Sensational Canada shock New Zealand to make final

Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final

New Zealand (7) 19

Tries: Kalounivale, Mikaele-Tu’u, Sorensen-McGee Cons: Holmes, Sorensen-McGee

Canada (24) 34

Canada sensationally deposed Women’s Rugby World Cup holders New Zealand, inflicting the Black Ferns’ first defeat in the tournament in 11 years to advance to the final.

It will be only Canada’s second final appearance, after they lost to England in the 2014 showpiece. They could face the Red Roses again with England taking on France in Saturday’s second semi-final.

Whoever the opposition, Canada, who had a million-dollar fund-raising drive entitled Mission: Win Rugby World Cup to cover their preparation costs, will be confident of claiming their first world title after ruthlessly burying the Black Ferns in Bristol.

Six-time champions New Zealand came into the game as slight favourites given their pedigree at the business end of World Cups, but Canada were supreme on both sides of the ball and in every department.

Even their most ardent fans though would not have expected victory by such an emphatic margin.

After first-half tries from scrum-half Justine Pelletier, wing Asia Hogan-Rochester, centre Florence Symonds and second row Sophie de Goede, Canada headed down the tunnel 17 points clear.

Three minutes after the restart, centre Alex Tessier, who plays her club rugby in Exeter, stepped off her right foot and sauntered in to make it 31-7 and all but extinguish Kiwi hopes.

New Zealand won their world title by overhauling England’s double-digit lead at Eden Park three years ago.

After a frantic two-minute opening passage of play in which possession switched sides several times, Canada imposed themselves on the chaos and never really gave up control.

Taking advantage of Renee Holmes’ kick out on the full, Tessier collected a chip-ahead and from the resulting phase Pelletier darted, dummied and danced under the posts.

Shortly after, wing Hogan-Rochester breezed past full-back Holmes to extend the lead to 12 points in as many minutes.

A reeling New Zealand had occasional openings, but Alana Bremner spilled the ball to curtail one promising attack, while Canada’s ground game proved too strong on another.

The excellent De Goede got over the top of a breakdown to win a penalty in midfield, before Symonds was sent over by Tessier’s smart hands for a third unanswered try.

Prop Tanya Kalounivale barged over to belatedly get the Black Ferns on the board, but there was no reeling in Canada. De Goede cantered away for another try off Pelletier’s delicious one-handed offload and her team headed down the tunnel 24-7 to the good.

It was not just the scoreboard where New Zealand were down. They had also conceded five penalties to Canada’s none by the break.

Tessier’s score shortly after the restart was gleefully celebrated by Canada who sensed it was the one that put them out of reach.

They were right.

New Zealand huffed, puffed and improved in the second half, but were never able to inject jeopardy back into the contest.

De Goede ate up the minutes clipping over a gimme of a penalty to take Canada back out beyond two converted scores and could have created another try had she found wing Alysha Corrigan after a late intercept.

It did not matter in the final reckoning.

Canada’s Sophie de Goede: “The Black Ferns are six-time world champions, we knew we had to put in an incredible performance.

“Our tagline is Be-leaf, Belief. We’ve defied the odds time and time again and that propels you forward. We’ve fostered a knowledge in the group that we can overcome anything.

“The defensive focus was huge this week. Our attack has been firing all tournament, but we knew we had to do a big job in defence. We were able to do that and that’s why you saw that result.”

Her message to the fans back at home: “Thank you so much for your support. But I know we have one job left to do for you guys. The dream is to win a World Cup, and getting to the final is a huge part of this. Words can’t express how much your support means to us.”

Canada scrum-half Justine Pelletier: “That was crazy. It was fun to play rugby and we’ve shown what rugby can be.

“A lot of grit, a lot of resilience, a lot of hard work. It’s not just one game, it’s a lot of hustle in the dark. Now we’re in the light. Thanks for everyone’s support.

New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting: “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.”

Black Ferns captain Kennedy Tukuafu: “Canada were exceptional and it will be a great final.

New Zealand: Holmes; Sorensen-McGee, Waaka, Brunt, Woodman-Wickliffe; Demant, Pouri-Lane; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Roos, A Bremner, Mikaele-Tu’u, Tukuakfu, Olsen-Baker.

Replacements: Lolohea, Henwood, Rule, C Bremner, Sae, Joseph, Setefano, Leti-I’iga.

Canada: Schell; Corrigan, Symonds, Tessier, Hogan-Rochester; Perry, Pelletier; Hunt, Tuttosi, Menin, De Goede, O’Donnell, Crossley, Paquin, Forteza.