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Group A preview: England, Brazil, Canada, Papua New Guinea
World Cup

Group A preview: England, Brazil, Canada, Papua New Guinea

Author
Colleen Edwards NRL Reporter
Timestamp

With the Women's Rugby League World Cup fast approaching, pan66.com takes a look at how Group A shapes up and who are the key women who need to stand up if their nation is to progress to the knockout stages...

The lowdown

England, Brazil, Canada, Papua New Guinea

Host nation England will have high hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time in front of their home fans with the game going from strength-to-strength in recent seasons.

Newcomers Brazil are a thrilling new addition to the competition, taking part in their first ever Rugby League World Cup tournament. The side will be soaking it all in and aiming to take everything they learn back with them to help continue to grow the game. 

Back for their second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup, Canada feature a number of players who were part of their debut in 2017 and will be better for the experience. 

Featuring the talents of players with NRLW experience, Papua New Guinea Orchids will be hoping to build on their recent performances on the international stage in their second World Cup appearance. 

The games

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for England is number 3 Francesca Goldthorp
    Fullback for Brazil is number 18 Natalia Momberg
  • Winger for England is number 2 Caitlin Beevers
    Winger for Brazil is number 2 Tati Fernandes
  • Centre for England is number 1 Tara-Jane Stanley
    Centre for Brazil is number 1 Adriana Felix
  • Centre for England is number 4 Amy Hardcastle
    Centre for Brazil is number 3 Leticia Medeiros
  • Winger for England is number 5 Leah Burke
    Winger for Brazil is number 22 Edna Santini
  • Five-Eighth for England is number 6 Georgia Roche
    Five-Eighth for Brazil is number 6 Giovanna Moura
  • Halfback for England is number 7 Courtney Winfield-Hill
    Halfback for Brazil is number 7 Maria Graf

Forwards

  • Prop for England is number 17 Shona Hoyle
    Prop for Brazil is number 8 Franciny Amaral
  • Hooker for England is number 9 Tara Jones
    Hooker for Brazil is number 9 Patricia Bodeman
  • Prop for England is number 18 Olivia Wood
    Prop for Brazil is number 15 Franciele Barros
  • 2nd Row for England is number 12 Emily Rudge
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 11 Patricia Oliveria
  • 2nd Row for England is number 14 Vicky Molyneux
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 12 Amanda Welter
  • Lock for England is number 13 Jodie Cunningham
    Lock for Brazil is number 13 Barbara Leal

Interchange

  • Interchange for England is number 8 Grace Field
    Interchange for Brazil is number 10 Paula Casemiro
  • Interchange for England is number 11 Hollie Dodd
    Interchange for Brazil is number 14 Giovanna Barth
  • Interchange for England is number 15 Vicky Whitfield
    Interchange for Brazil is number 16 Brena Prioste
  • Interchange for England is number 22 Zoe Harris
    Interchange for Brazil is number 17 Ana   Loschi de Quadros

Reserves

  • Replacement for England is number 21 Keara Bennett
    Replacement for Brazil is number 20 Pamella Silva

Last updated:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Martha Molowia
    Fullback for Canada is number 5 Karina Gauto
  • Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Anika Butler
    Winger for Canada is number 1 Dani Frananda
  • Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Belinda Gwasamun
    Centre for Canada is number 3 Petra Woods
  • Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Shellie Long
    Centre for Canada is number 4 Ferris Sandboe
  • Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 23 Lisa Marie Alu
    Winger for Canada is number 20 Lauren Mueller
  • Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Sera Koroi
    Five-Eighth for Canada is number 10 Laura Mariu
  • Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Lilah Malabag
    Halfback for Canada is number 7 Sabrina McDaid

