'Nothing guaranteed’ as Black Ferns face Canada side backed by $1.2m crowdfund for Women’s Rugby World Cup
Thursday, 18 September 2025
For the casual Kiwis thinking the Black Ferns have an easy ride into another Women’s Rugby World Cup final, think again.
Canada, who don’t have a fulltime women’s rugby programme, are the team stood between the Black Ferns and a Twickenham final that will attract a record-breaking crowd of more than 80,000 in London next weekend.
They meet for the third time in 16 months when Bristol hosts their semifinal at 6am on Saturday (NZ time) and the world champion Kiwis have failed to beat Canada in their last two encounters in Christchurch.
Amateur in many respects, albeit with a bounty of experienced professional players, the Canadians are second only to overwhelming World Cup favourites England in the world rankings. The Black Ferns are third.
In fact, Canada launched a crowdfunding campaign in March with a goal of raising CA$1million (NZ$1.22m) and an unsubtle title: “Mission: Win The Rugby World Cup 2025”.
Rugby Canada said they were “95% of the way” there on the tournament’s eve, with all donations funding their preparations towards their dream of a first World Cup victory.
A small union in the global game, they have been up front about not having the same riches and resources as England, France or New Zealand.
They were proud to declare they were No 2 “in the world despite operating on only a fraction of the budget of our top competition”.
For comparison, the Black Ferns have been fully professional since 2022. They have tens of millions poured into their campaigns from New Zealand Rugby’s annual spend on its national teams.
‘Nothing is guaranteed’
One of Canadian rugby’s finest hours was their first win against the Black Ferns, the six-time world champions, in Christchurch last May.
Canada’s celebrations were long and loud after taking the Pacific Four Series title from New Zealand’s tight grasp.
Allan Bunting’s Black Ferns were shellshocked as Canada pinned them inside their 22, competed ferociously at the breakdown and flexed their control with a superior kicking game to hold on 22-19.
Forewarned for their rematch in the same city 12 months later, the Black Ferns got out of jail with Sylvia Brunt’s last-gasp try to draw 27-27. Ruahei Demant missed a touchline conversion to snatch victory.
The Black Ferns know what’s coming against a powerful team led by French coach Kevin Rouet since 2022. They have complemented their improvement with some notable results and frightened England on occasion.
Black Ferns loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu’u played in both Christchurch clashes.
“The growth of their team has been immense. You can tell they’re fit and more of their players have become more physical. It’s been cool to observe as an opponent,” she said.
“When we play Canada, nothing is guaranteed until the whistle is blown. They are well drilled with their set piece and the structure they play.
“They are just a team that will keep going and going and going.”
Canada have breezed through the tournament with big wins over Fiji (65-7), Wales (42-0), Scotland (40-19) and Australia (46-5) and looked outstanding in attack.
‘Competitive for a long time’
Canada almost beat England, who have won 31 consecutive tests, in Vancouver last October but went down 21-12, their only loss in their last 18 matches in a sequence spanning almost two years.
The Canadians also rattled the English in their 2022 World Cup semifinal in Auckland. England survived to win 26-19 and were rescued by Abby Dow’s breathtaking coast-to-coast try at Eden Park.
Their best World Cup performance came in France 2014 (when the whole women’s 15s game was amateur) when they lost 21-9 in the final to England.
More than half of their squad play in professional 15s leagues in England and France and have clearly benefited from a consistent stream of quality domestic matches.
There has long been a seamless crossover of their sevens players switching to 15s, unbound by contracts.
Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Caroline Crossley and Olivia Apps were all in Canada’s sevens squad that claimed silver at last year’s Paris Olympics, losing 19-12 in a tight final against the Black Ferns Sevens.
Goal-kicking forward Sophie de Goede, one of the world’s most dynamic players, has recovered from a serious knee injury to play at her second World Cup and has switched from No 8 to lock.
Most of Canada’s squad have also been together for a long time and Bunting said the foundation of their game has been a “solid set piece”, something the Black Ferns will have to contest.
“Their ruck speed is really good, too. They have talented players across the field,” Bunting said.
“It’s going to be an amazing test match and decided by which team works hardest for the longest.”
Canada will have noted how the Black Ferns struggled with South Africa’s forceful innovations in last weekend’s quarterfinal, such as a 15-player lineout, and driving mauls that drove them back.
The Black Ferns negated the Springbok women with their lightning attack that Canada will have to shut down, although they won’t lack confidence because of their success in Christchurch.
“They’re a quality side, they’re innovative and really connected,” Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu said.
“They’ve played a lot of rugby together, but we’re just excited for the weekend to show them a new style of Black Fern’s rugby.”
‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’
Canada don’t have a huge following at home in a nation obsessed with winter sports.
They have nonetheless had support this week from famous Canadian pop star Shania Twain, who sung catchy hits such as Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
“I’ll be cheering for you all,” Twain said on social media. “Let’s go girls!”
Canada fullback Julia Schell said she “freaked out”.
“Obviously. Me and another team-mate, who is not on tour with us right now, are very big Shania Twain fans,” Schell said.
“So, after training, I saw a message from my friend saying to go and check Instagram. I literally sprinted from the bus into the changing rooms, and I’ve never fallen over so hard.
“I was wearing these silly little slippers, and I absolutely ate the floor. That probably sums up how I was feeling about it.”
Canada are buoyant. The Black Ferns will need to unleash their best performance of Bunting’s three-year tenure to reach their seventh World Cup final. This is an amateur side not to be underestimated.
Black Ferns v Canada — Rugby World Cup semifinal
Saturday, 6am at Ashton Gate, Bristol (NZ time)
Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Stacey Waaka, Sylvia Brunt, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Risi Pouri-Lane; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt), Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Alana Bremner, Maia Roos, Tanya Kalounivale, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Kate Henwood, Amy Rule, Chelsea Bremner, Layla Sa’e, Maia Joseph, Theresa Setefano, Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
Canada: Julia Schell, Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier (capt), Asia Hogan-Rochester, Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; Fabiola Forteza, Karen Paquin, Caroline Crossley, Courtney O'Donnell, Sophie de Goede, DaLeaka Menin, Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt. Reserves: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Tyson Beukeboom, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Olivia Apps, Shoshanah Seumanutafa.