'The first time we've been this worried about the Black Ferns in a semi-final'

No team owns Rugby World Cups like the Black Ferns, but with the semi-final stage set, just making the final in 2025 has never been more difficult.

That is the opinion of former Black Fern Chelsea Semple, who has tipped her hat to semi-final opponents Canada ahead of a massive weekend for women’s rugby. The Canadians have enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent seasons to become genuine title contenders at the tournament. They will enter the weekend’s Test having not lost to the Kiwis in two years.

The world No. 2-ranked team coming into the World Cup, Canada, who now outrank New Zealand, have brought a new level of competition to the world stage, says Semple.

“It’s probably, to be fair, the first time we’ve been this worried about the Black Ferns in a semi-final set-up,” she said on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav.

“Previously, in semi-finals, it’s still a massive game, but it’s, ‘Get the job done, and get on to the final’, because you know you’re probably going to be playing England in the final.

“Whereas this time, Canada, they’re the in-form team right now. We haven’t beaten them the last two times we’ve played them. It’s the first time it’s probably like, this is do or die this weekend.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

1

Wins

2

Average Points scored

31

24

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

0%

Semple admits she wasn’t sold on the Kiwi side’s form for much of the year, but as the tournament has progressed, some of that championship pedigree that has seen them claim six world titles has started to show.

“I think they’ve grown each game, even from the previous games in PacFour,” Semple said. “I’ll be really honest, I wasn’t convinced until the game against Ireland that we had the full package to be able to take on a team like England, who have played together so often and are just on top of their game again.

“But in the last few weeks, we’ve just seen glimpses of what the Black Ferns can do that no other team can do, and that’s show their flair, their razzle. They’ve just got individuals that are a cut above everyone else in the tournament.

“So just starting to see those players fire, to see those combinations build, I think we’re building really nicely towards being able to deliver.”

When previewing the matchup, Semple said she can’t see the Black Ferns’ winless run against the Canadians being extended, citing experience and firepower as reasons to back her former team. A prediction was made for the game to come down to a single score.

When assessing the Canadian strengths, the former world champion was asked whether the two teams had contrasting styles.

“I wouldn’t say it’s contrasting, but the difference is they’re a very settled team. So they know what they’re doing. Don’t expect to see anything off the cuff; they know what they’re doing, they’ve played with each other before.

“Their kicking game is excellent; right up there with England. England and Canada have the best kicking games. They’re very sure of what they’re doing there. So, I think we can expect to see a lot of variance in their kicking game, little chips through by (Alex) Tessier, and just keeping us and our back three really honest.

“They’re physical and they just don’t make many mistakes. We’re going to have to be really clinical this weekend.”