Forwards

  • Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Elsie Albert
    Prop for Canada is number 8 Kristy Sargent
  • Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Therese Aiton
    Hooker for Canada is number 6 Alanna Fittes
  • Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Gloria Kaupa
    Prop for Canada is number 24 Elizabeth Steele
  • 2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Emily Veivers
    2nd Row for Canada is number 11 Gabrielle Hindley
  • 2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Essay Banu
    2nd Row for Canada is number 14 Maddy Aberg
  • Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Ua Ravu
    Lock for Canada is number 13 Megan Pakulis

Interchange

  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Jessikah Reeves
    Interchange for Canada is number 9 Natalie Tam
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Bertshiba Awoi
    Interchange for Canada is number 12 Sarah Maguire
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Michelle John
    Interchange for Canada is number 19 Jade Menin
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Talitha Kunjil
    Interchange for Canada is number 22 Ada Jane Okonkwo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Tara Moxon
    Replacement for Canada is number 17 Brittany Douglas

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for England is number 3 Francesca Goldthorp
    Fullback for Canada is number 5 Karina Gauto
  • Winger for England is number 5 Leah Burke
    Winger for Canada is number 2 Brittany Jones
  • Centre for England is number 1 Tara-Jane Stanley
    Centre for Canada is number 3 Petra Woods
  • Centre for England is number 23 Carrie Roberts
    Centre for Canada is number 14 Maddy Aberg
  • Winger for England is number 20 Georgia Wilson
    Winger for Canada is number 20 Lauren Mueller
  • Five-Eighth for England is number 6 Georgia Roche
    Five-Eighth for Canada is number 10 Laura Mariu
  • Halfback for England is number 7 Courtney Winfield-Hill
    Halfback for Canada is number 7 Sabrina McDaid

Forwards

  • Prop for England is number 17 Shona Hoyle
    Prop for Canada is number 8 Kristy Sargent
  • Hooker for England is number 21 Keara Bennett
    Hooker for Canada is number 9 Natalie Tam
  • Prop for England is number 19 Paige Travis
    Prop for Canada is number 22 Ada Jane Okonkwo
  • 2nd Row for England is number 11 Hollie Dodd
    2nd Row for Canada is number 11 Gabrielle Hindley
  • 2nd Row for England is number 12 Emily Rudge
    2nd Row for Canada is number 16 Rachel Choboter
  • Lock for England is number 14 Vicky Molyneux
    Lock for Canada is number 13 Megan Pakulis

Interchange

  • Interchange for England is number 10 Dannielle Anderson
    Interchange for Canada is number 17 Brittany Douglas
  • Interchange for England is number 15 Vicky Whitfield
    Interchange for Canada is number 18 Alix Evans
  • Interchange for England is number 16 Beth Stott
    Interchange for Canada is number 23 Zoey Siciliano
  • Interchange for England is number 24 Zoe Hornby
    Interchange for Canada is number 24 Elizabeth Steele

Reserves

  • Replacement for England is number 18 Olivia Wood
    Replacement for Canada is number 21 Natasha Naismith

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Martha Molowia
    Fullback for Brazil is number 1 Adriana Felix
  • Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Tara Moxon
    Winger for Brazil is number 18 Natalia Momberg
  • Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Belinda Gwasamun
    Centre for Brazil is number 3 Leticia Medeiros
  • Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Shae Yvonne De La Cruz
    Centre for Brazil is number 12 Amanda Welter
  • Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Anika Butler
    Winger for Brazil is number 22 Edna Santini
  • Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Sera Koroi
    Five-Eighth for Brazil is number 6 Giovanna Moura
  • Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Lilah Malabag
    Halfback for Brazil is number 19 Byanca Santa Rita

Forwards

  • Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Elsie Albert
    Prop for Brazil is number 8 Franciny Amaral
  • Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 22 Shirley Joe
    Hooker for Brazil is number 9 Patricia Bodeman
  • Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Bertshiba Awoi
    Prop for Brazil is number 10 Paula Casemiro
  • 2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Essay Banu
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 11 Patricia Oliveria
  • 2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 21 Carol Humeu
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 17 Ana  Loschi de Quadros
  • Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Jessikah Reeves
    Lock for Brazil is number 16 Brena Prioste

