Canada says they're feeling confident ahead of their Rugby World Cup semifinal against the Black Ferns in Bristol.
Canada's head coach Kevin Rouet commented on the similarities between Canada's style of play and New Zealand's, saying both were fun to watch, fast, and athletic, and keen to play positively.
"I like those kinds of teams, I like the way we play, I like the way New Zealand plays so I think it can just be a good game of rugby when you are a positive team playing the game, so I'm excited for tomorrow."
Canada earned a spot in the semifinal after beating Australia 46-5.
"No-one's unbeatable and we're here to showcase our rugby," halfback Justine Pelletier said.
"We want to play rugby and we just want to have a good show so I'm excited about those counterattacks and turnovers, I think it's going to be exciting."
Rouet said Canada plans to play a fast-paced game but is aiming to bring a new energy this week with a couple of changes.
"But overall, we are who we are and they are who they are and I think it's going to be a fair battle of two teams."
He said the team that's the calmest and composed in the crucial moments will win.
Black Ferns back themselves
Black Ferns attack coach Tony Christie said he's also very confident in the Black Ferns' ability.
"We've said that right along that we'll need 32, not only 32, but we've talked about the 42 squad that we've got back home and I think you've seen with some injuries that we have the quality that have come in."
Christie said the main difference between the Black Ferns side that drew against Canada in May and the Black Ferns defending their World Cup title is their adaptability.
"We've always been a team that's been fast, physical and unpredictable but what we're seeing now is our ability to play multiple styles, our ability to go through teams, go over teams and go around so we're really proud with the adjustments we've made in our game."
He said an area of strength for Canada is their use of rolling mauls.
"We've worked really hard on it. We've got an exceptional coach with Dan Cron there, who's put a lot of effort in.
"We're showing that throughout Pac 4 (Pacific Four series) when we get our system right, we can defend anything that's thrown at us."
Christie said the team are trying to bring more discipline to the semifinal, particularly in the first 20 minutes, where last week South Africa dominated the world champions in their quarterfinal. New Zealand turned around their performance in the second half to claim a 46-17 win.
"We can't give Canada that advantage this week so it has been something we've focused on and the key message there is just trust our systems and we don't need anyone doing anything special in those moments."
Christie said the team have an advantage in performing well in high-pressure moments like World Cups.
New Zealand has won the Rugby World Cup six times and a win this year would make the team back to back to back champions.
Both countries also have benefitted from their success in Rugby Sevens, with New Zealand beating Canada in last year's Olympics final in Paris 19-12.
Canada flanker Caroline Crossley said occasions like that mean the side are also used to high-stakes games.
"We've played with those crowds and with that pressure... but also we've been playing with the 1-2-3 mentality with our 15s and sevens for, I guess, two or three years now and I think both bring elements of the game to the other side."
'Such a privilege'
Black Ferns halfback Risaleaana Pouri-Lane also said her experience on the Sevens world circuit has helped her prepare for games like the semi-final.
"I think the biggest one is how we perceive the occasion.
"It's obviously a semifinal, and we've talked a little bit around pressure and how we perceive it, and think the biggest thing or advice that I could give us that is such a privilege," she said.
"So many people are coming to watch us, and the opportunity that that brings, and just believing that, or knowing that we're all here for a reason, we've all got the abilities and the gift to be out there and perform the best that we can."
Tanya Kalounivale said the jersey presentation is a pre-game ritual the Ferns look forward to each week. She said the size of those in attendance in York where their tournament started was the size of a small conference room.
"Right now, in the semifinal, it's maybe three times the size of this room.
"That's the amount of support we have from our families that are coming over from New Zealand.
"That's one of the days in the week we look forward to as players to share our space with our family and share the moment, because it is a special moment.
"We're in the semifinal in a World Cup and it won't ever come again."
Pouri-Lane said the team have appreciated the support from family who have travelled to England and from fans, family and friends back home in Aotearoa.
"If there's one game to watch and get behind our girls, it is this game.
"It's not a crazy hour of the morning."
The game starts at 6am Saturday NZT.
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