Another week, another Canadian player takes home the Mitsubishi Electric Player of the Week award. This time around loose forward Julia Omokhuale has claimed the accolade after a dazzling performance in her side's 31-22 win over England.
From every possible angle, the 25-year-old was remarkable, putting on a behemothian, dominant physical display that made England players' lives difficult throughout the contest. However, Omokhuale delivered as an attacking option with the same excellence, claiming a try and winning the gain line 80% of the time she was asked to take the ball forward, leaving a trail of beaten tacklers.
Her try came at an opportune moment, with the winger bringing great physicality just five metres from the try line, overpowering the defence from short range and levelling the contest and boosting her team's morale. Beyond that moment, the back-rower delivered several other standout displays of defensive resolve and attacking flair, including a key tackle on Emma Sing as the English full-back prepared to slide past the Canadian defence.
The top-level performance earned her Player of the Match, and the flanker shared a few words about how key the fans in the stands were in helping Canada clinch a second win against England in the last couple of weeks.
“It’s just so exciting to play at home two weeks in a row and see the turnout with the people that came from all over to watch this game."
For her, the win belonged not only to her but to everyone on the sidelines, especially the future athletes who will go on to represent Canada and help their country reach even greater heights.
"To see the next generation of girls who get to see Canada win against England on their home soil in their backyard is exciting, and I can’t wait to see grassroots rugby getting not just girls, but boys interested in playing.”