Interchange

  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Therese Aiton
    Interchange for Brazil is number 14 Giovanna Barth
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Gloria Kaupa
    Interchange for Brazil is number 15 Franciele Barros
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Ua Ravu
    Interchange for Brazil is number 20 Pamella Silva
  • Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Veronica Waula
    Interchange for Brazil is number 21 Ellen Trindade

Reserves

  • Replacement for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Talitha Kunjil
    Replacement for Brazil is number 4 Danielle Soares

Last updated:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Canada is number 3 Petra Woods
    Fullback for Brazil is number 18 Natalia Momberg
  • Winger for Canada is number 4 Ferris Sandboe
    Winger for Brazil is number 4 Danielle Soares
  • Centre for Canada is number 1 Dani Frananda
    Centre for Brazil is number 3 Leticia Medeiros
  • Centre for Canada is number 15 Nina Bui
    Centre for Brazil is number 12 Amanda Welter
  • Winger for Canada is number 20 Lauren Mueller
    Winger for Brazil is number 22 Edna Santini
  • Five-Eighth for Canada is number 10 Laura Mariu
    Five-Eighth for Brazil is number 6 Giovanna Moura
  • Halfback for Canada is number 7 Sabrina McDaid
    Halfback for Brazil is number 7 Maria Graf

Forwards

  • Prop for Canada is number 22 Ada Jane Okonkwo
    Prop for Brazil is number 8 Franciny Amaral
  • Hooker for Canada is number 6 Alanna Fittes
    Hooker for Brazil is number 9 Patricia Bodeman
  • Prop for Canada is number 24 Elizabeth Steele
    Prop for Brazil is number 10 Paula Casemiro
  • 2nd Row for Canada is number 11 Gabrielle Hindley
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 11 Patricia Oliveria
  • 2nd Row for Canada is number 14 Maddy Aberg
    2nd Row for Brazil is number 17 Ana Loschi de Quadros 
  • Lock for Canada is number 13 Megan Pakulis
    Lock for Brazil is number 16 Brena Prioste

Interchange

  • Interchange for Canada is number 8 Kristy Sargent
    Interchange for Brazil is number 2 Tati Fernandes
  • Interchange for Canada is number 12 Sarah Maguire
    Interchange for Brazil is number 13 Barbara Leal
  • Interchange for Canada is number 19 Jade Menin
    Interchange for Brazil is number 15 Franciele Barros
  • Interchange for Canada is number 21 Natasha Naismith
    Interchange for Brazil is number 23 Natalia Jonck

Reserves

  • Replacement for Canada is number 16 Rachel Choboter
    Replacement for Brazil is number 20 Pamella Silva

Last updated:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for England is number 3 Francesca Goldthorp
    Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Martha Molowia
  • Winger for England is number 2 Caitlin Beevers
    Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Anika Butler
  • Centre for England is number 1 Tara-Jane Stanley
    Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Belinda Gwasamun
  • Centre for England is number 4 Amy Hardcastle
    Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Shellie Long
  • Winger for England is number 5 Leah Burke
    Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 23 Lisa Marie Alu
  • Five-Eighth for England is number 6 Georgia Roche
    Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Sera Koroi
  • Halfback for England is number 7 Courtney Winfield-Hill
    Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Lilah Malabag

Forwards

  • Prop for England is number 17 Shona Hoyle
    Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Elsie Albert
  • Hooker for England is number 9 Tara Jones
    Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 22 Shirley Joe
  • Prop for England is number 18 Olivia Wood
    Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Gloria Kaupa
  • 2nd Row for England is number 11 Hollie Dodd
    2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Emily Veivers
  • 2nd Row for England is number 12 Emily Rudge
    2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Essay Banu
  • Lock for England is number 13 Jodie Cunningham
    Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Jessikah Reeves

