Canada couldn’t have asked for a better start in their Pool B clash with Great Britain at the HSBC SVNS Perth on Saturday, with Carissa Norsten taking the kick-off to the house for a try inside the first 15 seconds at HBF Park.
It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, with Norsten leaping highest to take the kick-off, before immediately bursting into a sprint. There was no one between Norsten and the try line, with the Paris Olympian racing away for the opening points in Canada’s 19-7 win.
Olivia Apps added the extras from in front, with the Canadians off to an idyllic start in a must-win group-stage match. Canada’s Krissy Scurfield was next to strike, only for Georgie Lingham from effectively cancelling out that effort with Great Britain’s first.
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Alysha Corrigan extended Canada’s advantage soon after, and then Norsten stole the show by completing a hat-trick during the second term. Savannah Bauder and Eden Kilgour also got on the scoresheet as the Canadians keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Apps and Fancy Bermudez were among the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup stars back in the mix for Canada at last weekend’s stop at SVNS Singapore. The Canadians made the final four for the first time this season, falling to Australia at the National Stadium.
Following a 24-12 defeat to France to start their campaign in Perth, Canada searched for a win against GB ahead of a match-up with Australia later on Saturday. With only two teams from each pool progressing to the semi-finals, every moment and match counts on the Series.
“Honestly, I’m just here to play rugby and have a good time with my teammates,” Breanne Nicholas said on the broadcast after becoming Canada’s all-time tournament appearance leader.
“Biance (Farella) is one of those teammates that set the path and I got a pleasure to play alongside many other Canadians.
“I’m just happy to still be able to come out here and play and support Canada and my teammates.”
In other women’s matches during the second session, the USA ran away with a 38-14 win over Japan. Su Adegoke and Kaylen Thomas continue to impress on the SVNS Series, with both scoring doubles in this Pool A fixture.
Kelsey Teneti finished with a hat-trick of tries and Mahina Paul crossed for a double, as the Black Ferns Sevens recorded a 36-5 victory against Fiji. Verenaisi Ditavutu was Fiji’s only try-scorer in this match.
Finally, Maddison Levi was a clear standout in Australia’s 26-12 win against France. The try-scoring phenomenon had a first-half double, while co-captain Isabella Nasser raced more than half the length of the field just before the break.