Here’s Sarah Rendell’s match report from Ashton Gate. Thanks for joining me, wherever you are – and be sure to join Lee Calvert for France v England tomorrow. Bye!
OK, one more. “I’m from Kitchener in central Canada,” writes Christy Goossen. “Dyed in the wool hockey fan, but I am entranced by this team! Will be watching on Saturday!”
What I loved about that performance was that Canada were so fluid, fast and good to watch – but then so defensively disciplined. No penalties conceded for the first hour, and they stopped New Zealand in their tracks when the comeback looked to be gathering pace.
A final email from Melissa Anderson. “Scrambled to find pub after a work meeting in Esquimalt, Vancouver Island. Caught the last minutes by myself at the bar. The guy next to me was so chuffed at my enthusiasm he paid for my beer and said he’d watch the final. He said he never watches women’s sport nor rugby. I pointed out all the players from Victoria and those who had played here. Small but mighty fan base. Go Canada!” Sport’s great sometimes, isn’t it?
Here’s Sarah Rendell on the second semi-final, which has a hard act to follow:
Sophie de Goede: “We’ve got one more job to do, but huge relief and excitement. Huge respect to the Black Ferns, we knew it would take an incredible performance to beat them. Our dream is to win the World Cup, our tagline is ‘be-leaf’ and we’ve defied the odds over and over again.
“We feel like we can overcome anything, and I think you saw that today against a six-time world champion team. Our defence did a great job today, keeping the pressure on all game.” Where will she watch England v France? “In bed with my feet up!”
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“Writing to you from rural Alberta, where my husband and I are driving to Calgary,” writes Kerry McQuarrie. “He has a connection to the team: he’s pretty sure Sophie de Goede’s father was the rugby coach at his university.”
“The Red Roses might be feeling a bit like Ralph Wiggum right now,” notes Oliver Eastwood.
Here’s the player of the match, Justine Pelletier: “It was great, a lot of tempo and a lot of … rugby! We love to play rugby. A lot of grit, a lot of resilience, hard work – it’s not one game, it’s been three years of work, in the dark but now we’re in the light. England or France in the final? We want to play the best, so we’ll take whoever wins!”
It’s worth repeating: Canada are No 2 in the world, but they had to crowdfund a million dollars to help pay for their pre-tournament travel and preparations.
“I’m watching from Edmonton in western Canada – using the game as an excuse to put off a philosophy essay for university!” I feel you, Oliver Eastwood. “This has been an incredible game – De Goede has been great, as expected, but that try from Florence Symonds is my highlight of the match. Feels such an honour to cheer on this team, who are such outstanding representatives of sport in Canada.”
“The tectonic plates of rugby are shifting,” says Ugo Monye on the BBC, and he’s not wrong. New Zealand hadn’t lost a knockout World Cup game since 1991 – and there may be another unbeaten run the Maple Leafs feel like breaking in next Saturday’s final.
Full time: New Zealand 19-34 Canada
Canada may be a place above New Zealand in the world rankings, but this is still a seismic moment in Women’s World Cup history. In terms of history and finances, they were clear underdogs, but they have defeated the mighty Black Ferns, and in such thrilling style too.
80 mins: New Zealand are still pressing, with Sorensen-McGee one player in black who doesn’t deserve this result. But we’re into the red now, and it’s a matter of time until Canada’s place in the final is confirmed. Finally, the ball springs loose, and Tessier hoofs it gleefully into the stand.
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78 mins: Canada turn it over! It’s the brilliant Sophie de Goede who throws an arm out and intercepts Joseph’s pass. She races upfield and tries to find Corrigan, who spills the ball with open field in front of her. Not to worry: Canada are going to the World Cup final.
77 mins: New Zealand keep pushing, Sorensen-McGee and Roos breaking tackles – but Canada aren’t allowing any quick scores here, massed behind the ball …
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76 mins: Forteza also back on for Senft as Rouet trusts in his starters to finish the job – although Gillian Boag is on for Tuttosi, and Senft quickly returns to replace Caroline Crossley.
75 mins: Players from both sides are strewn across the turf as Layla Sae buffets her way downfield. For Canada, Paquin has come back on for Royer after being cleared. For New Zealand, Theresa Setefano is on for Brunt.
New Zealand 19-34 Canada (De Goede pen 74')
Sophie de Goede slots over the kick, and the gap is 15 points with barely six minutes left to play. Canada might just be heading for the World Cup final …
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71 mins: Laetitia Royer heaves over the line but, with their World Cup ending if the ball touches grass, New Zealand somehow hold her up. Still, there’s a penalty for offside – and Canada will take the chance to extend their lead beyond two converted tries.
