Canada Fall to 3rd in World Ranking with Loss to NZ: Video Highlights
Canada were outplayed on the day by the team that took over their #2 ranking, NZ. NZ rise to 2nd and Canada drop to 3rd. Canada were ahead at the half 14-10 but were completely outplayed in the second half. Two intercept tries by NZ in the last quarter highlighted the lack of imagination in Canada’s attack and inability to adapt to the NZ defensive strategy. NZ threw their outside defenders up fast and Canada kept trying to spread it wide without using any inside runners. Add in the advantage that NZ had at the breakdown, where slow Canadian support and isolated runners were punished with multiple turnovers, and it was a 26-0 2nd half in favour of NZ.
It will be interesting to see what adjustments coach Kevin Rouet makes against USA both in strategy and personnel. USA defeated Australia 33-12. The Canada v USA match takes place on Friday, April 24th at 5:30pm PT.
from Rugby Canada
For a second straight week, weather disrupted match day for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. Severe weather and tornado warnings in Kansas City, Missouri delayed their second match of the 2026 Pacific Four Series against the New Zealand Black Ferns by nearly three hours.
Once the rematch of the 2025 Rugby World Cup semifinal finally got underway at CPKC Stadium, the rain had stopped, but both teams were still forced to contend with high winds and a slick field. Despite leading 14–5 after the opening 40 minutes, Canada ultimately fell to New Zealand by a final score of 36–14. The Black Ferns’ victory means they will overtake Canada in the World Rugby rankings for second place, pushing Canada down to third.
“We didn’t show our best product today and that’s on us,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “We just came back together as a team, but we have to find our way. It was very individual on the pitch today; we weren’t connected enough. We just need more time together as a team to practice together and play together.”
First Half
Canada and New Zealand began scoreless through the first 10 minutes as both sides exchanged possession amid penalties and handling errors while adjusting to windy conditions following a heavy bout of rain before the game kicked off.
New Zealand’s first quality scoring chance came in the 11th minute, but strong defensive pressure from Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester forced a missed pass to an unmarked Black Ferns winger. Canada relied on captain Alex Tessier’s boot to relieve pressure early on, while their defense held firm through sustained New Zealand attacks.
Canada opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Julia Omokhuale blocked a kick deep in New Zealand territory. Quick ball movement out to the wing allowed Hogan-Rochester to finish, with Claire Gallagher converting from a difficult angle for a 7–0 lead.
Following a yellow card to Brittany Kassil in the 27th minute, New Zealand responded with a try out wide, but a missed conversion left Canada ahead 7–5.
Late in the half, a 50–22 kick from Gallagher set up an attacking lineout for Canada. After repeated infringements by New Zealand at the maul, a penalty try was awarded, extending Canada’s lead to 14-5 heading into halftime.
Second Half
New Zealand began the second half with a yellow card, but Canada was unable to capitalize. A promising break created by Tessier put Omokhuale into space, though she was brought down just short of the try line, and possession was later turned over, leaving the score at 14–5.
New Zealand responded in the 53rd minute with their second try, narrowing the deficit to 14–10 after another missed conversion. Momentum continued to shift in the 60th minute when Canada conceded a penalty in their own 22. A few phases later, the Ferns drove the ball over the line for their third score. Canada initially appeared to have held the ball up, but video review overturned the call and awarded the try. The successful conversion then gave New Zealand their first lead at 17–14.
The Black Ferns extended their advantage shortly after, capitalizing on a fortunate bounce to score again in the 63rd minute. Further pressure led to an interception try following a misplaced Canadian pass near their own line, pushing the score to 31–14.
A late try sealed the result, with New Zealand recording 31 unanswered second-half points to secure a 36–14 victory.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Asia Hogan-Rochester (22’), Penalty Try (39’)
Conversions: Claire Gallagher (1)
A WORD FROM CAPTAIN ALEX TESSIER
“We didn’t take care of it [the breakdown],” said Tessier. “And because we didn’t take care of it the game got more and more chaotic around the ruck and then they just kept applying pressure. Sadly, we weren’t able to reverse that pressure and that’s on us.”
