One win away from Rugby World Cup final, Canadian women take on New Zealand

By Canadian Press on September 17, 2025.

Canada coach Kevin Rouet has named an unchanged side for Friday’s semifinal showdown with defending champion New Zealand at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The second-ranked Canadians and third-ranked Black Ferns meet at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol with No. 1 England and No. 4 France facing off at the same venue in the second semifinal Saturday.

Prior to a 22-19 win in Christchurch in May 2024 in Pacific Four Series play, the Canadian women had lost all 17 previous meetings with the Black Ferns, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more.

The milestone win in securing the Pacific Four Series title moved the Canadian women to No. 2 in the world rankings behind England, replacing New Zealand and equalling their highest-ever position (last reached in November 2016). Canada had started the tournament at No. 4, but moved past France into No. 3 after beating Australia 33-14.

Canada and New Zealand drew 27-27 when they met in Pacific Four Series play in May this year, with the Black Ferns drawing even on an 83rd-minute try by Sylvia Brunt after Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s 76th-minute try had given the Canadians a 27-22 lead.

New Zealand went on to win the Pacific Four Series title on points difference over Canada.

“We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that,” Rouet said in a statement. “We have every reason to believe that we can win this game. On Friday, we take another step toward the ultimate goal we have been building toward over our first four games and the last three years. It will be a short week of preparation, but the team will be ready.”

Canada leads the World Cup in carries with 622 and ranks second in offloads with 66.

Veteran flanker Karen Paquin, who leads the team with 57 tackles at the tournament, will earn her 50th cap for Canada. The 38-year-old from Quebec City is playing in her fourth World Cup.

Prop DaLeaka Menin, who is third on the team in tackles with 41, will earn her 68th cap to move into second place on Canada’s all-time cap list for women behind lock Tyson Beukeboom (82 ahead of Friday).

Canada downed No. 7 Australia (46-5) in the quarterfinals after topping Pool B by defeating No. 13 Fiji (65-7), No. 12 Wales (42-0) and No. 6 Scotland (40-19).

New Zealand reached the semifinals after beating No. 10 South Africa (46-7) in the quarterfinals and topping Pool C with wins over No. 14 Spain (54-8), No. 11 Japan (62-19) and No. 5 Ireland (40-0).

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Canada Roster

McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Courtney O’Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC; Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England).

Replacements

Gillian Boag, Calgary, Capilano RFC; Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., Saracens (England); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press