70 mins: New Zealand are penalised again, this time for a croc roll – and Canada will set up a lineout, and a roll for the line …
69 mins: The tension is palpable – you can practically hear a pin drop around Ashton Gate. Hogan-Rochester puts in another twisting run but runs out of options. Canada know another try would surely be enough.
68 mins: The possession-o-meter has swung dramatically – New Zealand with 94% in the last 10 minutes. That said, another costly handling error gives Canada the put-in at a midfield scrum.
66 mins: That’s Sorensen-McGee’s ninth try of this World Cup. For Canada, Gabrielle Senft is on for Forteza, who is undergoing a head injury assessment. Atlanta Lolohea and Kate Henwood are on for Georgia Ponsonby and Chryss Viliko in the NZ front row.
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TRY! New Zealand 19-31 Canada (Sorensen-McGee 64')
The comeback is absolutely on now. Maia Joseph slaloms beyond a tackle and although Canada regroup at the line, Demant’s high kick to the corner is claimed by Sorensen-McGee. The 18-year-old wriggles past Hogan-Rochester, payback for Canada’s second try – but she can’t land the conversion.
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63 mins: Apps is involved straight away, digging out the ball as Canada clear their lines. More New Zealand changes: Maia Joseph replaces Risi Pouri-Lane at scrum-half and Chelsea Bremner is in for her younger sister, Alana.
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62 mins: Brittany Kassil and Letitia Royer replace Hunt and Paquin in the pack, while Olivia Apps – another star of the Paris Olympic sevens silver medallists – replaces Pelletier at scrum-half.
61 mins: It’s taken an hour but Canada are penalised for the first time, De Goede (I think) going in off her feet. New Zealand opt for the scrum, five metres out – and Rouet is ringing the changes.
59 mins: Canada still lead by more than two converted tries, but this feels like a huge 10 minutes with some players in white looking weary. When will Kevin Rouet opt to make changes?
58 mins: Sylvia Brunt is stopped in midfield by Pelletier, who throws herself into a tackle despite looking physically outmatched.
TRY! New Zealand 14-31 (Mikaele-Tu'u 56')
It’s not over yet! Layla Sae, just on for Tukuafu, smashes through a tackle and there’s a path for Liana Mikaele-Tu’u to barrel over the line. Sorensen-McGee takes over kicking duties and converts.
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55 mins: Finally some space for New Zealand’s backs to roam upfield, Sorensen-McGee leading the charge. A grubber kick through catches Julia Schell cold, and the full-back has to hoof into touch rather than collect it. A big chance for the Black Ferns here …
54 mins: Canada have had 83% possession in this second half – if anything, they’ve dialled up the dominance since the break.
52 mins: A first change for Canada, with Tyson Beukeboom (great name, let’s be honest) replaces Courtney O’Donnell. Pouri-Lane tries to clear downfield but her kick is charged down by hooker Tutossi. Relentless pressure.
50 mins: A second Black Ferns change, Ayesha Leti-Iiga replacing Holmes. Could strength from the bench help turn this game around? As it stands, New Zealand are staring at a first knockout-stage defeat at a World Cup since 1991.
48 mins: A New Zealand attack ends in a handling error, in what has been a recurring theme. The penalty count now reads New Zealand 6-0 Canada; how the Maple Leafs have played at such a high tempo without conceding a single penalty is beyond me.
45 mins: Canada start the second half as they ended the first, and it’s a long way back for the champions now. They make a change in the front row, Amy Rule replacing try-scorer Kalounivale.
TRY! New Zealand 7-31 Canada (Tessier 42')
A fifth try for Canada, the forwards punching holes in the Black Ferns defence and making space for Alex Tessier, who slaloms her way over the line. De Goede converts.
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42 mins: Canada win the lineout and burst down the left through Hogan-Rochester. They’re knocking on the door again …
41 mins: Menin strips the ball away to start the move, but this time New Zealand hold firm and clear their lines after the scrum – although Demant’s clearing kick only travels about 20 metres.
Second half
Alex Tessier gets the second half under way, and Canada are straight back on the offensive …
“Watching from Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province,” writes John Morrison. “I sense a little extra fire in the Maple Leafs.”
