Pacific Four Series: Wallaroos v Canada Preview

Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 11:05 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Highlights of the Wallaroos v Fijiana Test match at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

The Wallaroos will open their Pacific Four campaign against Canada in Sacramento, hunting for a massive scalp.

The Australians enter the series with their confidence high following an opening Test win over Fijiana in Canberra.

Watch every second of the 2026 Wallaroos season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

However, Canada have established themselves as one of the best in the world, playing their first Test since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, where they finished runners-up.

Australia has never beaten Canada in their brief history of playing each other, including last year's quarter-final in Bristol.

Rugby.com.au breaks down everything you need to know ahead of this Test, presented by Bet365

Sunday 12 April 12:00 pm AEST – Canada v Australia at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Teams

Canada (1-15): Brittany Kassil, Emily Tuttosi, DeLaeka Menin, Julia Omokhuale, Laetitia Royer, Pamphinette Buisa, Gabrielle Senft, Fabiola Forteza, Justine Pelletier, (c) Taylor Perry, Aurora Bowie, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Chloe Daniels

Replacements: Kiki Idowu, Sierra Gillis, Brooke Rempel, Ashlynn Smith, Sophie de Goede, Rachel Smith, Corinne Frechette, Paige Farries

  • Olympic silver medalist and Sevens star Chloe Daniels makes her debut at fullback, joined by fellow debutant  Aurora Bowie.
  • Kiki Idowu, Sierra Gillis, Brooke Rempel, and Corinne Frechette have all been named on the bench and could also make their international debuts. 
  • Justine Pelletier skippers the side, with Alexandra Tessier out with injury and Sophie de Goede on the bench

Australia (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Adiana Talakai, Bridie O’Gorman, Michaela Leonard, Tiariah Minns, Kaitlan Leaney, Emily Chancellor, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, Desiree Miller, Sidney Taylor, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Faitala Moleka

Replacements: Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Eva Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Lily Bone, Piper Duck, Waiaria Ellis, Cecilia Smith

  • Tiarah Minns comes into the starting side, with Kaitlan Leaney moved to blindside flanker
  • Desiree Miller and Georgina Friedrichs have been elevated back into the starting side.
  • Waiaria Ellis is the new face on the bench as part of a 6-2 split.
Stats
  • Canada have never lost to Australia in their eight matches.
  • Australia has never scored 15 or more points against Canada, while conceding 30+ in six of their last seven fixtures against the Canadians.
  • Canada have not been beaten in their last 20 games against opposition not named England.
Key Match Up

Emily Tuttosi v Adiana Talakai

The battle for Australia is up front, needing to dull Canada’s pack if they are to cause an upset.

Tuttosi leads the line for one of the best forward groups in World Rugby, with the Exeter star coming off being named in the Team of the Year.

Talakai has often been the Wallaroos' chief enforcer and will be out to show they are not intimidated by the world number two team.

Prediction Canada by 14

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