At the end of the superb Canadian victory over New Zealanders (34-19), discover what caught the attention of our special envoy to Bristol.
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Second historic final for Canadian women
We cannot decently talk about a feat. Canada has become the second world nation to New Zealand, thanks to two excellent results among the Black Ferns: victory 22-19 in Christchurch in 2024 and a 27-27 draw, likely, this year still in Christchurch. This Friday demonstration in Bristol (34-19) is ultimately in the rest of the logic of things. The Canadian women were much more effective, applied and decisive game entry (two superb trials in 10 minutes). Fourth three years ago in New Zealand after losing the small final against the Blue, they gave themselves-in the most beautiful way-the right to compete once again a World Cup after that of 2014, lost 21-9 against England. Without making noise, less media than the other nations of the last square, the North Americans are now part of the Great Court. It remains to validate all this by a first world title. It will be next Saturday against England, a big favorite of the other semi-final, or France, who wants to create the feat.
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Canada, wind show from northern
The Blacks Ferns dominated the oval planet so much that seeing them take the water like this looked like something unreal. It must be said that in front, the Canadian women assured the show: an ultra-dynamic game, movement and rhythm and, above all, magnificent tests, like the second inscribed by Asia Hogan-Crusher, after a superb jigsaw of 20 meters from the Opener Taylor Perry (11th). Great art. Tests as beautiful as each other. The most impressive being the rhythm and the intensity that have managed to print and keep the Canadian women. Black magic was on the side of the teammates of Captain Alex Tessier. Hallucinating statistics: Canada conceded its first penalty in the 60th minute (only 6 in all)! A machine that completely muzzled the double reigning world champions.
Justine Pelletier, attack dynamite
If the Canadian women shone with their offensive, rhythmic and ultra-effective rugby, they owe it partly to their half of melee Justine Pelletier, who was in all the right shots. Accelerating the game always wisely behind a domineering pack. The French -speaking player of the Bordeaux stadium, triple reigning French champion, was the great animator of the evening (69 m won in 12 races, 48 balloons played), launching hostilities from the 8th minute with a first try. She also had a great inspiration, with this superb pass after contact which opened the space for the test of Sophie de Goede (35th). A real fish for the Black Frens, elected player of the match. Certainly the guide of this flamboyant Canada with its unleashed attack line, carried by the flashes of the rear Julia Schell (104 m won) and the Ailière Asia Hogan-Crécster (88 m). Untenable.
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Georgia Ponsonby cut everything
The New Zealand heel was at the heart of the fight. Trying to stop these Canadian waves which were swapped from all sides. Georgia Ponsonby did not save himself until the 66th minute, tirelessly placing all the players who passed in his area (21 tackles, including 17 in the first half!). She also offered herself in the game and regularly put her team in the advance (38 m won in 9 races). A tour de force of the number 2 of the Black Ferns which was one of the few to compete with the North American. Too alone to prevent the sinking of New Zealand in the semi-finals.
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Black Ferns outdated
Nation queen of female rugby, with six titles in nine editions, New Zealand appeared out of the blow, exceeded and regularly without solution to the Canadian women. Some rare dazzling, but often spoiled by handmates or bad choices, an unusual waste that was fatal to them this Friday. A lack of crying edge, too. But there had been forefoot signs. During this World Cup, the Black Ferns were indeed less sovereign, less dominant than in the past. Like these 18 turnovers conceded against the Japanese or this 10-10 score at half-time against the modest South African people. So many signs of a decline, which broke out at Ashton Gate in Bristol.
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New Zealand’s too late awakening
It is a classic in rugby: when a team dominates outrageously, it inevitably experiences a moment of relaxation. This is what happened again this Friday at the time of play. While they were carried out 31-7 since the 44th minute, the New Zealanders found punch and the going to mark two tests by Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (56th) and Braxton Sorensen-McGee (65th) to bring the score to 31-19. And completely relaunch the suspense in this meeting hitherto one-way. A simple clarity, ultimately, which did not last. The Canadian women, stunned, put their hands on the ball to definitively seal their qualification for the final.
Woodman-Wickliffe remained silent
The female rugby icon will not win a third world title, after those in 2017 and 2021. This Friday, when his team was overwhelmed from all sides by raging Canadians, Portia Woodman -Wickliffe – who experienced glory at 7 and XV – tried a few strokes, tried to ring the revolt. In vain, the recordwoman of the World Cup tests (22) remained silent on the lawn of the Ashton Gate. But the “Jonah Lomu Female” had the merit of not giving up, with its 36 meters gained ball in 5 races. Insufficient, however, in the face of the Canadian collective breathtaking.
