Canada, the dark horse, ends Black Ferns' reign
MATCH REPORT: Canada booked their place in the Final of the World Cup after beating six-time champions New Zealand 34-19 in Bristol on Friday evening.
It is only the third time the Black Ferns have ever lost a World Cup match, and it is their first knockout defeat since the inaugural tournament in 1991.
Canada lost the 2014 Final to England and has never won the tournament, but they outplayed and outmatched the defending champions in style.
Canada scored four tries in the first half, setting up the victory from the outset. They only conceded two penalties in the whole game.
Both sides were asserting themselves early on.
The first time Canada got into New Zealand’s territory, they lost the ball after a strong scrum by the ladies in white.
Canada looked dangerous and were playing very fast, but the world champions looked calm in defence and were competing hard at the breakdown.
After a poor kick out on the full from Renee Holme, Alysha Corrigan picked up and offloaded to Justine Pelletier, who dummied the final defender and went over.
Sophie de Goede converted, and Canada was ahead 7-0 after seven minutes.
New Zealand was struggling to keep up with the speed of the Canadians.
From the setpiece, Canada winger Asia Hogan-Rochester got over in the corner for the second only three minutes later.
Then the Black Ferns finally got over the advantage line, but it amounted to nothing as they conceded another penalty, inaccurate at the breakdown.
An intercept by Kaipo Olsen-Baker almost worked for New Zealand, but once again, a handling error amounted to nothing, and one could sense the Black Ferns’ frustration.
Another ball spits out of the Black Ferns’ hands, and Canada opens up space. They were surging forward, but they lost it forward in the tackle.
Canada’s line speed was immense, and it was clear that the Black Ferns were not used to it.
Canada sent a kickable penalty from out wide, which was nudged into the corner. Canada wanted another try.
New Zealand were back paddling, desperate on the line.
It was phase after phase, and then they released it wide, and Florence Symonds got in for their third try.
Eventually, the Kiwis got their first try after a brilliant take in the air by Stacy Waaka. It was Tanya Kalounivale who picked and powered her way over for a score.
But Canada was not letting the foot off the pedal. Nippy scrumhalf Pelletier sniped, popped to De Goede, who stretched her legs to dot down under the uprights. She converted her try to stretch Canada’s lead to 24-7.
It is games like this where the big-name players step up, and De Goede is definitely one.
Canada was heading to a fifth try before half-time, showing great hands and straightening the line.
Scrumhalf Pelletier was the best player on the pitch in the first half, keeping New Zealand guessing.
Two minutes into the second half, Canada were raiding New Zealand’s tryline again, and captain Alexandra Tessier got over.
Leading 31-7 after the conversion, it was their biggest lead ever against the Kiwis.
The Black Ferns’ woes continued as Canada got a penalty with a lineout in the 22m, but New Zealand did well to turn it over.
It worked in their favour, and they got their second try with No. 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u working her way through the traffic.
It was a lifeline for the Black Ferns, but would it be enough?
Then, New Zealand seemed to have found their mojo. They strung together phases, they advanced up to the five metre, and Canada conceded their first penalty, and the Black Ferns opted for a scrum.
But they lost the ball over the line, and Canada cleared.
The Black Ferns got back on the horse immediately, starting a renewed attack. Canada was made to tackle in earnest.
The ladies in white were scrambling as New Zealand came hard at them.
A beautifully weighted kick found Sorensen-McGee, her ninth of the tournament, on the outskirts to score New Zealand’s third try, closing the gap to 19-31.
Possession last 10 minutes: New Zealand 94%-6% Canada.
But New Zealand had a mountain to climb after Canada landed a three-pointer to stretch their lead to 34-19. The last movement by New Zealand was merely academic.
Canada booked their spot in the final at Twickenham next weekend.
Player of the Match: Justine Pelletier was a menace and a trickster, not only scoring a try but also creating magic.
Scorers:
For Canada:
Tries: Pelletier, Hogan-Rochester, Symonds, De Goede, Tessier
Cons: De Goede 3
Pens: De Goede
For New Zealand:
Tries: Kalounivale, Mikaele-Tu’u, Sorensen-McGee
Cons: Holmes, Sorensen-McGee
Teams:
Canada: 15 Julia Schell, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 13 Florence Symonds, 12 Alexandra Tessier (captain), 11 Asia Hogan-Rochester; 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier; 8 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 6 Caroline Crossley; 5 Courtney O’Donnell, 4 Sophie de Goede; 3 DaLeaka Menin, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 1 McKinley Hunt
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Laetitia Royer, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa
New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9 Risi Pouri-Lane, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Kate Henwood, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Chelsea Bremner, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Theresa Setefano, 23 Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Ella Goldsmith (RA)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
