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‘We’re not going to give up’ – Canada aim to return stronger in 2029
By Joe Harvey reporting from Twickenham
In the wake of their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final defeat to England, Canada have promised to come back stronger in the future.
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Coming into their winner-takes-all matchup with the Red Roses at Allianz Stadium, the North Americans were the tournament’s form team and were riding the high of a mesmeric victory over the Black Ferns.
Undone 33-13 by the world’s top ranked side, it was a heart-wrenching day at the office for all-time Canada appearance maker Tyson Beukeboom.
Also a veteran of the 2014 squad that lost out to England in Paris, the 34-year-old believes that there is more to honour than mourn about her team, who reached the last two with the help of crowdfunding.
“It sucks to lose,” Beukeboom said. “Nobody likes to lose to England, especially.
“It definitely cuts deep but we have so much to be proud of. We came up short in the last game, but we’re also second-best team in the world.
“We have everything to be proud of and everything to celebrate. We’re always going to want more until we’re at the top; that’s one of those strengths of our programme, until we’re there, we’re not going to give up.”
When Hollie Davidson’s full-time whistle blew for full-time the Canadian players reacted in different ways.
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Some fell to the floor. Others embraced in floods of tears. There were those that looked into blank space. And few consoled their teammates.
Eventually the team regrouped on the field in a huddle. Players had their say on what has been a remarkable campaign for the North Americans and whipped up strong support an ocean away.
Kévin Rouet, Canada’s head coach, led the majority of that conversation and reiterated those words of achievement to his squad.
“He reiterated that we are proud of what we’ve done this campaign,” DaLeaka Menin said.
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“It’s amazing, from a Canadian perspective, the support we’ve gained and the view on rugby that it has brought. We’ve inspired a few people along the way, even if they’re not Canadian.
“We are trying to create a type of rugby that’s a little bit different than some other teams and countries play, and that’s exciting.
“Hopefully, this is only the start of that journey, and we’ve at least earned a place as a team that deserves the respect. We are here at the forefront of rugby, not sitting behind.”
The nature of any World Cup campaign is that there will be a changing of the guard at the end of any team’s campaign.
But while some will have ended their international careers on Saturday afternoon and others will do so in the future, plenty more will still be present in four years’ time when the Women’s Rugby World Cup hits Australian shores.
Even stood in Allianz Stadium just an hour after experiencing the heartbreak of a World Cup final loss, there was a bullishness about what the next 96 months could have in store
“The amount of resilience, perseverance and determination we’ve shown is astounding, and we have world-class players,” Beukeboom said.
“They can hold their heads high and look forward to the next one and be hungry for more. Hold on to that feeling, that hunger, the need for more, but also be incredibly proud.”
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