BRISTOL – Canada beat New Zealand 34-19 at Ashton Gate on Friday to book their place in the final of Rugby World Cup 2025.
Story of the match
Canada made a lightning-quick start to the match, needing only ten minutes to rack up a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from Justine Pelletier and winger Asia Hogan-Rochester. When Florence Symonds then dotted down shortly before the 25-minute mark, things looked ominous for six-time champions New Zealand.
The Black Ferns did hit back through tight-head prop Tanya Kalounivale, but versatile Canadian second-row Sophie de Goede then burst through midfield to score under the posts and give her side a 24-7 lead at half-time.
Canada started the second half as they did the first, with Alex Tessier crashing over from close range within three minutes of the break. Things settled down somewhat from there, but it looked like there was life in the semi-final yet when Liana Mikaele-Tu’u powered her way over before Braxton Sorensen-McGee got on the end of a cross-field kick to make it 31-19.
But with just shy of ten minutes remaining, Canada were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and De Goede stepped up to put the result to bed with a successful shot at goal that secured a 34-19 victory in front of the 24,392 in attendance in Bristol.
Mastercard player of the match
Livewire scrum-half Justine Pelletier scored the first points of the match after throwing a slick dummy to dive over the line untouched, but it was far from her only influence.
The number nine was all over the Bristol turf on both sides of the ball, putting in big hits and getting up time and again to keep her side humming with 91 metres made from 12 carries, helping her side book a second ever place in a Rugby World Cup final.
“That was crazy, a lot of tempo and a lot of rugby,” she said. “It’s fun to play rugby and we showed what can be inspiring rugby.
“A lot of grit, a lot of resilience, a lot of hard work. It’s not just hard work, it’s three years of hard work and hustle. Thanks to everyone for their support.”
Coach insight
Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has already started gathering his players to play in next week’s showcase.
“I’m excited already,” he said. “I said to the girls to stop crying because we have a job to do in eight days. That’s the mindset. We need to finish the job and be ready in eight days.
“I felt it already one and a half years ago that we could do something and I am happy we are one game away from achieving what we want. I am excited for next weekend. I want it to be next weekend now.”
New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting paid tribute to the way Canada went about their win, but also said how proud he is of his team for the way they fought.
“All I can say is our ladies didn’t leave anything out there, they gave their absolute best. Canada were accurate today and we weren’t, and that’s the difference.
“It comes down to the pressure. Our intent and our effort to do our best today (was there), I’m proud of that, they were just more accurate than us today.
“There’s massive love in this team and we’ve still got another week left. We’re going to do this World Cup proud. We’re going to get back together, connect in. We’ve got another week and we’re going to go and finish with mana.”
Stat of the day
9 – Braxton Sorensen-McGee has now scored nine tries this tournament – the third most in a Women’s Rugby World Cup. Only Jennifer Crawford 10 (1994 – USA) and Portia Woodman 13 (2017 – NZL) rank ahead of her.
Next steps
Canada will play in the final of Rugby World Cup 2025 at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday, 27 September – their second appearance in a final after losing to England in the showpiece at Rugby World Cup 2014. They will have to wait for the semi-final between France and England in Bristol on Saturday to find out who they will face. New Zealand, meanwhile, will feature in the third-place playoff against whichever team loses that second semi-final.