Black Ferns remain undefeated in the Pacific Four Series on historic night for Canada Rugby

After travelling more than 9,500 miles from Brisbane to Ottawa, New Zealand picked up an impressive victory over Canada in the third round of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series at TD Place Stadium.

The defending Pacific Four Series champions New Zealand, who qualified for WXV 1 with victory, played the role of spoilers on an historic night for Canadian rugby as more than 10,000 fans attended for the largest ever crowd in Canadian rugby history for a women’s Test match.

It was a dream start for the visitors as hooker Luka Connor touched down in the opening two minutes to silence the fervent and record-breaking crowd in the nation's capital. After the conversion by Renee Holmes, the Black Ferns enjoyed an early 7-0 lead.

Just moments later, the home fans thought they could celebrate their first try of the match when flanker Fabiola Forteza made an exciting 30-metre line-break, however, Holmes and winger Katelyn Vahaakolo converged on Forteza to hold her up over the try-line to prevent the score.

World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year 2022 Ruahei Demant went through Canada’s defence untouched to score her side’s second try under the posts in the 14th minute after sustained pressure inside Canada’s 22.

Winger Mererangi Paul added the third try four minutes later after a brilliant chip kick in the midfield by Demant was gathered by Mastercard Player of the Match Amy du Plessis, and spun through the hands to set up the try and outpace the final defender.

New Zealand controlled 70 per cent of the possession in the opening 20 minutes, taking a 21-0 lead into the first water break. However, the momentum would shift in favour of Canada before the half-time whistle.

Captain Sophie de Goede took a quick tap from a penalty deep inside New Zealand territory, and proceeded to carry four defenders over the whitewash to score her team’s opening try. The number eight added the extra two points to bring the score to 21-7.

Forteza would not be denied a second time before the half-time whistle to score Canada’s second try after a brilliant 40-metre driving maul from the Canadian forwards. Tyson Beukeboom broke free and found her team-mate on the inside before she scampered the last metres to score. After another conversion from De Goede, the score at half-time was 21-14 to New Zealand.

The visitors opened the second half with their bonus-point try by outside-centre Du Plessis after a brilliant snipe at the breakdown by scrum-half Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu. The home side, however, would respond through Canada’s third try by loosehead prop Olivia DeMerchant after nearly a dozen pick-and-go attempts on the Black Ferns’ try-line.

At many points throughout the match, the Canadian backline struggled to contain their opponent's firepower when kicking away possession and Paul capitalised on an errant kick in the 57th minute to dot down her second try of the match as the visitors continued to pull away after every Canadian score.

In the final 20 minutes of the match the Black Ferns pulled away with further tries from Holmes, Du Plessis and one from replacement winger Kelsey Teneti to secure the 52-21 win to remain undefeated in the Pacific Four Series.

Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Simon said: “We’re just trying to be innovative. It’s an incredible group of women and we’re just trying to build each week. We knew Canada was going to be a class outfit, especially with a record crowd which is not only incredible for Canadian rugby but women’s rugby as well."

Despite the loss, Canadian captain De Goede was pleased with her team’s performance in a record night: “I’m really proud of the way that we fought back, but frustrated that we had to fight back. We put ourselves in some sticky situations and we’ve had some learnings, but what an incredible day for Canadian rugby regardless of the scoreline.

"It means the world to us. Rugby in Canada is as strong as it’s ever been and we’re just really glad to be a part of it and we’re really grateful for the communities we’re a part of.”