New Zealand and Canada will face off this evening in Ashton Gate as both nations fight to secure a spot in the finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Both nations are thus-far undefeated in the tournament, having both finished top of their respective pools, but one team will have to leave with their heads hung low tonight.
It is sure to be an electric 80 minutes, as the two nations are incredibly well matched – their last game back in May ended with a 27 – 27 draw, so it could truly go either way in the chaos and adrenaline of a packed Ashton Gate Stadium.
The Sporting News is following the Team A vs. Team B match live, providing score updates and commentary
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New Zealand vs. Canada score
| Score | Tries (conversion) | Penalties | |
| New Zealand | 7 | Kalounivale 25′ (Holmes) | |
| Canada | 17 | Pelletier 7′ (De Goede), Hogan-Rochester 10′, Symonds ’23 |
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol (UK)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Starting XVs:
New Zealand: 15. Holmes, 14. Sorensen-McGee, 13. Waaka, 12. Brunt, 11. Woodman-Wycliffe, 10. Demant, 9. Pouri-Lane; 1. Viliko, 2. Ponsonby, 3. Kalounivale, 4. Roos, 5. Bremner, 6. Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Tukuafu, 8. Olsen-Baker
Canada: 15. Schell, 14. Corrigan, 13. Symonds, 12. Tessier, 11. Hogan-Rochester, 10. Perry, 9. Pelletier; 1. Hunt, 2. Tuttosi, 3. Menin, 4. De Goede, 5. O’Donnell, 6. Crossley, 7. Paquin, 8. Forteza
MORE: Full schedule, bracket, results from Women’s Rugby World Cup
New Zealand vs. Canada live updates, highlights, and commentary
17:30 – With 90 minutes to go until kick-off, Ashton Gate is filling up as black and red shirts flock in, and the girls get a roaring welcome as their coaches pull up to the venue.
18:30 – 30 minutes until the action gets going. The two nations warm up in front of a vibrant, rapidly growing crowd.
19:01 – After the Black Ferns perform their pre-match Haka, led by Ayesha Leti-Iiga, the whistle goes. The first semi-final of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is officially underway.
7′: Try! Canada get the first points of the semi-final after captain Alex Tessier claims the ball midair before feeding it to Pelletier to score. De Goede converts. A strong start from the Maple Leafs.
10′: The game has barely reset before Canada score again, this time by Hogan-Rochester.
23′: After a few attempts, Canada feed the ball left for Symonds to sprint over the line and claim Canada’s third try of the match, increasing their lead to 17. No conversion for De Goede again as the ball hits the posts.
25′: New Zealand won’t give up a spot in the final that easily, and finally hit back with a try of their own from Kalounivale after Ponsonby makes a great break through the Canadian defence. Holmes converts.
New Zealand vs. Canada kick off time
The semifinal match kicks off in Bristol, UK at 7 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Sep. 19 | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Sep. 19 | 11:00 a.m. PT |
| UK | Fri, Sep. 19 | 7:00 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Sep. 20 | 4:00 a.m. AEST |
New Zealand vs. Canada lineups, team news
Reigning world champions New Zealand will be looking to defend their title for the third time in a row, bringing out their most established and impressive Black Ferns tomorrow night.
Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, the highest try-scorer in Women’s World Cup history, is at left wing, with young superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee taking up position on the right.
Sylvia Brunt has worked her way into the starting XV after not making the cut for the quarter-finals, replacing Theresa Setefano who is on the bench.
Maiakawanakualani Roos and Chelsea Bremner are bringing out their lock pair once more, a well-oiled machine coupled with flankers Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kennedy Tukuafa.
Adding to the occasion, co-captain Ruahei Demant will also be celebrating her 50th cap at flyhalf.
New Zealand starting XV: 15. Holmes, 14. Sorensen-McGee, 13. Waaka, 12. Brunt, 11. Woodman-Wycliffe, 10. Demant (c), 9. Pouri-Lane; 1. Viliko, 2. Ponsonby, 3. Kalounivale, 4. Roos, 5. A. Bremner, 6. Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Tukuafu (c), 8. Olsen-Baker
Replacements: 16. Lolohea, 17. Henwood, 18. Rule, 19. C. Brenmer, 20. Sae, 21. Joseph, 22. Setefano, 23. Leti-Iiga
Full New Zealand squad
Forwards: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Vici-Rose Green, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Atlanta Lolohea, Veisini Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakualani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kennedy Tukuafu, Chryss Viliko
Backs: Kelly Brazier, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Maia Joseph, Ayesha Leti-Iiga, Risi Pouri-Lane, Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wycliffe
Canada, undefeated thus far in the competition and ranked higher than New Zealand in the world rankings, will be out for blood this evening as the prospect of their first ever World Cup trophy becomes more and more reachable.
Julia Schell, the top try scorer of the entire tournament, is a familiar sight taking up the rear at fullback after being a key game driver for Canada throughout their campaign.
All of the try scorers from the quarterfinal against Australia are reappearing in the starting lineup for this match, as Alysha Corrigan, McKinley Hunt, Fabiola Forteza, Karen Paquin and Asia Hogan-Rochester all feature.
Canadian rugby royalty Sophie de Goede is also back at number four, with her golden boot and ability to effortlessly shift around the pitch and positions.
Canada starting XV: 15. Schell, 14. Corrigan, 13. Symonds, 12. Tessier (c), 11. Hogan-Rochester, 10. Perry, 9. Pelletier; 1. Hunt, 2. Tuttosi, 3. Menin, 4. De Goede, 5. O’Donnell, 6. Crossley, 7. Paquin, 8. Forteza
Replacements: 16. Boag, 17. Kassil, 18. DeMerchant, 19. Beukeboom, 20. Royer, 21. Senft, 22. Apps, 23. Seumanutafa
Full Canada squad
Forwards: Tyson Beukeboom, Gillian Boag, Caroline Crossley, Sophie de Goede, Olivia DeMerchant, Fabiola Forteza, McKinley Hunt, Brittany Kassil, Taylor McKnight, DaLeaka Menin, Maya Montiel, Mikiela Nelson, Courtney O’Donnell, Julia Omokhuale, Karen Paquin, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Rachel Smith, Emily Tuttosi
Backs: Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan, Paige Farries, Claire Gallagher, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Sarah Maude-Lachance, Justine Pelletier, Taylor Perry, Julia Schell, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier
Where to watch Women’s Rugby World Cup
USA
Free-to-air channel: CBS, CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+
The New Zealand vs. Canada match from the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Fubo and Paramount+. The game will be available on CBS and CBS Sports Network in the United States.
Canada
Free-to-air channel: TSN 1, TSN 3
Live stream: Amazon Prime via TSN+
The New Zealand vs. Canada match from the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Amazon Prime via TSN+. The game will be available on TSN 1 and TSN 3 in Canada.
