For the first time in Women’s Rugby World Cup history, Canada faces New Zealand without doubt or fear

It’s the semifinals in Bristol; Canada meets the world champion on Friday and title favorite England plays France on Saturday.
But history shows New Zealand tend to elevate their game in the latter stages of this competition, and Canada may find themselves facing a very different challenge to the one they met in the 2024 and 2025 Pacific 4 Series.

For Canada to turn this into a genuine contest, they must maintain the set-piece and breakdown efficiency that has brought them this far. They boast the highest lineout (89%) and scrum (100%) success rates of any remaining side, as well as the competition’s best ruck success rate (99%).

Both sides have enjoyed quick ball from their rucks. Canada have the competition’s quickest average attacking ruck speed (2.45s), just ahead of New Zealand, who have the second fastest rate (2.68s).