Interchange

  • Interchange for England is number 8 Grace Field
    Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Shae Yvonne De La Cruz  
  • Interchange for England is number 15 Vicky Whitfield
    Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Ua Ravu
  • Interchange for England is number 19 Paige Travis
    Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Michelle John
  • Interchange for England is number 21 Keara Bennett
    Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 21 Carol Humeu

Reserves

  • Replacement for England is number 22 Zoe Harris
    Replacement for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Talitha Kunjil

Last updated:

The teams

England

Squad: Dannielle Anderson (Leeds Rhinos), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Leah Burke (St Helens), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Hollie Dodd (York City Knights), Grace Field (York City Knights), Fran Goldthorp (Leeds Rhinos), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Tara Jones (St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Carrie Roberts (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Rudge (captain) (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (York City Knights), Beth Stott (St Helens), Paige Travis (St Helens), Courtney Winfield-Hill (Leeds Rhinos), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Olivia Wood (York City Knights)

Key player: There is no shortage of talent in this England squad, and the expanded Super League competition has meant new players keep being unearth to challenge the established stars. The experience of captain Emily Rudge will be vital, as will that of St Helens guns Amy Hardcastle and Jodie Cunningham.

Strengths: The host nation is a team filled with experience, with only one previously uncapped player in the squad. England have named four past winners of the Woman of Steel award with Courtney Winfield-Hill, Tara Jane‑Stanley, Georgia Roche and Cunningham selected. The side will also have the benefit of home-ground advantage and strong crowd support to cheer them on when they are challenged on the field.

Weaknesses: Having named a strong squad, there are not many weakness to pinpoint for England in the pool stages and they will have home support behind them as well. However, they cannot afford to take any opponent lightly in this pool with Canada and Brazil still unknown quantities and PNG improving with every outing and looking to add to to their wins tally after beating England in 2019.

History at World Cup: This is England's fourth appearance in the Rugby League World Cup. They finished third in both 2008 and 2013 and were semi finalists in 2017.

Jodie Cunningham in action for England at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Jodie Cunningham in action for England at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. ©NRL Images

Brazil

Squad: Adriana Felix, Amanda Welter, Ana Loschi de Quadros, Bárbara Leal, Brena Prioste, Bryanca Santa Rita, Daniele Soares, Edna Santini, Ellen Trindade, Franciele Barros, Franciny Amaral, Giovanna Barth, Giovanna Moura, Leticia Medeiros, Maria Graf, Natalia Jonck, Natalia Momberg, Pâmella Silva, Patricia Bodeman, Patricia Oliveria, Paula Casemiro, Suzana Rodrigues, Tati Fernandes

Key player: As one of the few who had played rugby league prior to the Amazonas going through the qualifying process for this tournament, the experience of Ana Loschi de Quadros will be vital for her team-mates. While she is the youngest in the squad, Giovanna Barth is the first progress from Brazil’s youth development system and will be one to watch. 

Strengths: The Amazonas squad contains athletes who have have previously competed in many different sports including jiu-jitsu, capoeira, football, futsal, basketball, handball, rugby sevens, rugby XV, handball, dancing and sprinting and come into the tournament as an unknown entity. The side will be fit and will bring their own style of play to shake things up in the tournament.

Weaknesses: The lack of experience with rugby league and an inevitable lack of game knowledge will be something to overcome, but there is nothing like being tested against the best in the world to fast-track learning. With plenty of athletes in the side, it won't take long for Brazil to learn what it takes get into the grind in a rugby league game.

History at World Cup: This is the first tournament for Brazil. 

