Rugby World Cup final spot on the line when Canadian women face New Zealand

Canada coach Kevin Rouet has named an unchanged side for Friday's semifinal showdown with defending champion New Zealand at the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

The second-ranked Canadians and third-ranked Black Ferns will meet at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, with No. 1 England and No. 4 France facing off at the same venue in the second semifinal Saturday.

Canada downed No. 7 Australia (46-5) in the quarterfinals after topping Pool B by defeating No. 13 Fiji (65-7), No. 12 Wales (42-0) and No. 6 Scotland (40-19).

"On Friday, we take another step toward the ultimate goal we have been building toward over our first four games and the last three years," Rouet said in a statement. "It will be a short week of preparation, but the team will be ready."

Prior to a 22-19 win in Christchurch, New Zealand, in May 2024, the Canadian women had lost all 17 previous meetings with the Black Ferns, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more.

The milestone win secured the Pacific Four Series title and moved the Canadian women to No. 2 in the world rankings behind England, replacing New Zealand and equalling their highest-ever position from November 2016. Canada had started the 2024 tournament at No. 4, but moved past France into No. 3 after beating Australia 33-14.

Canada and New Zealand drew 27-27 when they met in Pacific Four Series play in May this year, with the Black Ferns drawing even on an 83rd-minute try by Sylvia Brunt after Shoshanah Seumanutafa's 76th-minute try gave the Canadians a 27-22 lead.

New Zealand went on to win the 2025 Pacific Four Series title on points difference over Canada.

"We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that," Rouet said. "We have every reason to believe that we can win this game."

Canada leads the World Cup in carries with 622 and ranks second in offloads with 66.

Veteran flanker Karen Paquin, who leads the team with 57 tackles at the tournament, will earn her 50th cap for Canada. The 38-year-old from Quebec City is playing in her fourth World Cup.

Prop DaLeaka Menin, who is third on the team in tackles with 41, will earn her 68th cap to move into second place on Canada's all-time cap list for women behind lock Tyson Beukeboom (82 ahead of Friday).

Along with spots in the Women's Rugby World Cup final, the semifinals will have ramifications on the world rankings.

No. 2 Canada could drop to as low as fourth if they lose to New Zealand and France ends England's record 31-test winning run.

But, the Canadians could jump into the No. 1 spot if England loses by more than 15 points and Canada wins by more than 15 points in its semifinal. That scenario would also see new ranking lows for England (No. 3) and New Zealand (No. 4).

England, which last won the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2014 against Canada, has been No. 1 in the world rankings since November 2020. New Zealand are the six-time world champions.