Whoever wins this game, France and England have a hard act to follow at the same venue tomorrow. Here’s some pre-game reading:
“Canada are a lovely team to watch, very fast and always seem to know what they’re doing,” notes Denis O’Brien. That half showed them at their free-flowing best, and the sheer speed proved too much for New Zealand. Aside from that one grinding score from Kalounivale, it’s been almost one-way traffic.
Half time: New Zealand 7-24 Canada
Canada pick up a penalty but Tessier opts to kick it out, and the Maple Leafs head off the field with a deserved lead. New Zealand players stay out there, forming a huddle as they try to break down what went wrong.
39 mins: New Zealand retain the ball from a scrum deep in their own half and Stacey Waaka’s attempted break is halted by fellow No 13, Florence Symonds. Another loose pass presents Canada with the put-in at a final scrum, and a chance to stretch their lead …
38 mins: Canada aren’t concerned with defending this lead until the half-time whistle – Pelletier again dictating the tempo of another flowing attacking move. The defending champions urgently need the break to clear their heads.
TRY! New Zealand 7-24 Canada (De Goede 35')
Or not, as Canada’s all-round star Sophie de Goede finds a gap 10 metres out and darts under the post like a fleet-footed winger. The lock kicks her own conversion, and New Zealand look shell-shocked.
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34 mins: Pelletier puts into the scrum and lets No 8 Forteza dig it out and offload back to her. Forteza gets involved again with a drive forward, but New Zealand’s defence is just about holding …
32 mins: Canada still so dangerous on the break, another sweeping move only stopped as Hogan-Rochester is bustled into touch.
30 mins: New Zealand charge down the left flank, Olsen-Baker carrying again before Sorensen-McGee’s offload slips into touch. Are the champions waking up?
28 mins: A relentless first half continues with Sorensen-McGee kicking over the Canadian defence and almost retrieving it herself. Schell responded with a kick-chase of her own, but is muscled off the ball. No penalty, despite Canadian protests.
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TRY! New Zealand 7-17 Canada (Kalounivale 26')
Or maybe not – the Black Ferns hit back immediately, their forwards rolling ominously upfield with Viliko leading the charge before fellow prop Tanya Kalounivale barges her way over. Renee Holmes adds the conversion, and the gap is cut to 10 points.
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25 mins: De Goede’s conversion curls in towards the right-hand post – but clunks against it. Still, New Zealand are in trouble here …
TRY! New Zealand 0-17 Canada (Symonds 24')
They’ve got a third try! New Zealand withstand heavy pressure from the Canadian pack but they’re outnumbered when play is switched to the right, Tessier finding Florence Symonds to score. Well then!
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23 mins: Canada earn another penalty as De Goede protects the ball, and Tessier opts for touch rather than a shot at goal …
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22 mins: Canada win the lineout ball and work the ball out to the left, where it just slips from Hogan-Rochester’s grasp. A third Canada try would have the champions very worried indeed …
20 mins: New Zealand concede another penalty – their third of the game – and De Goede can kick to touch. I’m still a bit confused by the kit choices: Canada’s white with black trim and black shorts seems much closer to New Zealand’s than their red home kit.
18 mins: Schell launches a big kick downfield and almost gets underneath her own up and under, before the ball is deflected into touch.
17 mins: New Zealand retain the ball from a scrum deep in their own half and wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe gets involved – but Canada’s defence holds firm, sapping the forward momentum.
16 mins: New Zealand work through nine phases but are forced to kick downfield, and full-back Julia Schell bursts downfield before running out of support. There’s a break in play now, with Black Ferns prop Chryss Viliko getting her ankle re-taped.
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14 mins: New Zealand will have expected a fast start from their opponents, but perhaps not to this extent. There’s an opening here from an Olsen-Baker interception but the Black Ferns run out of bodies out wide.
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12 mins: Sophie de Goede, a rare goal-kicking forward, heaves a marker post out of her way for the conversion. Her effort from out wide is decent, but just drifts left of the near post.
TRY! New Zealand 0-12 Canada (Hogan-Rochester 11')
What a start from Canada! New Zealand’s defence is a little narrow, and the ball is heaved out wide to wing Asia Hogan-Rochester, who gets away from Sorensen-McGee’s tackle and dives into the corner.
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10 mins: Canada win another penalty and have the chance to attack again. New Zealand are on the back foot early on …
TRY! New Zealand 0-7 Canada (Pelletier 7')
It pays off as Corrigan gets beyond a scrambling New Zealand defence before offloading to Pelletier, who beats the last defender with another smart shimmy. De Goede adds the conversion.
