Canadian women score historic win at Rugby League World Cup

Natasha Smith scored three tries Sunday as Canada made history by defeating Papua New Guinea 22-8 for its first ever win at the Rugby League World Cup.

In their international debut Thursday, the Canada Ravens were thumped 50-4 by three-time champion New Zealand.

"I'm extremely proud of the team," said Canada coach Mike Castle. "They stuck to our game plan, and you could clearly see everything we've been working on at training since the New Zealand game being actioned.

"As the game went on, you could certainly see everyone's confidence build. PNG were very physical, but we kept our cool and played our game."

Canada wraps up group play Wednesday against defending champion Australia.

With just six teams in the women's field, Sunday's victory will likely be enough to get Canada into the semifinals unless underdog Papua New Guinea can stage a convincingly win over New Zealand on Wednesday.

The more likely scenario is Canada advances to play Australia again in the Nov. 26 semifinals.

While many of the Canada Ravens have impressive rugby union credentials, they are new to the 13-woman code. And Castle, a transplanted Brit who now makes his home on Australia's Gold Coast, has had little time with his new team.

But he liked the athleticism of his squad and predicted Canada might turn some heads.

Canada rugby union internationals on the Ravens squad include Andrea Burk, Gillian Hoag, Mandy Marchak, Stevi Schnoor and Smith

Battle of new programs 

Canada had targeted Papua New Guinea going into the tournament, knowing the team known as the Orchids was also a new program. PNG lost 36-8 to England in its opener.

Trailing 4-0 after 11 minutes Sunday at Southern Cross Group Stadium, Canada went ahead in the 25th minute on a converted try that saw Smith bull her way through defenders to cross the line. Smith added to the lead in the 31st minute in a virtual repeat of her first try for a 10-4 lead.

The Orchids pulled a try back to cut the lead to 10-8 in the 44th minute but Canada responded with a nice try in the 59th that saw Sabrian McDaid touch down a Schnoor grubber kick for a 16-8 lead.

Smith made it 20-8 in the 76th minute, finishing off an attack that stretched the width of the field. The conversion put the Ravens ahead 22-8.

Canada's Natalie Tam was stretchered off with a concussion after being knocked out making a tackle.

Short on time

The Canadian women had limited training sessions before leaving for Australia, with players spread across the country.

Their first competitive game was one to remember as the Ravens defeating the Corrimal Cougars, an Australian club side, 26-20 in Richmond, B.C., in October after just one practice session. The Cougars, who had been unbeaten in 2017, won the second game 20-18.

In Australia, the Ravens lost a pre-tournament warmup 38-12 to the Queensland Maori.

Primarily played in England, Australia and New Zealand, rugby league is the sport's lesser-known code although it has made inroads in Canada this year with the success of the Toronto Wolfpack.

League features 13 players instead of 15 with teams given six chances to advance the ball up the field. It can be a brutal game with gang-tackling on defence, but there is also room for creativity on attack.

The men's side of the World Cup is a 14-country competition that wraps up Dec. 2 in Brisbane with a championship doubleheader that includes the women's final.

The Canadian men were beaten in qualifying by the U.S.

Canada and the U.S. are hosting the 2025 World Cup, meaning the Canadian men and women will qualify automatically.