It’s a strange thing to hear, but the truth is it’s not a surprise Canada defeated New Zealand at the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Friday, a titanic win that sends the reds into the final next week vs. England.
On recent form, not long-standing history, Canada came into the game as favourites against the world’s most famous rugby nation. Yes, New Zealand is to rugby what Canada is to hockey, but the truth is Canada’s women have caught up, despite being not being a fully professional outfit — unlike their down-under rivals.
Canada’s 34-19 win made our national squad undefeated in three straight matches now vs. the Black Ferns; the two teams drew 29-29 earlier this year in Wellington, N.Z., and Canada took our first-ever win over our Commonwealth cousins in the match previous to that last year, also in New Zealand.
Still, New Zealand are the summit of the game. They’re the name even non-rugby fans know. And they’ll have raised their eyebrows that Canada beat New Zealand.
The thing is, it’s not just that Canada won, or that, as mentioned above, Canada is actually undefeated in three straight vs. New Zealand — it’s how Canada won on Friday.
Canada players applaud the fans after the final whistle following their victory in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Semi Final match between New Zealand and Canada at Ashton Gate on September 19, 2025 in Bristol, England.
The 15-point win is the first time in 18 matches New Zealand has lost at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. It had been more than a decade since the two-time defending champions had lost at the global championship, a shock 17-14 loss to Ireland in pool play in 2014, which knocked the Kiwis out of contention for the semifinals.
Since then they’ve been on a tear.
Here’s the truly amazing thing about Canada’s win: the 15-point margin is the biggest loss for any New Zealand team at a Rugby World Cup, men’s or women’s, ever.
That’s how strong this Canadian team is looking. That’s why at least a few pundits in the U.K. are pondering whether the Canadians may in fact be the favourites going into next weekend’s final at Twickenham, the self-proclaimed “home of rugby.”
Yes, favourites at England’s home stadium — and with England coming into the tournament ranked No. 1.
Yes, favourites over fully-professional England.
At the very least, it’s fair to say this one is lining up as a toss-up. And that’s already a wonderful story for the Canadians. They’ve already achieved supremacy over rugby’s biggest brand and are putting themselves at equal status to rugby’s richest outfit.
And the Canadian squad is essentially self-funded. That’s to their credit but also a flaw in the Canadian system that mustn’t be ignored.
Coach Kevin Rouet has made an incredibly efficient use of the resources available to him — and is blessed with a pretty good development system, even if there’s no professional rugby at the top of the Canadian pyramid.
Canada’s Sophie de Goede controls the ball the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 semifinal match between New Zealand and Canada in Bristol, England, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Women’s rugby in Canada is blessed with a solid university pathway, with well-run varsity squads from coast to coast. And that’s built on a long-standing foundation of highly engaged — and just as crucially, broadly-aligned — volunteer coaches. Women’s rugby has always been dependent on one’s ability to make the best of what’s in front of you, to constantly be recruiting new players into your squad, to creating an inclusive, joyful environment that also challenges young women on their own terms.
This Canadian team, led by the transcendent Sophie De Goede, is a true representation of everyone involved in rugby in our vast country. The Canadian forward pack is the toughest in the world. Canada’s defence, led by captain Alex Tessier is as ferocious, as co-ordinated, as tough as it gets in world rugby. Their outside backs, like Flo Symonds and Asia Hogan-Rochester, are electric. The team’s depth is also so impressive, with their front row starters and replacements are practically interchangeable — in a good way — and they’ve got the electricity of Olivia Apps too.
They’re practically the perfect rugby roster, such is the breadth and depth of their talents.
Looking at how England beat France on Saturday in their semifinal, you can see hints of why pundits are perhaps a little nervous. The English held a big advantage in set pieces, both scrums and lineouts, over the French, and yet they couldn’t translate that into a comprehensive victory. With ball in hand the French asked lots of questions of the English defence and scored three tries.
If the French had a better group of forwards, like, say, Canada’s, you had a feeling Saturday’s semi might have finished differently.
This is not to say that England were not deserved winners. They took their chances better than France did. But they weren’t perfect. And they come out of the weekend with questions about the health of star Ellie Kildunne, who took a leg knock late in her player-of-the-match performance Saturday.
That said, the English are massively experienced, with depth and talent in every position. They are deservedly the world’s No. 1 ranked team. And they’ll have a full stadium backing them.
Next Saturday will be a thrilling day. The biggest day in Canadian rugby history. That we know for sure.