Canada

Squad: Maddy Aberg (British Columbia), Nina Bui (Ontario); Rachel Chaboter (British Columbia), Brittany Douglas (Ontario), Dani Frananda (Alberta), Alix Evans (Alberta), Alanna Fittes (Alberta), Karina Gauto (Alberta), Gabrielle Hindley (British Columbia), Britanny Jones (Alberta), Sarah Maguire (Alberta), Laura Mariu (Richmond, New Zealand), Sab McDaid (Ontario), Jade Menin (Alberta), Lauren Mueller (London, England), Natasha Naismith (Ontario) Ada Jane Okonkwo (British Columbia), Megan Pakulis (Ontario), Ferris Sandboe (Alberta), Kristy Sargent (Alberta), Zoey Siciliano (Ontario), Liz Steele (Alberta), Natalie Tam (Ontario), Petra Woods (Ontario)

Key player: Meg Pakulis is returning for her second tournament, having made history in 2017 while playing in the second row, crossing for her nation’s first World Cup try. The experience of Pakulis, who was recently awarded the Ontario Rugby senior player of the year, will be something her team-mates can draw from, and they will need her to produce her trademark strong running game to get them on the front foot. 

Strengths: Now in their second showing in a World Cup, the side know what to expect when playing on the biggest of stages. As well as Pakulis, there are five other players returning from their 2017 campaign in Nina Bui, Sab McDaid, Jade Menin, Liz Steele and Natalie Tam, while the experience of Laura Mariu, formerly with the Kiwi Ferns, will put the side in good stead. They have also had a solid preparation with a lead-up match against Ireland. 

Weaknesses: While experience amongst a growing cohort of Ravens in a strength, they are still a relatively inexperienced side overall and will face a tough challenge against England especially. Many of the side are drawn from rugby union, but the increased depth in their squad will have them pushing to add to their wins tally after beating fellow 2017 newcomers PNG in their pool match. 

History at World Cup: This will be the second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup for the Ravens who finished as semi-finalists in 2017.

Canada line up during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Canada line up during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. ©NRL Images

Papua New Guinea

Squad: Therese Aiton (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Elsie Albert (St George Illawarra Dragons), Lisa-Marie Alu (PNG Highlands Confederate), Bethshiba Awoi (PNG Southern Confederate), Essay Banu (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Anika Butler (Newcastle Knights), Shae-Yvonne De La Cruz (Souths Logan Magpies), Belinda Gwasamun (PNG Highlands Confederate), Carol Humeu (PNG Southern Confederate), Shirley Joe (PNG Highlands Confederate), Michelle John (PNG Southern Confederate), Elizabeth Kapa (PNG Southern Confederate), Roswita Kapo (PNG Southern Confederate), Gloria Kaupa (PNG Highlands Confederate), Sera Koroi (Souths Logan Magpies), Talita Kunjil (PNG Highlands Confederate), Shellie Long (Brisbane Tigers), Lila Malabag (PNG Southern Confederate), Martha Molowia (PNG Southern Confederate), Jessikah Reeves (Souths Magpies), Emily Veivers (Brisbane Tigers), Veronica Waula (PNG Southern Confederate)

Key player: There is no doubting the main inspiration for the Orchids team is blockbusting St George Illawarra forward Elsie Albert. A trailblazer in that she is the first female player to go through the pathways direct from PNG to the NRLW, she will also have the experience of whole-hearted rake Therese Aiton, who previously played with Parramatta, to help her inspire the young team.

Strengths: The Orchids have had a good lead-up to the tournament, with the players tested in the recent Prime Minister's XIII game Australia. The loss gave them areas to improve on, culminating in a good win against York in their warm-up match. With renewed investment and focus on developing the women's game in PNG, coupled with representation from across PNG's domestic competitions and Australia-based players, there is good experience and depth in all positions.

Weaknesses: The Orchids will have high expectations on them to improve on their debut Rugby League World Cup showing and make it past the pool stages. The team will need to keep committed to their own goals and not let outside pressures cloud their focus. The side have the talent to progress, but will need to have properly applied what they learnt from their heavy 64-6 loss against Australia's PM XIII side. 

History at World Cup: The Orchids will be making their second consecutive appearance in the Rugby League World Cup with their 2017 seeing them finish third in their pool. 

Stats sourced from David Middleton - League Information Services

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.