Canada and USA will go head to head later today in the Americas Women’s Rugby League World Cup Qualifer’s Final at North Florda University.

The winner will join Fiji, Ireland and Nigeria in 2025’s World Series to battle it out for the final berth at the 2026 event in Australia.

The game kicks off at 4pm local time and both sides will be primed for action, with Canada, as highest ranked team had the bye into the final, having warmed up against a USA Pioneers side on Wednesday, whilst USA swept Jamaica aside 44-0 in the semi-final. 

“This game will be a really good challenge for us” said Canada Head Coach Mike Castle.  “It’s obvious the US have learned a lot since we last met in Jamaica last year and they have some players we’ll need to be wary of.  We’ve been preparing well, and we’ve got a group that have been pushing each other for positions which is testament to the work that has been done throughout the domestic season in Canada.”

Eleta Mitton and Andie Girard are in line to make their international debuts for the Ravens in the game with captain Gabrielle Hindley also quick to stress the importance of the Canadian domestic competition’s impact on the team’s improved performances.

“We’re all very honoured to be here representing Canada at the World Cup qualifiers” she added. “Over the past few years we have put a lot of work in building our domestic league and gaining experience overseas through domestic and heritage players. Our depth in players has made this the most competitive campaign for Canada yet and I’m so excited to see this group hit the pitch firing Saturday.”

USA will be seeking to replicate their form from the Jamaica game as they take on Canada, who beat them 30-4 in last year’s encounter on neutral ground in Kingston, and will be hoping that home advantage will work in their favour.

“I know that this game will be our best effort” USA Captain Samantha Black Keels enthused. “Our pack is riddled with hard hitting players that always bring an exciting element to the game. We’re thinking our game, our plan and making sure we do our jobs as a team.”

The sentiments are echoed by USA Head Coach Sean Rutgerson.

"We are looking forward to playing a good match against a strong team” he added. “We are also looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd. I'm confident in the team and the players."

Before the Final takes place, Jamaica will face a USA Pioneers team at 2pm in a match which will give the Jamaican women a further opportunity to play and the USA to give further representative opportunities to its expanding pool of female players. 

Jamaica Head Coach Andrew Dixon is grateful for the opportunity: “We are looking forward to having a good day. As a squad we are new to this and working on all the positives we can work on. We want to grow women’s Rugby League in the Americas and the additional game helps.”

And Pioneers Head Coach Billy Neilson is of a similar mindset.

“We are excited for the game, we are excited to play and we are excited to have a second opportunity to play against a different country in the same week” he noted. “Now that we've been at camp for five, six days we're getting good shape. The team is gelling, there's good communication, the communication is there and it will be a good game for both sides.”

Saturday 9th November 
2pm – USA Pioneers v Jamaica
4pm – Canada v USA (Americas Women’s RLWC Qualifiers Final)

Canada Ravens
Maddy Aberg (Alberta Broncos), Dani Franada (Alberta Broncos), Ale Lewis (Alberta Broncos), Brittany Jones (Alberta Broncos), Sarah Maguire (Alberta Broncos), Andie Girard (Ontario Ospreys), Beth Hofstetter, (Ontario Ospreys), Eleta Mitton (Ontario Ospreys), Candance Scholten (Ontario Ospreys), Natalie Tam (Ontario Ospreys), Tamisha Toussaint (Ontario Ospreys), Petra Woods (Ontario Ospreys), Catilin Sears (Sydenham Swans), Megan Pakulis (York Valkyries), Channy Crowl (St. Helens), Gabrielle Hindley (BC Strom), Ada Okonkwo (BC Storm), Rachel Choboter (Mt Albert), Lauren Mueller (London Broncos)

USA Hawks
Nicole Fisch (Chicago North Shore), Christine Sargent, Haley Sheldon, Miranda Barnard, Taylor “Memphis” White (Jacksonville Axewomen), Courtney Treco (London Broncos), Ashley Mencke, Esther Anderson, ShaMarica Scott, Tiana “Tee” Granby, Tiara “Pooki” A’au (New York State Queens), Cynthia “Cyndi” Campbell, Kadie Sanford, Marcaya Bailous, Narcisse “Keki” Jordan, Rachael Bradley, Robyn Oliveri, Samantha Black Keels, Stacia Thompson (Tampa Mischief)

USA Pioneers 
Chyna Hamm (California Rugby League); Erin Walsh, Antgetina Bean, Laura Beth Baker, Lucinda Darvell, Phoebe Caudill, Caroline Drumgoole (New York State Queens); Samantha Bickman,  Jordan Day, HP Fluharty, Gabrielle Lea Young (Jacksonville JaxAxe Women); Bee Blackmon (San Diego Barracudas); Cailan Donegan,  Katelyn Ferguson, Ella Miller, Mijjar Rashel Munganga, Wanita Rodriguez, Brittany Schmidt, Tiffeny Wysockii (Tampa Mischief)

Jamaica
Alicia Richards, Moesha Bogle, Shanice Stewart, Shanique Smith,  Sherine  Johnson (Duhaney Park Red Sharks) Kaya-Jo Laing (Featherstone), Elyse Royal (Halifax), Gianna Noble-Cunningham (Henley Hawks), Aniya Smith (Jacksonville)  Shoya Gordon,  Mackayla McCalla, (Jamaica Defence Force), Makeda Lewis (Old Albanians), Veronica Blair (North Bay), Darcey Price, (Salford), Dejonaye Cole (St Bess Sledge Hammers), Kamoya Forrest, (Tampa), Debisha Scarlett, Tarja Richards, (Washington Blvd. Bulls), Chevelle Clarke (York)