{"id":22937,"date":"2025-09-20T07:53:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T19:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=22937"},"modified":"2025-09-20T08:32:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:32:57","slug":"black-ferns-crushed-by-canada-as-world-cup-title-defence-ends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/09\/20\/black-ferns-crushed-by-canada-as-world-cup-title-defence-ends\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Ferns crushed by Canada as World Cup title defence ends"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black Ferns crash to semifinal defeat against Canada in women\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Ashton Gate, Bristol:<\/em>
\nBlack Ferns 19 <\/strong>(Tanya Kalounivale 26\u2019, Liana Mikaele-Tu\u2019u 56\u2019, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 65\u2019 tries; Renee Holmes, Sorensen-McGee 2 con)<\/em>
\nCanada 34<\/strong> (Justine Pelletier 8\u2019, Asia Hogan-Rochester 11\u2019, Florence Symond 24\u2019, Sophie de Goede 35\u2019, Alex Tessier 43\u2019 tries; de Goede 3 con, pen).<\/em>
\nHT: 7-24.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Black Ferns\u2019 dream of a seventh Rugby World Cup title has been shattered by an outstanding Canada side in Bristol on Saturday (NZ time).<\/p>\n

The world No 2 Canadians were supreme in attack and defence to win 34-19 to reach just their second women\u2019s World Cup final at Twickenham next weekend.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns\u2019 reign as world champions came to a thudding halt after scrambling to mount a comeback in the final quarter, but they went down to their first loss in a World Cup knockout match in 34 years.<\/p>\n

The desperation factor accelerated as Canada were pinned in their 22 for spells in a tense finale.<\/p>\n

However, the heartbroken Black Ferns ran out of ideas and won\u2019t make it a hat-trick of world titles in England. Instead, the dreaded third-place playoff in London\u2019s famous venue awaits.<\/p>\n

Coach Allan Bunting watched the troubles of his tenure unfold in their ultimate test. At times, they were rabbits in headlights in their biggest game since their magical World Cup success on home soil in 2022.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns were impeded by their poor discipline, Canada\u2019s brutal defence and slack kicking in play which couldn\u2019t give them a route away from their own half. They weren\u2019t awarded a penalty until the 61st minute.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s set piece was far superior and their pack was led wonderfully by enterprising lock Sophie de Goede, with halfback Justine Pelletier an excellent orchestrator for their ruthless attack.<\/p>\n

De Goede booted an important late penalty goal to seal one of their greatest victories for a side who aren\u2019t full-time like the Black Ferns. They had to look for resources via a crowdfunding campaign.<\/p>\n

But the Black Ferns had no answer in a milestone 50th test for leader Ruahei Demant, who was helpless to stop Canada from exerting their unerring physical dominance on the Black Ferns\u2019 forwards.<\/p>\n

No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker was their best in driving their fightback and midfielder Sylvia Brunt looked forceful with carries that punched holes in Canada\u2019s wall of white jerseys.<\/p>\n

There were too many uncharacteristic mistakes when the Black Ferns went wide. Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Stacey Waaka fumbled promising attacks.<\/p>\n

The absence of Jorja Miller at openside flanker was felt because they were lacking a sharp edge when stretching the Canadian defence.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s lineout drive and ruck dominance gave them the platform to nullify New Zealand.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns\u2019 only respite was Waaka snaffling a restart from the sevens playbook, hooker Georgia Ponsonby storming through for the middle and prop Tanya Kalounivale crashing over. It was the demonstration of the pace and movement they can unleash.<\/p>\n

The Canadians were undeterred. They regained control to head into halftime with an imposing, deserved 24-7 lead.<\/p>\n

To finish a drab first half, the Black Ferns gathered in a huddle on the field, knowing their grip on the World Cup trophy was in peril.<\/p>\n

The second stanza couldn\u2019t have started any worse when Canada captain Alex Tessier extended the margin with their fifth try.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns had no choice but to go for broke. They did and when battling loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu\u2019u and Sorensen-McGee scored, hope was restored, albeit in vain.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns appeared to be asserting some physical control when prop Chryss Viliko\u2019s crunching tackle popped possession out of Canada\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

It was a false dawn. Canada\u2019s ruck speed was phenomenal and every time the Black Ferns were brought down, they were at risk of being gobbled up for a turnover.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s attacking pressure was ignited by Renee Holmes\u2019 poor kick. Astounding handling gave them early tries for Pelletier and glittering winger Asia Hogan-Rochester.<\/p>\n

Taylor Perry\u2019s looping pass for Hogan-Rochester might be the best of the tournament, but Pelletier\u2019s offload for de Goede to score was sublime, too.<\/p>\n

Another dominant lineout drive also gave centre Florence Symonds the easiest finish with the Black Ferns\u2019 defence in disarray.<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns were pedalling backwards from sloppy discipline. Even the reliable Demant conceded a soft ruck penalty that epitomised their woes.<\/p>\n

Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron never gave them the benefit of the doubt in a messy breakdown battle and Canada capitalised.<\/p>\n

The big picture<\/strong>
\nThe Black Ferns\u2019 last defeat in a World Cup knockout match was the 7-0 semifinal loss to the United States in Cardiff in 1991.<\/p>\n

Their record since has been unmatched in an incredible sequence of success. Canada have obliterated that streak.<\/p>\n

In fact, the Black Ferns had won 18 World Cup matches in a row since 2014 when they failed to make the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Bunting\u2019s side will have to wear the pain of this defeat in Bristol until the next World Cup in Australia in 2029. It wasn\u2019t a surprise because the Black Ferns hadn\u2019t beaten Canada in their last two encounters.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next<\/strong>
\nEngland play France in the second semifinal in Bristol on Sunday at 2:30am (NZ time).<\/p>\n

The Black Ferns will have to get up for the bronze final at Twickenham next Saturday night (NZ time). Canada can dream of winning their first World Cup.<\/p>\n

– Stuff<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Black Ferns crash to semifinal defeat against Canada in women\u2019s Rugby World Cup At Ashton Gate, Bristol: Black Ferns 19 (Tanya Kalounivale 26\u2019, Liana Mikaele-Tu\u2019u 56\u2019, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 65\u2019 tries; Renee Holmes, Sorensen-McGee 2 con) Canada 34 (Justine Pelletier 8\u2019, Asia Hogan-Rochester 11\u2019, Florence Symond 24\u2019, Sophie de Goede 35\u2019, Alex Tessier 43\u2019 tries; de…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":22938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bfrt.webp?fit=1240%2C700&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-5XX","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22919,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/09\/17\/black-ferns-v-canada-a-rivalry-in-numbers\/","url_meta":{"origin":22937,"position":0},"title":"Black Ferns v Canada: A Rivalry in Numbers","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"September 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The road to Rugby World Cup glory takes another step this weekend as the Black Ferns prepare for a blockbuster semi-final against Canada. 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