IRL World Series 2025: Canada Ravens finalise squad

Canada coach Matt Baron wants his Ravens team to develop a style of play in the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series 2025 that is reflective of the history of the vast North American country.

Baron, who has named his final squad for the World Series, believes the tournament in Brampton, Ontario is an opportunity for the Ravens to create their own identity based on the values Canadians pride themselves on.

“Fiji have their religion, New Zealand has the Maori culture and most teams have something that bind them, but when you play for Canada and people watch us, what does Canadian rugby league look like?,” said Baron, who has recently taken charge of the Ravens.

“We are a country of immigrants so what combines Canadians is that we are hardworking people, so it is about hard work, self-sacrifice and doing the tough stuff, which I think lends itself well to rugby league.”

“The style that we are going to play is going to be our identity moving forward and it has been a process of building a philosophy, because we don’t play rugby league, so what is Canadian rugby league going to look like.”

Asked to describe the style he wanted the Ravens to adopt, Baron said: “Flat, fast and aggressive”.

“It is going to be pretty physical and it is going to reflect the people of Canada,” he added.

“Teams are certainly going to know that they have played us, and I think that’s why I am excited about this tournament.”

After being invited to play at the last two World Cups in 2017 and 2022, the Ravens have to earn their spot at RLWC26 by beating Fiji on October 21 at Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton to set up a play-off against the winner of the Ireland-Nigeria semi-final.

The winner of the World Series receives the eighth and final spot at next year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea, alongside the Jillaroos, Orchids, Kiwi Ferns, England, Fetu Samoa, France and Wales.

“In my opinion it is just about the strongest side we can pick and I am really excited to work with them,” Baron said. “We have done a lot of background work on Fiji, we have looked at key players and how they play.”

Canada’s strength is in the forwards, with their two most accomplished players being lock Megan Pakulis, who plays for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW, and St Helens prop Chantelle Crowl, who played in this season’s Super League grand final.

New Zealand-based pair Caitlin Sears, who will play hooker, and Rachel Choboter are also forwards.

“Rachel is a utility forward for us and does all the thankless tasks, she will come off her line and whack a few people and do the hard yards,” Baron said.

“She took the lead to go to New Zealand to play regularly, she has been down there for about 18 months and it was a rugby-based decision to be the best she can be.

“Every time she comes into camp she looks like a more rounded player. She is pretty versatile, and she is as hard as nails.

“Caitlin is a very good player, she has a great rugby IQ and is so fit that as a coach you are comfortable thinking, ‘I’m just going to run her for 80 minutes’.

“For her size she whacks, and I think that comes from playing in the New Zealand competition against players way above her in weight and height.”

Photo: Christchurch-based hooker Caitlin Sears will be a key player for the Ravens in IRL World Series 2025.

Baron is also keen to see his left edge of rugby sevens convert Grace Campbell and London Broncos player of the year Lauren Mueller play together against the Bulikula.

“Grace has gone from being a rugby union player to a student of the game,” he said. "She is always sending me videos of NRL or NRLW every day. That shows that she really wants to showcase her talent at this tournament and do her part, and she is going to turn some heads in the future.

“Our left edge is going to be pretty strong. Lauren has had a fantastic season, she looks in great shape and I think she will have a great tournament. She is a very good winger in returning the ball back, finding space and getting a nose through the line and on the back of that we are going to be able to play quick.

“All in all I am pretty pleased with the resources we have. Chantelle Crowl is going to bring that maturity and that level in the middle. I think from watching Pacific Championships games last season that she matches up well with any middle in the tournament.

“It suits us to be underdogs against Fiji and the players know that they need to rise to the level of Channy, Meg, Rachel and Caitlin. If we can do that we are going to turn some heads.”

Canada Ravens

Maddy Aberg, Grace Campbell, Alanna Fittes, Danielle Franada, Rebecca Kochuk, Sarah Maguire (Alberta Broncos), Gabrielle Hindley, Ada Okonkwo, Alayna Scramstad (BC Storm) Megan Pakulis (Gold Coast Titans) Lauren Mueller (London Broncos), Eleta Mitton, Natasha Naismith, Candace Scholten, Beth Hoffstetter, Maddie Hobson, Petra Woods (Ontario Osprey), Rachel Choboter (Otahuhu Leopards), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens), Caitlin Sears (Sydneham, NZ).

Broadcast

• Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Further details to follow.

Tickets