By The Canadian Press

Schell scores six tries as Canada thumps Fiji at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Aug 23, 2025 | 11:52 AM

YORK — Julia Schell scored six tries Saturday as Canada hammered Fiji 65-7 for an emphatic opening win at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Schell scored all of her tries in a row after halftime for the world No. 2 Canadians.

The output tied for the second most tries in a World Cup match, with the six by Krista McFarren of the United States against Sweden in 1994. The record was eight by Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand against Hong Kong in 2017.

Schell’s half-dozen came in a match thoroughly dominated by Canada, which is unbeaten in eight tests this year, and on a mission to win its first World Cup.

Captain Sophie de Goede, who recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, had the opening try in the sixth minute and added four conversions for Canada, which led 24-0 at the half.

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Gillian Boag, Caroline Crossley, Alysha Corrigan and Karen Paquin also scored tries for Canada, while Alex Tessier chipped in with a conversion of Paquin’s late try.

De Goede and Boag staked Canada to a 12-0 lead 14 minutes in. Then, with flyhalf Taylor Perry in the sin-bin for head contact, Crossley touched down and set up Corrigan to give Canada its halftime lead.

Fiji started the second half with a crowd-pleasing try from its own 22. Midfielder Josifini Neihamu swept upfield, captain Alfreda Fisher supported, and replacement back Kolora Lomani touched down.

But the rest of the half was Canada’s, notably Schell’s.

Fiji replacement prop Bulou Vasutaraga became the second woman to receive a red card in the tournament when her yellow card for a dangerous high tackle in the 69th was upgraded to a 20-minute red.

Canada and Fiji are in Pool B at the tournament with Scotland and Wales. Canada next faces Wales on Aug. 30.

The Scots beat Wales 38-8 earlier Saturday.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2025.

The Canadian Press