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6 mins: Canada win their first lineout and a nice feint from Justine Pelletier breaks the line. They earn a penalty advantage and go for a kick in behind …
“Cheering for Canada. We have enough fourth-place finishes, we need to win this semifinal, and then … who knows,” writes Doug Simms. Meanwhile, in Queenstown, NZ, here’s Geoff Hughes.
“Just woken up to watch the game. A fine clear day and so we will be off skiing when the game finishes. The ski season has just a week or so before it ends.” Sounds like a decent Saturday, Geoff.
4 mins: After a couple of resets, Canada retain the ball and sweep upfield – but another knock-on halts their charge. It’ll be another scrum, deeper into New Zealand territory but with the Black Ferns putting in.
2 mins: It pays off as Sophie de Goede lets the ball out of her grasp. An early turnover but Canada stand up to the onslaught, and win a scrum close to the halfway line.
First half
Here we go! New Zealand kick off, and immediately look to put pressure on their opponents.
Time for the haka, with New Zealand’s entire 23 fanning out and staring down their opponents. Absolutely spine-tingling stuff, as always – and there’s a mighty roar from the crowd afterwards.
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“Really looking forward to the semi finals, the general level has been very high in this tournament, and here we go for the four best teams,” writes Jeremy Boyce.
“The Black Ferns, as reigning champs, have a target on their backs, but they have consistently shown their ability to rise to the big occasion, as I’m sure they will again tonight even without Jorja Miller. They have strength in depth, but the Maple Leafs have a point to prove after their near miss last time out. Should be a great match.”
The players are running out past the trophy, New Zealand in all black (of course) and Canada in their white away shirts. If you’re reading this in a far-flung corner of either country, I’d love to hear from you: niall.mcveigh@theguardian.com.
Here’s Emma John on the story of the World Cup so far: a festival of rugby, fun and much-needed good vibes.
Here’s the Canada head coach, Kevin Rouet: “No change for us, keep doing what we do, and try to be more confident.” Did South Africa’s quarter-final display given them extra belief? “I’m not concerned for New Zealand, but we’ve grown in confidence, we know physicality will be the key.” Is he happy with their underdog status. “We’re Canada, nobody knows about us, and we’re happy with that!”
Some pre-game thoughts from the New Zealand head coach, Allan Bunting: “We know what this game means, it’s a step up and we’ve got to be accurate and across the board. The squad we’ve got now, we’ve been building for a while – set-pieces and the breakdown are going to be key. We believe in our game, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge today.”
A reminder, as if one were needed, that the winners of this match will meet England or France in the final at Twickenham. As Ugo Monye writes, the last four may have panned out as expected but now there’s no margin for error.
Team news
New Zealand: Holmes, Sorensen-McGee, Waaka, Brunt, Woodman-Wickliffe, Demant (co-captain), Pouri-Lane; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Roos, A Bremner, Mikaele-Tu’u, Tukuafu (co-captain), Olsen-Baker.
Replacements: Lolohea, Henwood, Rule, C Bremner, Sae, Joseph, Setefano, Leti-Iiga.
Canada: Schell, Corrigan, Symonds, Tessier (captain), Hogan-Rochester, Perry, Pelletier; Hunt, Tuttosi, Menin, De Goede, O’Donnell, Crossley, Paquin, Forteza.
Replacements: Boag, Kassil, DeMerchant, Beukeboom, Royer, Senft, Apps, Seumanutafa.
Preamble
As the defending champions, New Zealand have not so much picked their path through the World Cup draw as steamrollered straight to the semi-finals. The Black Ferns won all three of their pool games by at least 40 points, and then cranked through the gears to overcome brief resistance from South Africa in the last eight.
The script suggests that tonight is their last rehearsal before an inevitable rematch with England in next Saturday’s final – but Canada will have other ideas. Kevin Rouet’s side have stayed under the radar despite sitting above New Zealand in the world rankings, and will believe a first final appearance since 2014 is in reach.
Canada have also powered to the final four, dominating their pool before cruising through a potentially tricky quarter-final tie against Australia. With Jorja Miller missing for New Zealand, the Maple Leafs have an opportunity to go one better than the dramatic 27-27 draw they earned in Christchurch back in May.
Whatever the outcome, fans at a balmy Ashton Gate can look forward to a free-flowing contest featuring the tournament’s top four points scorers: New Zealand’s Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Renee Holmes, up against Sophie de Goede and Julia Schell for Canada. Kick-off is at 7pm (BST); 2pm in Ottawa, 6am in Auckland.
