IRL Women's Rugby League World Series

Sun 26th October 2025   - KO  13:00 - Terry Fox Track & Field Stadium , Canada
Official: Kemoy Whyte (Jamaica)

Canada

36

FT

6

Half Time
6 - 6

Ireland

Tries

Megan Pakulis (9)
Eleta Mitton (47)
Candace Scholten (52,75)
Lauren Mueller (60)
Grace Campbell (62)

Tricia Doyle (12)

Goals

Maddy Aberg (2/2)
Caitlin Sears (4/4)

Storm Cobain (1/2)

Match Preview: Canada, Ireland name squads for third-place play-offf

Canada will host Ireland in a play-off for third place at the IRL Women's Rugby League World Series 2025 but for Ravens coach Matt Baron their is more at stake.

While disappointed that Canada's hopes of a third World Cup were ended by their 48-0 loss to Fiji in the semi-final of the tournament, Baron believes the Ravens may have avoided meeting the Bulikula first up if they had not lost a warm-up match to Ireland in the lead up RLWC2021.

The match-ups at the inaugural World Series were based on standings in the IRL World Rankings and Ireland, as the highest ranked team, played the lowest ranked team, Nigeria, while second ranked Canada faced third ranked Fiji.

"That performance against Ireland a couple of years ago has probably put is in the position we are, on this side of the draw, so we really want to put in a performance," Baron said.

"We are due a hot game so we are very focused on that and we kind of want to make up for that loss. We have had to re-frame our goals, things are changing and now the focus is on a good performance in Canada in front of our fans."

Ireland coach Matt Kennerson said the teams had changed since their last meeting and he was looking to the future after last Tuesday's 10-0 loss to Nigeria.

"We saw just how good Canada were against Fiji so we know we have a tough ask in front of us, but we have gone back to the game plan and done some really good team healing and positive reinforcement of who we are as a team and a nation," Kennerson said.

"I think we have really come together in that sense with the time we have spent together in camp. Hopefully that will translate on to the field with agood result. We are just looking to finish strong and play our style. Win, lose or draw we just wnt to be proud of our performance."  

Canada squad

Maddy Aberg, Grace Campbell, Alanna Fittes, Danielle Franada, 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, Madison Hobson, Beth Hoffstetter, Petra Woods (Ontario Osprey), Rachel Choboter (Otahuhu Leopards), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens RL), Caitlin Sears (Sydneham Rugby League)

Ireland squad

Tricia Doyle (Aspley Devils), Jemma Gallagher (Corrimal Cougars), Molly Boyne, Aimee Clarke, Niamh Griffin, Emma Kelly, Lena Kibler, Cliodhna O’Sullivan, Anna Potterton (Dublin City Exiles), Stacy Hanley, Aifric Ní Ghibne (Galway Tribes), Storm Cobain, Mollie Young (Leigh Leopards), Iona McCusker, Polly Roberts, Jade Walker (London Broncos), Steph Carroll, Sarah Scambary (Mounties), Lily Rogan (Wests Tigers)

 

26 October 2025
1 Woods
Full Back
Rogan 1
5 Mueller
Right Wing
Kibler 2
3 Campbell
Right Centre
Carroll 3
4 Aberg
Left Centre
Potterton 4
2 Scholten
Left Wing
Young 5
18 Scramstad
Stand Off
Kelly 6
7 Franada
Scrum Half
Walker 7
24 Maguire
Prop
Scambary 8
9 Sears
Hooker
Roberts 9
10 Crowl
Prop
Gallagher 20
11 Hindley
Second Row
Ni Ghibne 11
12 Hoffstetter
Second Row
Doyle 12
13 Pakulis
Loose Forward
Cobain 13
14 Fittes
Int 1
McCusker 14
19 Choboter
Int 2
Boyne 16
16 Okonkwo
Int 3
Hanley 15
20 Mitton
Int 4
Griffin 17
21 Hobson
Reserve 1
Clarke 18

Candace Scholten scored two tries as the Canada Ravens reeled off 30 second-half points to defeat Ireland 36-6 Sunday and finish third at the IRL Women's Rugby League World Series.

“I’m super proud of the group to bounce back from Tuesday’s disappointing loss and a lot of effort went into that game” said Canada Matty Barron. “Full credit to Ireland, they also had a game to turnaround as well after their loss on Tuesday and they came out to play. We had to work hard to break them down and I’m really pleased with the effort we put in. We’ll take a bit of a break now, but the Ravens will be much more active over the next 12 months as we seek to improve our ranking.”

Megan Pakulis, Eleta Mitton, Lauren Mueller and Grace Campbell also scored tries for Canada. Caitlin Sears and Maddy Aberg combined for six conversions.

Tricia Doyle had Ireland's lone try with Storm Cobain booting a conversion.

Tied 6-6 after an error-filled first half, Canada went ahead 12-6 early in the second, taking advantage of a turnover deep in the Ireland end after two Irish players collided trying to field a kick. Mitton scored on the ensuing Canadian set.

Scholten then broke three Irish tackles on a fine solo run up the middle for an 18-6 Canada lead before Mueller sprinted 40 metres down the sideline after an Irish turnover midway to make it 24-6 through the half.

Canada kept coming with tries from Campbell and Scholten.

Both teams threatened early in the game, only to see drives end in handling errors. But Canada went ahead 6-0 in the ninth minute with Pakulis breaking a tackle to score, capping off a set that featured a sparkling linebreak by fullback Petra Woods.

Ireland had several sets deep in Canada territory after Ravens miscues but the Canadian defence held on the first and Ireland fumbled the ball away on the second.

Ireland missed a penalty kick midway through the first half after Canada was penalized for a tip tackle. A string of Canada mistakes and penalties halted the home team's progress with the Irish finally taking advantage late in the half, pulling even at 6-6 after Doyle touched down a grubber kick.

“I think the World Series has given us a good gauge as to where we are globally” added Matt Kennerson. “We’re not ready for a World Cup, but its been good to be measured and we’ll go away and become better, improve on our skills and that includes myself. But its been an amazing experience, we’ve had a lot of laughs as well as some tears, we’ve made some new friends and we’ve had a fantastic 10 days in Canada.”

Picture credit: Colin Watson

26 October 2025