Canada may have missed out on this year’s World Cup, but captain Megan Pakulis believes the Ravens’ successful UK tour has shown just how much potential exists back home.

WHEN you think about international women’s rugby league, England, Australia and New Zealand are among the nations that spring to mind.

But a new generation of talent, led by captain Megan Pakulis, is determined to put Canada on the map.

The Ravens, who missed out on qualification for this year’s World Cup after a 48-0 loss to Fiji in the World Series semi-finals, travelled to UK  in July to face Wales and Scotland during a ten-day tour.

They won both matches – 14-0 over Wales and 34-4 against Scotland – leaving plenty of food for thought.

“Those games have been a huge success for us,” said Pakulis, who was among the scorers against Wales.

“I think we were a little bit unsure of where we actually stood against other nations that have a full rugby league season, as ours is just a few tournaments here and there.

“We weren’t fully sure how we’d compare, but to come away with wins in both games, excited us because it showed the potential that we have as a developing rugby league nation.

“Games like this and tours like this where we’ve selected a strong squad and gone up against two strong nations, are only going to help grow the sport even more.

“It shows just what we can be capable of, and hopefully it draws some more interest into it.”

World Cup-bound Wales proved stern opposition for the Ravens, something Pakulis believes will only serve to benefit her nation.

“It’s nice to have those games because a lot of our girls back home don’t play rugby league,” she explained.

“When we get into a game like that when it is back and forth and set for set, it really shows the true aspects of what rugby league is, and all of us were forced to just step into the game and perform.

“I think that allowed the girls to start thinking about the game a lot more, whereas the games against the USA – who we’ve played a few times – they’re still building, and we can sometimes just put points on the board quite easily.

“In previous games where we’ve had those blowouts, it’s easy just to get complacent.

“I think the Wales match allowed a lot of our girls, especially the ones who are newer to the sport, to really see a lot of the differences between league and union, which a lot of them play back home.

“It’s allowed us to work on how we execute more as a rugby league team instead of girls who play union and have just come together to play league.

“It’s definitely a bit of a mind-switch for us, but it’s good to get into the grind of that.”

Canada, who made their World Cup debut in 2017, played three matches in the postponed 2020 edition.

And despite having failed to progress from their group five years ago – finishing third behind England and Papua New Guinea – Pakulis was included in the Team of the Tournament, something that has only served to reinforce that she is on the right path.

“It came as a bit of a surprise to all of us,” she said with a smile.

“I think that was what spurred me on. People from all different countries are watching the World Cup, and to represent Canada on that stage allowed them to see the potential that some of our Canadian athletes have.

“It definitely opened up a few doors for me. I’m not sure I’d have been as lucky to transition into Super League and Australia down the line, so I’m really grateful for that tournament.”

Back home in Canada, rugby league remains some distance behind the 15-a-side code in popularity, with a pay-to-play structure, limited funding, and a lack of competition all contributing.

“I think we need more rugby league exposure in Canada,” stressed the free-scoring forward.

“The majority of the girls, if not all of them, play union, which has a full season and which they grew up playing.

“We don’t have enough interest right now in league to develop our own full season; it just tends to be a few training sessions and then one big tournament where all the provinces play against each other.

“Where I’m from in Ontario, we’ve started to develop a little bit more of a season, but we only have three teams, so it’s only a two-game season with maybe some finals if we have the time for it.

“We’re fortunate that some girls want to be a part of the squad, but right now, I think the interest that we have is limited, and a lot of that is due to the fact that it’s a big pay-to-play. I think adding some more funding into it would allow the sport to grow a lot more.

“For this tour, the girls had to get time off work, and get on flights, which isn’t cheap. A lot more girls want to be involved, but they just can’t afford to take the time off work.

“We’re still trying to build that up, and it’s a conversation that’s come out of the tour: how can we build more money so that girls aren’t limited by finances?

“Each tour, we have a few girls who would like to play and who would be assets for the team, but financially, it’s just too much of an ask.

“It’s quite disappointing because it takes away from the sport itself. You could have all these incredible athletes in rugby league, but they just can’t be there.

“It creates that barrier in sport that just doesn’t represent how talented we can be as a country.”

Pakulis is one of two Canadians playing in Super League with York Valkyrie, alongside back Petra Woods, having returned to the team with whom she won the 2024 Women’s Super League title after a stint with Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW.

And she hopes the pair can serve as inspiration for others back home to take up the sport.

“I think being in the programme for as long as I have, I always see the talent and potential that’s there, so part of it was to get our girls to see just what is available for them.

“Also, I wanted to try and put Canada a little bit more on the stage. I think having some Canadian people playing in Super League and Australia would start to give Canada some more recognition.

“It’s important for the girls to see what can happen, and that Canada does have athletes that can play.

“It’s showing them that they can play in Super League, they can do all these things that Petra and I have been able to do. It’s just about getting that opportunity and recognising that they exist.

“When we’re back home, Petra and I and a lot of the girls are trying to get more of our rugby union team-mates interested in it.

“Part of the reason I wanted to go overseas and start playing here in England and in Australia is to try and show what rugby league can give to athletes.

“People are starting to have conversations about it; a lot of the girls are starting to reach out and ask questions just because they see what it looks like.

“Having us here now, I hope that continues as well.”

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 524 (September 2026)