While reigning champions New Zealand may seem a certainty for the Rugby World Cup final, their semi-final opponents, Canada, possess a potent combination of belief, rapid ruck speed, and the formidable talent of Sophie de Goede.
Currently ranked world No. 2, Canada has largely been overlooked in a tournament where many have anticipated a final rematch between New Zealand and England. The Canadians, however, thrive on their underdog status. “It is something that isn’t new for us,” said winger Alysha Corrigan. “We are usually seen as that underdog and not always getting that recognition we think we deserve. I think that is something that fuels our fire.”
This self-belief is grounded in recent success against the Black Ferns. Canada secured their first-ever victory over New Zealand at the 2024 Pacific Four tournament, and the teams drew 27-27 in their most recent meeting. “The first time we beat them that pushed us, it gave us a huge boost of confidence,” explained Canada’s captain, Alex Tessier. “Drawing against them confirmed where we are at, that we have been growing.”
The champions are well aware of the threat. Kendra Cocksedge, the most-capped Black Fern in history, identified Canada as a significant challenge. “I believe they are our bogey team at the moment,” Cocksedge said. “As soon as you beat the black jersey your tail’s up and you give them confidence. They are playing with that; they are ones we seriously need to consider.”
A key to Canada’s attack is its blistering ruck speed, the fastest of any team in the pool stage. In their final pool match against Scotland, 79% of their rucks were completed in under three seconds. This pace, which continued in their quarter-final, overwhelms defences and has contributed to their impressive tally of 30 tries in four tournament games.
Spearheading their effort is Sophie de Goede, one of the tournament’s standout players. Her form is remarkable, as the semi-final will be only her eighth match since returning from an ACL injury. Coach Kévin Rouet described the former captain as the “cherry on the cake” for his squad. Her statistics underscore her all-around impact: two tries, 17 conversions, 47 successful tackles from 50 attempts, and four turnovers won.
Despite Canada’s strengths, New Zealand remains a powerhouse. The six-time World Cup winners boast the tournament’s current top points and try-scorer in Braxton Sorensen-McGee and the all-time leading World Cup try-scorer in Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Although Canada’s recent record is strong, it was preceded by 17 consecutive defeats to the Black Ferns, a testament to New Zealand’s historical dominance.
The semi-final promises a compelling clash between the sport’s giants and a rising force, setting the stage for one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches.
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