Canadian rugby centre Shoshanah Seumanutafa plots her next move

Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s decisive try-scoring run down the left wing against England on Friday should have come as no surprise.

The 27-year-old centre from White Rock, B.C., has long been on the move.

Seumanutafa, whose father Pose is of Samoan descent, took a leap of faith while in New Zealand with Canada for WXV tournament play in the fall of 2023.

Needing a place to play, she reached out to Crystal Kaua, then coach of the Chiefs Manawa women’s team that plays in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Seumanutafa, known as Shosh or Shoshi to her friends, offered her services at no cost. And in January, 2024, paying her own way, she flew to New Zealand to train with the team.

Canadian women edge top-ranked England in rematch of last year’s World Cup final

The Canadian went on to play for Counties Manukau in the National Provincial Championship before earning a contract with the Hamilton-based Chiefs in New Zealand’s elite competition. The Chiefs men’s team was once home to former Canadian captain Tyler Ardron.

Seumanutafa spent two seasons with the Chiefs, playing the kind of free-flowing rugby that Canada displays under coach Kevin Rouet. It also allowed her to connect with her dad’s side of the family and learn more about her Pacific Island roots, performing the haka with the Chiefs.

The team used to do the ceremonial challenge before every game but now reserves it for special occasions.

“The haka has a very deep meaning and purpose for the Maori culture. To be part of that was very special,” she said.

Having an aunt in Hamilton gave Seumanutafa a home in New Zealand. And while she enjoyed her time there, Seumanutafa is looking to make another move – playing in Japan next.

Like many on the Canadian squad, Seumanutafa has also played sevens internationally with one try and three conversions in seven tournaments on the HSBC SVNS circuit.

She came in off the bench Friday in the 17th minute of Canada’s match against England at Toronto’s BMO Field, replacing Alex Tessier after the vice-captain was taken off for a head injury assessment.

Seumanutafa capped the Canadian comeback in the 78th minute when she took a pass from Gabby Senft, fended off an English defender and scored in the corner – but only after powering through some pain.

“As I turned the gas on, both my calves cramped up,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. You can’t cramp now.’”

The try – Seumanutafa’s second in 29 appearances in 15s international play – gave Canada a 24-21 win over the top-ranked Red Roses in WXV Global Series play, snapping England’s 41-match undefeated run.

The Canadian women had halted England’s win streak at 39 matches when they drew 26-26 last month in Exeter. Prior to that, Canada had lost 14 straight to England since a 52-17 win in July, 2016. That run included a 33-13 defeat in the World Cup final in September, 2025, before a women’s record crowd of 81,885 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

Seumanutafa’s phone blew up in the aftermath of her milestone score in Toronto.

“It’s taken quite a few days to sort through everything. It’s cool, but definitely overwhelming.” she said.

On the plus side, her parents and aunt were able to take in the match. And they were sitting just metres away from where Seumanutafa scored.

“That was special,” she said with a smile.

Canada and England face off again Friday in Ottawa in their final WXV outing.