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 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.
In the build-up to the game, Canada had spoken about the belief they had taken from their last two meetings with the Black Ferns – a 22-19 win and a 27-27 draw, both in Christchurch.
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.
However, they did not have to make up such a vast deficit and, despite Liana Mikaele-Tu’u crossing from close range and Braxton Sorensen-McGee being put in by Ruahei Demant’s cross-field punt, they never looked like producing another famous comeback as 24,392 fans at Ashton Gate acclaimed the victors.
More to follow.
