Canada’s women’s rugby team opened the 2025 Rugby World Cup in emphatic fashion, powering past Fiji 65-7 on Aug. 23 at York Community Stadium in England.

The win, built on 11 tries, was fuelled by a strong contingent of Greater Victoria talent.

Oak Bay High graduates Sophie de Goede and Caroline Crossley, along with former Castaway Wanderer Julia Schell, all made their presence felt in the dominant performance.

De Goede, 26, steered Canada’s attack with four conversions and a try in her 35th international appearance, a fitting return after a 13-month recovery from a serious knee injury.

The Castaway Wanderer showed no hesitation in Canada’s opener.

27-year-old flanker Caroline Crossley added to the scoresheet with Canada’s third try of the match, recording her first-ever Rugby World C

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