CALGARY – Two former University of Calgary Dinos are gearing up to once again play for Team Canada this weekend. DaLeaka Menin and Emily Tuttosi will represent their nation for the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, starting this Saturday, October 8th when they face Japan. 
    
Menin and Tuttosi have both been crucial in Team Canada's performances in the build up to this tournament, helping defeat Italy, Wales, and Fiji on the way to a third-place rank entering the World Cup.

"We are so tremendously proud of Emily and DaLeaka. They both became Dinos at the same time and have pretty much been attached at the hip ever since," said Dinos head coach Simon Chi. "After they completed their illustrious and heavily decorated careers as Dinos, they both went on to excel at the professional level playing in the top women's competition in the world with the Loughborough Lightning and then the Exeter Chiefs.  And now they get to represent their country while competing at a Rugby World Cup - it's so amazing to see that they get to share this experience together.

"When the world sees that Canada's lineout and driving maul is a weapon in the tournament, we will take great pride in knowing that the foundation for that platform is powered by Dinos."

During her time with the Dinos, Menin – an Alberta native – received top honours, including the CIS Rookie of the Year award in 2013, and CIS Player of the Year award in 2016 when she led the Dinos to an undefeated regular season. She made her first international appearance in 2015 before representing Canada at the 2017 World Cup in Ireland. She now plays professionally in England for the Exeter Chiefs, along with her Team Canada and former University of Calgary Dino teammate Emily Tuttosi.

Tuttosi enjoyed a dual-sport career with the Dinos, playing rugby from 2013 – 2018, and wrestling for the Scarlet & Gold from 2015 – 2018. During her time with the rugby team, she received four Canada West All-Star awards and captained the Canada U20's in 2016 before joining the senior team in 2018. In 2021, Tuttosi received the Player of the Year award in her first season with the Chiefs, before helping lead them to a second-place finish of the top flight of English rugby in her second season.  

The pair share a lot in common, both starting with the Dinos in 2013 under head coach Simon Chi and both playing on the front row. During their time with the Dinos, they helped the University of Calgary to back-to-back Canada West titles in 2016 and 2017. They have both enjoyed professional success with careers starting with the Loughborough Lightning, before joining the Exeter Chiefs and helping them ascend the ranks of English Rugby. 

Canada enters the World Cup hoping to challenge the home favorite Black Ferns and the world No. 1 England team, who enter the tournament winning a record 25-straight games. In their group, Canada will play 13th ranked Japan (Oct 8, 8:15 pm MT), 5th ranked Italy (Oct 15, 5:45 pm MT), and the 6th ranked United States (Oct 22, 8:15 pm MT). The continental rivals met earlier this year, with Canada defeating the U.S., 36-5. 

-UC-