Player comparisons: Canada dismantle Black Ferns at Ashton Gate

Canada secured their place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final with a statement 34–19 dismantling of New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Ashton Gate in Bristol.

From the opening whistle, Canada set the tone. Within seven minutes, they cracked the Black Ferns’ defence around the breakdown, with relentless forward carries creating space for scrumhalf Justine Pelletier to score the opener.

That moment proved emblematic of the night. At the breakdown, Canada swarmed New Zealand with one-off carriers and sharp interplay. This constant pressure narrowed the Kiwi defensive line, leaving mismatches in the wide channels. Four tries in the first half told the story, as Canada stormed to a commanding 24–7 lead at the break.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

The second half began as the first had: with a Canadian strike. Captain Alex Tessier finished off another bruising sequence from her pack to push the lead further. At 29–7, the deficit looked insurmountable.

To their credit, the Black Ferns responded. Playing with a freedom absent in the opening 50 minutes, their attack finally clicked. Two quick tries brought hope of a comeback. But Canada steadied, reverting to the formula that had carried them: kicking for territory, swarming the breakdown, and forcing penalties. A crucial three-pointer in the 73rd minute effectively ended the contest.

The Black Ferns never stopped attacking, but Canada’s composure and defensive organisation meant the defending champions bowed out short of the final.

Here’s how the head-to-head battles played out across the park.

Front Row – Advantage New Zealand
If there was one area the Black Ferns could claim as theirs, it was up front. The trio of Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby and Tanya Kalounivale carried hard, scrummaged well, and gave their side a foothold.

At set piece, they pressured Canada on their own feed and disrupted clean launches. With ball in hand, they were among New Zealand’s most effective weapons. Ponsonby in particular impressed, her 26th-minute break setting up Kalounivale for New Zealand’s first try.

Statistically, Ponsonby was immense: nine carries for 38 metres, plus a team-high 21 tackles, including two dominant hits. Kalounivale and Viliko combined for 26 tackles of their own, underlining the front row’s effort in a losing cause.

Second Row – Advantage Canada
Here was the defining difference. Sophie de Goede and Courtney O’Donnell produced all-time performances.

De Goede’s stat line was absurd: 17 carries for 74 metres, two line breaks, three defenders beaten, 21 tackles, 10 lineouts secured, and a try. Her dominance at both set piece and open play was the heartbeat of Canada’s win. At just 26, she’s now firmly in the frame for World Player of the Year.

O’Donnell complemented her perfectly, locking down New Zealand’s lineout and providing relentless defensive work. Together, they tilted the contest in Canada’s favour and never let it swing back.

Back Row – Draw
Two outstanding back rows went punch-for-punch all evening in front of over 24,000 fans at Ashton Gate.

For New Zealand, number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker was colossal. She carried 34 times for 150 metres, beat 10 defenders, made two line breaks, and added 14 tackles. She was the Black Ferns’ standout performer, single-handedly dragging them into contention. Flankers Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kennedy Tufuafu added 29 tackles combined, with Tu’u scoring the try that briefly reignited belief.

But Canada’s trio matched them blow for blow. Caroline Crossley, Karen Paquin and Fabiola Forteza combined for an extraordinary 59 tackles and 10 turnovers. Their ferocity at the breakdown denied New Zealand any rhythm and starved their playmakers of clean ball. While not as eye-catching with ball in hand, their defensive steel was the platform for everything Canada achieved.

Halfbacks – Advantage Canada
Few areas were as decisive as the battle at nine and ten, where Justine Pelletier and Taylor Perry controlled the game with authority.

Their kicking game consistently found grass behind the Black Ferns, forcing their back three to scramble in a way unseen at any stage throughout the World Cup. From the base of the ruck, Pelletier’s box-kicks were contestable and accurate, allowing her back three to harass the Black Ferns in the air.

In open pla,y Perry’s distribution gave Canada the width to stretch New Zealand’s defence. This ability to get to the fringes rapidly saw the Canadians chew up meters in a flash.

Individual Pelletier was electric with ball in hand. Sniping around the ruck, linked support runners, and offloaded brilliantly. Perry’s calmness under pressure ensured Canada’s attack flowed, particularly when targeting New Zealand’s defensive linchpin Stacey Waaka.

Centres – Advantage Canada
Physically and tactically, Tessier and Florence Symonds shut down New Zealand’s midfield.

They targeted Ruahei Demant relentlessly, forcing her deep and limiting her ability to generate front-foot ball for those around her. Their defensive line never disconnected, and Symonds’ timing in the tackle stifled momentum whenever New Zealand threatened to go wide.

Offensively, both centres made their mark with a try apiece. Tessier’s tactical kicking also played a key role in keeping Canada in prime attacking positions, with touch-finders regularly pinning the Black Ferns back inside their own 22.

Back Three – Advantage Canada
Comprehensively shutting down the Black Ferns’ normally exceptional kicking game, the Canadian back three had themselves a day.

Returning kicks with aplomb, both with the boot and in hand, the North Americans exposed the fractured backfield of their rivals.

At the heart of the counterattacks was Julia Schell, who continually targeted Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s wing with up-and-unders, sniping runs and clever short chip kicks.

Off strike plays, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan continually found spaces on the edge. Utilising their pace to find soft shoulders, the pair physically outflanked their opposite numbers.

Defensively, the birds-eye view from Ashton Gate’s press tribune saw a well-oiled machine. Constantly communicating, the Canadian backfield covered every blade of grass, suffocating the life out of New Zealand’s kicking game.