PARIS, FRANCE – Two McGill graduates -- Julianne Zussman of Ottawa and Maria Jaworski-Samson -- were among 24 Canadian university products on the Team Canada roster when the national women's team settled for a best-ever silver medal performance at the International Rugby Board world cup championship, Sunday. Emily Scarratt scored 16 points, including a crucial late try, as England defeated Canada 21-9 in the tournament final at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris.
 
Zussman, a 27-year-old native of Ottawa, graduated in 2008 with an arts degree, majoring in international development studies. Also a product of the Town of Mt. Royal rugby football club in Montreal, Zussman has been part of the national program since 2007 and is employed with the Canadian Sport Institute in Victoria, B.C., as a business operations program assistant.
 
Jaworski-Samson, a 31-year native of Brownsburg, Que., played rugby for two years at McGill, captaining the Martlets in 2007 and winning the team's most valuable player award. She graduated with great distinction with a bachelor of engineering in mining and a minor in management. She received her first national senior women's cap at the Nations Cup in 2011 against South Africa. In 2012, she was named as the Rugby Canada player of the year award and followed that by winning the Colette McAuley Award in 2013.
 
It was Canada's first appearance in the World Cup final, while England won its second title after finishing runner-up to New Zealand in the last three tournaments.
 
The 26-member Canadian roster featured 24 players produced from Canadian universities, including Magali Harvey, a 24-year-old native of Quebec City who played at St. Francis Xavier University and accounted for all of Canada's scoring with three penalty kicks and finished the tournament with 61 points, second only to Scarratt's 70. In the post-game ceremonies, Harvey was named IRB player of the year.

Others from CIS institutions included Elissa Alarie (UQTR), Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Laval), Kim Donaldson (UBC), Latoya Blackwood (Western / Concordia), Jacey Murphy (Guelph), Kelly Russell (Western), Laura Russell (Western), Jessica Dovanne (Victoria), Andrea Burk (Acadia), Olivia DeMerchant (St.FX), Jane Kirby (Guelph), Tyson Beukeboom (St.FX), Kayla Mack (Saskatchewan), Julia Sugawara (Simon Fraser), Mandy Marchak (Manitoba), Karen Paquin (Laval) Brittany Waters (Victoria), Stephanie Bernier, (Laval), Brittany Benn, (Guelph), Cindy Nelles (McMaster) and Amanda Thornborough, (St.FX).
 
Canada's Dress Roster vs. England, Aug. 17, 2014:
 (Name, University, Club Team, Hometown)

1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Laval , Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
2. Kim Donaldson, (UBC, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
3. Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
4. Latoya Blackwood, (Western / Concordia, Ste. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
5. Maria Jaworski-Samson, (McGill, Calgary Hornets) Brownsburg, QC
6. Jacey Murphy, (Guelph, Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
7. Karen Paquin, (Laval, Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
8. Kelly Russell, Captain (Western, Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Elissa Alarie, (UQTR , Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
10. Emily Belchos, (Barrie Central Collegiate, Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
11. Jessica Dovanne, (Victoria, Velox RFC) Victoria, BC 
12. Andrea Burk, (Acadia, Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
13. Mandy Marchak, (Manitoba, Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
14. Magali Harvey, (St.FX, Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
15. Julianne Zussman, (McGill, Town of Mount Royal RFC) Ottawa, QC
16. Laura Russell, (Western¸ Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
17. Olivia DeMerchant, (St.FX, Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
18. Jane Kirby, (Guelph, Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
19. Tyson Beukeboom, (St.FX, Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, ON
20. Kayla Mack, (Saskatchewan, Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
21. Julia Sugawara, (Simon Fraser, Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC
22. Brittany Waters, (Victoria, Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
 
Non-Dressing Players:
Stephanie Bernier, (Laval, Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec – Injured
Brittany Benn, (Guelph, Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
Cindy Nelles, (McMaster, Oakville Crusaders) Belleville, ON
Amanda Thornborough, (St.FX, Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
 
Canada's Women's Team Staff:
Head Coach: Francois Ratier
Forwards Coach: Gary Dukelow
Backs Coach: Colette McAuley
Strength & Conditioning: Steve Mackinnon
Physiotherapist: Adrienne Stinson
Manager: Meaghan Howat
Analyst: James Kent
Media Manager: Bryan Kelly

RUGBY CANADA RESULTS AT 2014 IRB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
AUG. 1: CANADA WON 31-5 VS. SPAIN (at Marcoussis, France)
AUG. 5: CANADA WON 42-7 VS. SAMOA (at Marcoussis, France)
AUG. 9: CANADA TIED 13-13 VS. ENGLAND (at Marcoussis, France)
AUG. 13: CANADA WON 18-16 VS. FRANCE (SEMIFINAL; at Paris, France
AUG. 17: CANADA LOST 9-21 VS. ENGLAND (FINAL; at Paris, France

SOURCE:
 
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
514-398-1956 (Fax)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgill athletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca