Canada aiming to make rugby history

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This article was published 27/10/2022 (747 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Emily Tuttosi is making a name for herself on the world stage in a big way.

The 27-year-old from Souris, Man., is playing for the Canadian senior national team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and leads the event in points scored (30) and tries (six) at the end of the three-game round robin.

Tuttosi and Team Canada, the No. 3-ranked country in the world, went a perfect 3-0-0 in that stretch by beating Japan, Italy, and the Americans.

Tuttosi, who plays hooker, is the lone Manitoban on the squad.

“I’d be lying if I said that was anywhere near the top of my thoughts heading into this,” said Tuttosi, in a phone interview with the Free Press, on being the World Cup’s top scorer.

“My goal as an athlete rolling into my first World Cup was first off, making the World Cup squad, and secondly, just pushing myself and my teammates to be the best players that we can be. My goals were definitely performance based, not points based. And I think it’s our pack that’s translated into the points, but for me personally, it’s surprising that I’m at the top of the list. But I’m just really thankful to be with a pack that’s pushing each other to be at a high standard to put some points on the board and win some games that we needed to.”

Tuttosi and the Canadians will look to keep things going in the quarterfinal against the No.7 ranked Americans (1-2-0). Canada beat the United States 29-14 in round robin action. Canada has won six straight matches against the U.S. dating back to 2019.

The game will be played at 10:30 p.m. CT Saturday and will air on TSN 3.

“I’m expecting another really physical match,” said Tuttosi.

“I’m hoping we continue to build on each performance we’ve had and leave nothing out there and bring the physical brand of Canadian rugby.”

The other quarterfinals feature No. 4 France squaring off against No. 5 Italy, No. 2 New Zealand battling No. 9 Wales, and top-ranked England versus No. 6 Australia.

The winner of Canada-U.S. will likely meet England in the semifinals. England defeated Canada 51-12 last November.

“England can be a beatable team, teams just have to put together a full 80-minute performance to do so,” said Tuttosi.

Canada finished in fifth place at the last World Cup in 2017. The country’s best finish came in 2014 when Canada lost 21-9 to England in the final.

Tuttosi is hoping she can help Canada make history and win the 12-team event for the very first time.

“It would be huge not only for this team, but for this nation. I remember when they made it to the final in 2014 that I felt inspired as a young rugby player. I know that it has the power to do that again,” said Tuttosi.

“It would mean a lot to everyone that’s worn the jersey and helped build the program into what it is today.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31