Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Black Ferns v Canada - Rugby World Cup semi-final
Kick-off: 6am Saturday 20 September NZT
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
We've reached the business end of the Women's Rugby World Cup and the defending champion Black Ferns have a tough task ahead of them. After some very one-sided pool matches and an equally mismatched quarter-final, the tournament really starts now as they face a Canadian side that has drawn and beaten them in their last two meetings.
This is a massive fixture for Allan Bunting's side, they have had a patchy last couple of years but can wipe the slate clean if they make next weekend's final.
Black Ferns head coach Allan Bunting. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Team lists
Canada: 1. McKinley Hunt, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. DaLeaka Menin, 4. Sophie de Goede, 5. Courtney O'Donnell, 6. Caroline Crossley, 7. Karen Paquin, 8. Fabiola Forteza, 9. Justine Pelletier, 10. Taylor Perry, 11. Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12. Alexandra Tessier (c), 13. Florence Symonds, 14. Alysha Corrigan, 15. Julia Schell
Bench: 16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Olivia DeMerchant, 19. Tyson Beukeboom, 20. Laetitia Royer, 21. Gabrielle Senft, 22. Olivia Apps, 23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Alana Bremner, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (cc), 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, 10. Ruahei Demant (cc), 11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15. Renee Holmes
Bench: 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
Canada selections
Shoshanah Seumanutafa of Canada. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Coach Kevin Rouet has made no changes to his side that beat Australia last weekend in their quarter-final. They are led by second five Alex Tessier, while veteran Sophie de Goede has shifted to lock from her previous spot at number eight. De Goede will once again handle the goal kicking. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, who played for the Chiefs Manawa in this year's Super Rugby Aupiki, comes off the bench to cover the outside backs.
Black Ferns selections
Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) of New Zealand. New Zealand Black Ferns v Ireland Women, 2024 WXV1 women’s rugby union match at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on Sunday 29 September 2024. Photo: Paul Yates / www.photosport.nz Photo: Paul Yates / www.photosport.nz
The big news is that Jorja Miller is out, supposedly injured but with no confirmation on what that injury actually is. Laura Bayfield is in the same mysterious boat, so that means Kennedy Tukuafu starts at openside and Chelsea Bremner comes onto the bench. A lot will depend on how often Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Stacey Waaka get the ball though, as they are the Black Ferns' main strike weapons.
Key stats
Ruahei Demant of New Zealand Black Ferns. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Co-captain Ruahei Demant will play her 50th test match. She would become just the third Black Fern to reach the milestone, after Kendra Cocksedge and Fiao'o Fa'amausili.
Canada's best result at a World Cup was beaten finalist in 2014, where they lost to champions England.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee currently leads the World Cup points standings, she has 52 with eight tries.
What they're saying
"I think they have a positive energy. Some of them were out there (in New Zealand) for the last World Cup, the inertia is positive, the belief is there. But we are very mindful of New Zealand at World Cup time…they show up." - Canada coach Kevin Rouet.
"They're a strong set-piece team, and one of the areas of the game that's really grown since the first year that I was here is their kicking game. They're pretty good around the ruck, they're pretty good at slowing the ball down and getting quick ball - but so are we." - Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting.
The last time they met
Black Ferns 27 - 27 Canada
The Black Ferns were staring down the barrel of a second defeat at home to Canada in two seasons, before a late Syvia Brunt try salvaged a draw. The Canadians were definitely the ones to walk away feeling more disappointed after they'd dominated large portions of the game and defended for 20 phases on their line before Brunt scored.
What's going to happen
These two sides have had a recent history of punch and counterpunch style games, so really it's going to come down to who is left standing and can stack a couple of tries in a row. So that's why possession is going to be so key and it's something the Canadians have been slightly better at of late.
However, the undeniable firepower the Black Ferns possess out wide only needs one decent pass to send them on their way and the key will be making sure their set piece and carry-clean game can give them that. Make no mistake: this is a monumental challenge for the Black Ferns if they want to defend their World Cup title.
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