Canada and England are preparing to meet in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday after they won their semi-finals in Bristol at the weekend.
On Friday evening, Canada made a lightning-quick start to their last four match with reigning champions New Zealand, needing only 10 minutes to rack up a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from Justine Pelletier, later named player of the match, and Asia Hogan-Rochester. When Florence Symonds then dotted down shortly before the 25-minute mark, things looked ominous for six-time champions New Zealand.
The Black Ferns did hit back through Tanya Kalounivale, but Sophie de Goede then burst through midfield to score under the posts and give her side a 24-7 lead at half-time.
Canada started the second half as they did the first, with skipper Alex Tessier crashing over from close range within three minutes of the break. Things settled down somewhat from there, but it looked like there was life in the semi-final when Liana Mikaele-Tu’u powered her way over before Braxton Sorensen-McGee got on the end of a cross-field kick to make it 31-19.
But, with just shy of 10 minutes remaining, Canada were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and De Goede stepped up to put the result to bed with a successful shot at goal that secured a 34-19 victory in front of the 24,392 in attendance.
On Saturday afternoon, England found themselves in a huge battle at a sold-out Ashton Gate versus France.
Lightning in defence and off-loading wherever possible, France pressurised England from the first whistle, but a single score from centre Nassira Konde was scant first half reward for them.
Instead, it was England who snuck into the break 7-5 ahead. That they did have an advantage was largely thanks to injury returnees Ellie Kildunne, later named player of the match, and Hannah Botterman. The former was making metres galore and went over for a brilliant score. The score owed plenty to Botterman for that try, however, with her soft hands illustrating her range of skills.
Three turnovers and three scrum penalties from Botterman helped keep England in it and, for much of the second-half, it was a similar story. The Red Roses started sharply and, after having one score scratched off for a forward pass, the famed rolling maul struck.
But still France came. Having battered away at England’s line, they shifted it wide and late replacement wing Kelly Arbey crossed to make it a two-point game with 27 minutes left.
With nerves jangling, England then showed why they are the world number one side. First Abbie Ward finished off a fine team move, and then Kildunne struck the decisive blow, weaving in from 40 metres-plus.
There was still time for Konde to snatch a second, but England knew the job was done, with Meg Jones putting the gloss on things in the final minute as it finished 35-17.
What’s to come…
New Zealand and France will meet at 12.30pm on Saturday at Twickenham in the bronze medal match before Canada and England fight it out in the main event at 4pm.
- World Rugby has revealed the 2025 nominees for two of the game’s most prestigious honours, the Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC and the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
- The Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership is now taking a break until October 4 with Stirling County unbeaten and top after the games at the weekend.
Canada and England are pictured celebrating during their semi-finals – thanks to World Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.