The Black Ferns have crashed out of the Rugby World Cup in Bristol this morning after a 34-19 defeat to Canada which was all but sealed in the first half.
The Canadians, largely amateur players but ranked No.2 in the world behind England, scored five tries to three in total and blew away New Zealand in the opening half with four tries for a 24-7 lead at the break.
Marshalled by outstanding halfback Justine Pelletier, one of their try scorers, Canada were far better on both sides of the ball than their opposites and will face the winner of the other semifinal between England and France in the final next weekend at Twickenham.
Canada also showed greater discipline than New Zealand and won the penalty count 5-0 in the first half, although referee Aimee Barrett-Theron showed quite the restraint to warn Pelletier with a sinbinning, rather than penalising her, for a cynical offside obstruction when the Black Ferns launched a rare first-half attack.
If anything it was a sign of Canada’s greater rugby intelligence. They were far more street smart than the Black Ferns and brought a defensive line speed that their opposites, renowned for their attacking play, could not or would not match.
New Zealand’s lack of defensive intensity allowed the Canadians to quickly build momentum and they capitalised with tries for lock Sophie de Goede, Pelletier, wing Asia Hogan-Rochester and midfielder Florence Symonds.
New Zealand had responded via a try for prop Tanya Kalounivale to narrow the score to 17-7 but could not find another until almost midway through the second half when No.8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u crossed the line to make it 31-14.
Breakout star Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s try in the right corner, following a kick-pass by No.10 Ruahei Demant, gave the Black Ferns hope with 15 minutes remaining.
At 31-19, they were within striking distance, but a penalty from de Goede and good clock management from the Canadians closed the door on a comeback.
New Zealand couldn't win enough ball to feed a backline with the talents of Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Sorensen-McGee and credit must go to the intensity with which Canada played throughout.
There is no doubt that they missed the attacking and defensive ability of Jorja Miller, ruled out with a leg injury presumed to be a hamstring problem.
It was a miserable way for Demant to mark her 50th cap for New Zealand. Her kicking strategy in the second half was a factor in the Black Ferns’ response but she couldn’t quite get the balance right in the face of Canada’s rush defence.
It is the first time since 2014 that Canada have made the World Cup final and the most points they have scored against New Zealand.
Canada 34 (Justine Pelletier, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Sophie de Goede, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier tries; de Goede 2 cons, pen)
Black Ferns 19 (Tanya Kalounivale, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Braxton Sorensen-McGee tries; Renee Holmes con, Braxton Sorensen-McGee con)
Halftime: 24-7
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