In a stunning upset during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Canada triumphed over reigning champions New Zealand, bringing the Black Ferns’ impressive 11-year unbeaten streak in the tournament to an end, and securing a spot in the finals.
This marks only Canada’s second appearance in a World Cup final, having previously faced defeat against England in 2014. They may once again face the Red Roses, as England is set to compete against France in the upcoming semi-final.
Regardless of the opponent, Canada enters the final with a strong belief in their capability to capture their first world title, showcasing an exceptional performance that left the Black Ferns reeling in Bristol.
New Zealand, a six-time champion, came into the match as slight favorites due to their past dominance in World Cup finals. However, Canada displayed superiority in all aspects of the game, both offensively and defensively.
Leading up to the match, the Canadian team found motivation from previous encounters with the Black Ferns, which included a narrow 22-19 victory and a 27-27 draw, both played in Christchurch.
Even the most optimistic supporters of Canada might not have predicted such a decisive win. By halftime, with tries from scrum-half Justine Pelletier, wing Asia Hogan-Rochester, centre Florence Symonds, and second-row Sophie de Goede, Canada had established a commanding 17-point lead.
Just three minutes into the second half, centre Alex Tessier, who plays for Exeter, added to the score, effortlessly weaving through defenders to push the lead to 31-7, effectively dousing New Zealand’s hopes of a comeback.
New Zealand had previously demonstrated remarkable resilience by overturning England’s lead at Eden Park three years ago to clinch their world title. However, in this match, they faced an insurmountable deficit. Despite Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Braxton Sorensen-McGee managing to cross the line, thanks to a cross-field kick from Ruahei Demant, they were unable to replicate their past heroics. The match concluded with 24,392 fans at Ashton Gate celebrating Canada’s historic victory.
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