Nations Cup Rugby: England-France and Canada-South Africa

There is more Nations Cup Rugby today, make sure to check out England vs France at 4:30EST and Canada vs South Africa at 6:30EST.

You can either view the video here or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

For full rosters and schedule of Nations Cup 2009, go here.

Live video by Ustream

Canada vs South Africa

As Zandile Nojoko shredded the French defence on Monday evening the South African squad rallied behind her and almost came away with the opening win of the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup.

From a distance Canadian senior women’s Head Coach John Long sat with his staff noting which players his team would have to shut down on Thursday evening when Canada kicks off their campaign in Oakville.

“Their fly half is extremely strong and has a great kicking game,” Long said on Tuesday night as he was finalizing his game day roster. “They’re a passionate squad and we have to be able to contain them and at the same time try and play our own game.”

Long’s squad features a number of Sevens players capable of handling South Africa’s abrasive style of play and while South Africa may rely on certain performers in their lineup, his game plan requires all 15 players to step up to the plate.

“The whole dynamic of our team is that we work well together,” Long added. “We’ve got some backs that can do some damage so as long as we have our forwards set a good platform, I’m sure we can play some good rugby.”

In the end France rallied deep into regular time to score a try and tie the match 17-17 to open the tournament. England beat the USA 36-7 in the second match of the evening to give the English a temporary hold on top spot for the two week tournament. You can visit www.womensnationscup.com or www.rugbycanada.ca for more information on the tournament.

The match between Canada and South Africa (0-0-1) is set for 6:30pm EST at Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario. In the opening match France(0-0-1) takes on England (1-0)

Canada team to Face South Africa

1. Tabitha Stavrou (Toronto Irish)
2. Lesley McKenzie (Johnsonville RFC)
3. Marlene Donaldson (Velox Valkyries)
4. Paige Burdett (Calgary Irish)
5. Marie Eve Brindamour Carignan (Town of Mount Royal)
6. Jennifer Kish (Lep Tiger’s)
7. Gillian Florence (Ste Anne de Bellevue RFC)
8. Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads)
9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish)
10. Brooke Hilditch Yeoman
11. Brittany Waters (Meraloma Rugby)
12. Stevie Schnoor (United RFC)
13. Mandy Marchak (Capilano RFC)
14. Marie Gallo (Burnaby Lake)
15. Ashley Patzer (Lethbridge)
16. Leslie Cripps (London Saracens)
17. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake)
18. Heather Jaques (Capilano RFC)
19. Barbara Mervin (Velox Valkyries)
20. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake)
21. Sarah Ulmer (London Saracens)
22. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal)

Coach: John Long
Assistant Coach: Kris De Scossa
Manager: Eva Havaris

South Africa Roster
Forwards: Onicca Moaga, Portia Jonga, Mandisa Williams, Ramona Brown, Nomathamsanqa Faleni, Cebisa Kula, Lamla Momoti, Zandile Nojoko, Donna Sidumbu, Namhla Siyolo, Michelle Kona, Nombulelo Mayongo, Wendy Khumalo, Dolly Mavumengwana, Claudia Thompson, Nosipho Poswa, Yolanda Meiring, Natasha Hofmeester, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Saloma Booysen, Lorinda Brown, Phumeza Gadu, Zenay Jordaan, Marilize Jordaan, Aimee Barrett, Cherne Roberts.

England vs France

England's squad:
Charlotte Barras, Sarah Beale, Rachael Burford, Rochelle Clark, Rebecca Essex, Heather Fisher, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming, Sarah Hunter, Karen Jones, Joanna McGilchrist, Katy McLean, Katherine Merchant, Kimberley Oliver, Fiona Pocock, Claire Purdy, Sam Reeve, Alice Richardson, Georgina Rozario, Emily Scarratt, Gemma Sharples, Catherine Spencer, Katy Storie, Amy Turner, Danielle Waterman.

France’s squad:
Sandrine Agricole, Celine Allainmat, Sonia Amat, Manon Audre, Clémence Audebert, Aurélie Bailon, Céline Barthelemy, Cyrielle Bouisset, Claire Canal, Lucie Canal, Aurélia Cellier, Clotilde Flaugere, Lucille Godiveau, Marie Charlotte Hebel, Nadège Labbey, Caroline Ladagnous, Christelle Le Duff, Sandrine Legros, Stéphanie Loyer, Cyndia Mansard, Emilie Moreaux, Audrey Noguera, Alexandra Pertus, Elodie Poublan, Sandra Rabier, Cindy Reynaud, Laetitia Salles, Jennifer Troncy, Amandine Vaupre, Marie Alice Yahe.

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