed tackles isn’t good reading for anyone. But she carried the ball incredibly well, beating four defenders and making 51 metres from just seven carries – no one can complain about that efficiency. 7

12 Alex Tessier: Forced to use her boot a lot – 15 times to be exact. She didn’t do anything to stain her day, carried well when she needed to, but generally just played the territory game well. 7

11 Charity Williams: Didn’t touch the ball too often, but did get the opportunity to stretch her legs at times, which she did with distinction. Could do with venturing inside to look for the ball more in future. 5

10 Taylor Perry: A brilliant running game at times, but just failed to get on the ball enough. All the direction came from nine, with Perry often translucent in attack. 6

9 Olivia Apps: The veteran scrum-half looked lively throughout, controlling the attack and giving a great variation of passing. Was key in both of Menin’s tries, and scored her own under the posts to level the score. 8

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Forwards

8 Lizzie Gibson: The versatile back-rower cleverly spotted the gap to score Canada’s opener and made plenty of tackles in the first half, faded in the second, however. 6

7 Julia Omokhuale: Absolutely everywhere, making 19 tackles, solid in the lineout, and a nightmare opponent on the England throw. 8

6 Rachel Smith: Made a huge opening hit, and continued in the same vein, leading the Canadian tackle chart with nine by the end of the first half. Switched to attacking mode in the second, being used as a key ball carrier before being brought off with 15 minutes left on the clock. 8

5 Laetitia Royer: Made an impressive break early on, but from then on had just one thing in mind: tackles, tackles, and more tackles. Solid. 6

4 Sophie de Goede: Her 25th appearance as captain. She did her fair share in defence, but her shining moment came as an incredible break down the left-hand side, palming off two defenders to set Apps up for her try. 7

3 DaLeaka Menin: Her 14th try for Canada came midway through the first half, barreling over from close range, and her 15th came at the end of the half in very much the same manner. Performed excellently in the lineout and made a couple of excellent turnovers on the England ball. 8

2 Kiki Idowu: Her powerful leg drive led to the first score, and her darts – although not perfect – were solid in the lineout. She did everything expected of her and kept herself busy with 14 carries and an extraordinary 21 tackles, and lasted the full 80 minutes. 9

1 Mikiela Nelson: A quiet showing really, but her work in the scrum was excellent as always. Nothing to complain too heavily about. 5

Replacements: They weathered the English attack well, defending with all their might. They’ll be disappointed not to have added any attacking nous to proceedings, but securing the draw will go down as a victory in their eyes. 7

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