A semi-final recap as England and Canada book their place in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals delivered rugby in its purest form: brutal, fast, unrelenting, skilful, and utterly compelling.
Sharp from the start
Canada opened the weekend in emphatic fashion at Ashton Gate, defeating the Black Ferns 34–19. Quiet confidence had lingered under Kévin Rouet ever since that historic day 444 days earlier, when they stunned the six-time world champions in the 2024 Pacific Four Series.
With everything on the line, it was Canada who struck first through halfback Justine Pelletier, and then three more times before Fijian-born tighthead prop Tanya Kalounivale finally broke the deadlock for New Zealand. At half-time, the scoreboard told a story few could have imagined: Canada four tries, Black Ferns just one.
It seemed a small act, yet it summed up Canada’s first half. Right on half-time, captain Alex Tessier kicked the ball into touch, smiled, and shrugged. The lead and momentum belonged to them, and there was no panic.
Canada has shown they can attack from anywhere, but against the Black Ferns, it was their defence that stood out most. They rushed off the line to disrupt New Zealand’s rhythm. The greater achievement was sustaining that pressure for 80 minutes. By half-time, they had completed 90% of their tackles and conceded zero penalties in the opening hour.
Calm, cool & Canadian
You could picture the contrasting half-time addresses. For Canada, the message was clear:
“Just keep it Canadian. That basically means continuing to be brave, continuing to play with the flair that we have, and sticking to the plan."
- Asia Hogan-Rochester
For the Black Ferns, urgency was the order. Ruby Tui put it bluntly:
“I’d speed up our rucks. I’d lower our penalty count. It’s 5–0, not good enough in a final. And the kicking battle: Canada are winning. I’d shorten our backfield cover.”
And to that, New Zealand did respond, crossing twice more through Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Braxton Sorenson-McGhee, while Ruahei Demant marked her 50th Test in black with a kicking masterclass. But it wasn’t enough. Canada’s accuracy carried them to just their second Rugby World Cup final, and the Black Ferns are left to contest for bronze.
Big moments in rugby aren’t flukes. They’re the accumulation of countless small moments, refined in the unseen. As Pelletier put it: “It’s three years of hustle in the dark and now we’re in the light.”
“It’s three years of hustle in the dark and now we’re in the light.”
Kildunne it again
With the final place in the decider on the line, it came down to the Red Roses and Les Bleues to see who would walk out at Twickenham.
France’s build-up had been far from ideal, hampered by suspensions and injuries, but they refused to fade. They matched England and stayed in touch for much of the contest, but the scoreboard at full-time read England 35 - France 17.
Ellie Kildunne made a welcome return after missing the Scotland quarter-final due to concussion. The 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year looked composed, sprinting 50 metres untouched to score inside the opening four minutes. France struck back through centre Nassira Konde, and at half-time the margin was as tight as expected: England 7, France 5.
After oranges, England shifted gears. Clinical best described their approach. Meg Jones and Hannah Botterman provided the spark, keeping the Red Roses firmly in control. Kildunne added a second and was named Player of the Match, though she was quick to credit her teammates.
France pushed the world’s number one side harder than the scoreline suggests, but it is England who earned the opportunity they craved. The Red Roses have given themselves the shot they dreamed of: a home Rugby World Cup final in front of their own supporters.
1 v 2
History might have pointed to another England – New Zealand final, but not this time. The story is different: it’s Canada, and they are no underdogs. Ranked second in the world, they’ve too often been overlooked.
England are giants of the women’s game. They are on a 32-match winning streak and have reached every World Cup final since 1994. The last time they lost was the 2022 Cup Final. Despite all their success, they’ve lifted the trophy only twice, in 1994 and 2014. That last title came against Canada, and now, 11 years later, the same opponent stands in their way.
Canada has walked their own road. While England has trailblazed with full-time contracts and the world-renowned Premier Women’s Rugby competition, Canada quite literally passed the hat around. Their $1 million Mission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025 crowdfunding campaign was a public plea to back a program chasing history, and their current standing is a nod to those who donated and believed.
It has the feel of a wildcard final, yet there’s no imbalance. England are seasoned in finals rugby, while Canada - 7s silver medallists at the Paris 2024 Olympics now stand a year later on the cusp of a Rugby World Cup title.
The final stage
Over six weeks, sixteen teams have been reduced to two. Now 82,000 fans will pack out Twickenham, and millions more will watch as one nation is crowned the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup champions. This is the game we’ve been waiting for.
England and Canada. The stage is yours.
Written by Sera Naiqama. Wallaroo, Super Rugby Women's player and pundit.
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