Canada Stuns New Zealand to Reach Rugby World Cup Final
What a night of rugby drama it turned out to be! The mighty Black Ferns of New Zealand, six-time world champions and the reigning holders of the Women’s Rugby World Cup crown, were knocked out in sensational fashion by Canada. In a result that will be remembered for years, Canada stormed to a 34–19 win in Bristol, ending New Zealand’s 11-year unbeaten run in the tournament and booking only their second-ever place in a World Cup final.
From the very start, the Canadians looked like a team on a mission. They had spoken all week about the confidence gained from their recent results against New Zealand—a narrow win and a thrilling draw—and they showed that belief right from the kickoff. Justine Pelletier was the spark early on, dancing under the posts after collecting a clever chip. Not long after, Asia Hogan-Rochester sliced past defenders with ease to extend the lead. By the time Florence Symonds and Sophie de Goede crossed for further tries, the Black Ferns were already on the ropes. Canada marched into halftime 24–7 ahead, and the stadium knew something extraordinary was unfolding.
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Three minutes into the second half, Alex Tessier cut inside with a cool step and glided over the line, putting Canada 31–7 up and effectively slamming the door shut on New Zealand’s comeback hopes. Yes, the Black Ferns showed flashes of their trademark resilience. Tries from Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Braxton Sorensen-McGee gave their fans some hope. But the gap was simply too big, and every time New Zealand tried to claw back momentum, Canada’s defence stood tall. De Goede calmly slotted a penalty in the closing stages to seal it, while the chants of “Canada, Canada” echoed through the stands.
For New Zealand, it was unfamiliar territory. This was their first knockout defeat at a World Cup since 1991, and only the third time they’ve failed to reach the final. Discipline proved costly, with penalties piling up and costly mistakes opening the door for Canada. The defending champions simply couldn’t recover from such a blistering Canadian start.
But for Canada, this was more than just a victory. It was a statement of belief, a payoff for years of preparation, even backed by a million-dollar fundraising campaign called “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup.” Their captain Sophie de Goede summed it up perfectly: belief and resilience had carried them through. Now, whether they face England or France in the final, they’ll take the field brimming with confidence that their first-ever world title could be just 80 minutes away.
Fans back home lit up social media, and inside Ashton Gate the celebrations were accompanied by Canadian anthems and even Shania Twain blasting over the speakers. A giant of the women’s game has fallen, and a new contender has truly arrived. Canada are into the final, and the dream is alive.
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