PLAYER PROFILE – DaLeaka Menin, the 30-year-old 5’8” prop for Rugby Canada, was born and raised in the province of Alberta in Vulcan. She also played competitive rugby union in Calgary, Alberta.
World Class Alberta Prop: DaLeaka Menin
Childhood and University of Calgary (2013-17)
DaLeaka Menin grew up with her parents and also one younger and one older sister in Vulcan, Alberta. Her love of the rugby union game began around the grade 7-grade 9 age range, as she had this to say, according to the Calgary Herald article:
Menin started playing rugby union with the Calgary Hornets. She was also part of Canada at the U20s level, as indicated by the Exeter Chiefs website.
Menin continued her rugby journey in Calgary with the University of Calgary (also known as the Calgary Dinos). She earned accolades such as the U-Sports Rookie of the Year award in the 2013–2014 season and the U-Sports players of the year award in 2016–2017.
Rugby Canada (2015 – Present)
Menin has played for the national team since 2015. She has made 69 appearances for them and scored 55 tries. She made her debut for the national team in 2015, when her side lost to New Zealand by a scoreline of 40-22.
She was in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. She started every game in the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where the team finished fourth. She was also part of the silver medal team with the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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A lot of well-known players and head coaches praise her. For example, this is what Alex Tessier said about her according to Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press:
“She’s an incredible player,” said Canadian captain Alex Tessier. “And often overlooked, I think. She’s not only a good scrummager, but she does so much more in the open field. She understands the game super-well.”
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This is also what Kévin Rouet said in the same Davidson article:
“For me, she’s the best tighthead (prop) in the world,” said Rouet. “There is no question.”
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Loughborough Lightning (2017 – 2021)
Menin talked about how she ended up playing for the Loughborough Lightning according to the Rugby Uncovered YouTube account, hosted by Tom Nash:
She was seen as an instrumental player on the team, as she consistently started for her team. This included scoring a big try on October 17, 2020, which allowed the Loughborough Lightning to get the 33-26 win over the Gloucester-Hartpury team.
Her success with the Loughborough Lightning played a major role in her making the transition to the Exeter Chiefs, which at the time had a lot of Canadians and Americans on the team.
Exeter Chiefs (2021 – Present)
Menin has been with the Exeter Chiefs since 2021. Her performance made her an instrumental part of the team.
This is what then interim head coach Steve Salvin said about her when the contract extension was made according to the Exeter Chiefs website:
Menin played a big role for the team, helping the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team make the finals in her first two years with the organization. The one above took place on May 14, 2023, where Menin scored a world-class try.
Some of her big tries included scoring her team’s first try, which played a role in a 23-13 win over the Wasps Women’s team on October 2, 2021. She consistently played the number three role for her team.
She scored three tries in the 2021-22 Premier 15s season, two tries in the 2022-23 Premier 15s season, five tries in the 2023-24 season. She really stepped it up in the 2025-26 PWR season, scoring already six tries for her team. The most notable one was helping her team draw against her former club, the Loughborough Lightning, on November 9, 2025. She was the only player in that game to score two tries.
What To Look For?
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Rugby Canada is currently ranked third in the world according to World Rugby. There will be two highly anticipated games coming later in the year. These games are seen below:
They will be playing at BMO Field against England on October 16 and then travel to the nation’s capital to face England again at TD Place Stadium on October 23. Both games will be shown live at 7:00 p.m. ET.
In addition, on Sunday, July 14, the Exeter Chiefs Women will play against the Saracens Women’s team at StoneX Stadium in Hendon, London. The game will be shown at 11:30 a.m. ET (4:30 p.m. BST).
Photo Credit: Matthew Impey / Wired Photos Sports Photography on November 9, 2025.
