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‘We have a job to do’: Canada 80 minutes from creating history
By Martyn Thomas at Ashton Gate, Bristol
Having watched his side storm past New Zealand, Canada head coach Kevin Rouet urged his players to “finish the job” in next Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final.
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Canada blew the Black Ferns away at Ashton Gate on Friday night, running in four tries in a dominant first half and ultimately seeing out a 34-19 triumph in Bristol.
Victory sealed their place in a second World Cup final, 11 years after they lost to England in Paris, and maintained their quest for a first global title.
“I’m excited already. I said to the girls to stop crying because we have a job to do in eight days. That’s the mindset. We need to finish the job and be ready in eight days,” Rouet told reporters.
“I felt it already one and a half years ago that we could do something and I am happy we are one game away from achieving what we want.
“I am excited for next weekend. I want it to be next weekend now.”
Canada have not shied away from the fact they are in England to win the World Cup and used it as their mission statement to raise CAN$1 million to boost their funding ahead of the tournament.
Since losing narrowly to England in the World Cup semi-finals in New Zealand three years ago, the North Americans have grown in belief.
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Canada lifted the Pacific Four Series title in 2024, were second to New Zealand on points difference this year and are now unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Black Ferns.
Alex Tessier scored her side’s crucial fifth try early in the second half and the Canada captain suggested her team is confident they can go all the way at Twickenham.
“That’s the plan,” Tessier said. “We still believe. We are going to be ready for next weekend, we are super excited, that was a huge boost in confidence today and we are going to be ready for next Saturday.”
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On the level of Canada’s performance in the opening quarter, Tessier added: “That’s exactly where we are supposed to be.
“That was the goal, one step at a time. Now we will focus on the final next weekend.”
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