#Canada tops New Zealand 34-19, advances to Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

“I said to the girls to stop crying because we have a job to do in eight days,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said. “That’s the mindset. We need to finish the job. I am excited for next weekend. I want it to be next weekend now.”

Canada lost its only other final in 2014 to England.

England plays France in the other semifinal on Saturday in Bristol.

Canada’s victory was not a surprise. It won and drew its last two matchups with New Zealand after 17 straight defeats. What did surprise was how much Canada dominated the Black Ferns.

The forwards, especially totemic lock Sophie de Goede, stymied New Zealand up front and the backs, led by scrum half Justine Pelletier, outsmarted their opposites.

Their first World Cup win over six-time champion New Zealand was also only the third time the Black Ferns have lost in tournament history. The Black Ferns suffered their first World Cup loss in 11 years and their first loss in a knockout match in 34 years.

“Canada were impressive,” New Zealand coach Allan Bunting said. “Canada were accurate and we weren’t, and that’s the difference.”

Two errors by New Zealand fullback Renee Holmes and two pieces of skill by fly half Taylor Perry led to Canada’s 12-0 dream start in as many minutes.

Holmes’ kick out on the full led to Perry’s chaos-causing chip and Pelletier’s converted try, then Perry’s over-the-top pass found left wing Asia Hogan-Rochester, who palmed off Holmes to score.

Canada’s forwards took charge and 14 phases narrowed the Black Ferns defence for Tessier who, just before she was cut in half, sent in midfield partner Florence Symonds and extended their lead to 17-0.

New Zealand hit back after Stacey Waaka caught the restart. Prop Tanya Kalounivale barged over but New Zealand’s rushed errors kept giving back Canada turf and ball.

And five minutes from the break, de Goede’s intuitive connection with Pelletier paid off again when she took a round-the-corner off-load and streaked in between the posts. The lock converted her own try -- she was four of six off the tee -- and Canada was flying.

New Zealand came in with a tournament-leading 93% successful tackle rate but missed 18 tackles in the first half.

Right from the restart, prop DaLeaka Menin stripped New Zealand of the ball and Tessier ended up stepping off her right foot and crossing untouched for another converted try.

New Zealand rallied with scores by flanker Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee -- her ninth try in her maiden World Cup -- but the pressure to catch up played into Canada’s hands.

Canada’s defence was happy to concede penalties to corral New Zealand.

De Goede added a final penalty kick to wrap up one of Canada’s greatest victories.

“Huge relief and excitement and pride after that,” De Goede said. “We knew it was going to take an incredible performance to beat them and I am just really proud we were able to put that out on the field and keep control in that game.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2025.

Foster Niumata, The Canadian Press

#Foot : Chancel Mbemba saisit la justice contre Marseille, Le congolais a saisi la justice pour harcèlement moral lié à sa mise à l'écart, pressions pour accepter des contrats non désirés, ainsi que pour tentative de lui imposer un intermédiaire (agent) étranger dans ses affaires contractuelles.

D'après plusieurs médias français, le congolais a même apporté des preuves matérielles, notamment des enregistrements, pour appuyer sa plainte. Par contre, l'Olympique de Marseille, de son côté, affirme n'avoir reçu aucune notification et refuse de commenter l'affaire.

Pour rappel, l'international congolais, encore sous contrat avec Marseille la saison dernière, avait été mis à l'écart toute la saison, poussé à partir pour l'intérêt du club. Mbemba n'a pas cédé à ces pressions, il a préféré rester et finir son contrat le 30 juin dernier.

Actuellement, le défenseur congolais s'est engagé avec Lille Olympique sporting club (LOSC) pour une saison seulement. Avec son nouveau club, il va disputer le championnat français, la Coupe national ainsi que la Ligue Europa.

Cowan: Merton School students give Canadiens’ Alexandre Carrier and his wife, Alicia Lessard, a warm welcome

Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki continues to develop on and off the ice

Aryna Sabalenka wins the U.S. Open again after vowing to no longer lose control of her emotions

#Israel Premier Tech removes team name from uniforms at Spanish Vuelta after protests

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Amanda Anisimova for her 2nd consecutive U.S. Open title and 4th at a major

Dabrowski in final, Auger-Aliassime vs. Sinner on big day for Canada at U.S. Open

All Black prop Tyrel Lomax said they are ready to put everything on the line to defend their unbeaten streak at Eden Park as the Springboks make their first visit to the ground in 12 years on Saturday.

The All Blacks face a crisis at scrumhalf, with Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham, and Cortez Ratima all out of Saturday’s Test against the #Springboks at Eden Park.