“Coming in and starting the game by installing our tempo and our rhythm was the idea. We did create some stuff and enter their 22-meter, but we didn’t convert points which made the first half harder than it should have. We did come out strong so that’s something we can build on.”
CANADIAN MILESTONES
Caledon, Ontario’s Lizzie Gibson earned her first international cap for Canada after coming off the bench in the second half. Asia Hogan-Rochester, making her 10th appearance in 15s jersey for Canada, scored her ninth international try. Pamphinette Buisa also reached a milestone, earning her 20th cap while wearing the number 20 jersey.
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada vs USA
Seat Geek Stadium – Chicago, Illinois
Friday April 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET
Watch live on TSN and TSN+
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NEW ZEALAND
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats / Ontario West (54 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (42 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (70 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (42 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (23 caps)
6. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (41 caps)
7. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Saracens (7 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (42 caps)
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (44 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (24 caps)
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa / Markham Irish / FC Grenoble Amazones (1 cap)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (66 caps)
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (26 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC / Sharks (9 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (20 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish (1 cap)
17. Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – Ealing Trailfinders / University of Ottawa (6 caps)
18. Cassandra Tuffnail (Heidelberg, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders (1 cap)
19. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (5 caps)
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish / Bristol Bears (19 caps)
21. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University / Quebec East (Uncapped)
22. Corinne Frechette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval / Québec East (1 cap)
23. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University / Bristol Bears (1 cap)
Canada Women face NZ on Friday evening in Kansas City 3:15pm PT
Canada face NZ on Friday evening in Kansas City. The weather forecast for Friday in Kansas City, “Increasingly windy; watch for severe thunderstorms in the afternoon; significant risk of damaging winds, destructive hail, tornadoes and flooding downpours”. It doesn’t sound like the best conditions for expansive rugby, somewhat similar to conditions in California in the previous match versus Australia. It may be a situation where the team that adapts best prospers.
There are a few changes to the last roster, Sophie de Goede gets the start in the second row, that pushes Julia Omokhuale, who had a strong game, to the loose forwards and pushes Pam Buisa, who also had a strong game, to the bench. In the backs Alex Tessier returns to the centres which pushes Claire Gallagher to fullback and Chloe Daniels to the bench.
In the reserves some changes, only Kiki Idowu, Rachel Smith, Corinne Frechette retaining their spots. Lizzie Gibson set to earn her first cap. Kickoff is Friday afternoon at 3:15pm PT.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NEW ZEALAND
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats / Ontario West (54 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (42 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (70 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (42 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (23 caps)
6. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (41 caps)
7. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Saracens (7 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (42 caps)
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (44 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (24 caps)
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa / Markham Irish / FC Grenoble Amazones (1 cap)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (66 caps)
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (26 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC / Sharks (9 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (20 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish (1 cap)
17. Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – Ealing Trailfinders / University of Ottawa (6 caps)
18. Cassandra Tuffnail (Heidelberg, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders (1 cap)
19. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (5 caps)
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish / Bristol Bears (19 caps)
21. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University / Quebec East (Uncapped)
22. Corinne Frechette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval / Québec East (1 cap)
23. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University / Bristol Bears (1 cap)
from Rugby Canada
The victory for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team over the New Zealand Black Ferns, 34–19, in the 2025 Rugby World Cup semifinals—dethroning the back-to-back world champions at the time—was a monumental result for rugby in Canada. The two sides are set to meet again this Friday in their second match of the 2026 Pacific Four Series.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, April 17 at 3:15 p.m. PT / 6:15 p.m. ET at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The match will be broadcast live on TSN2 and TSN+ for fans in Canada.
“For many reasons the game against New Zealand at the last world cup was a lot of fun, it was a big moment for our team and for rugby in Canada,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “We respect the history of the Black Ferns and the success they have sustained for decades and that’s why it’s important for us to continue to showcase that Canada can also be a strong rugby country and that what we have built is sustainable.”
After missing Canada’s first PAC4 game against Australia due to injury, captain Alexandra Tessier returns to the lineup in the midfield. Sophie de Goede, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, also returns to the starting lineup at lock after coming off the bench in Canada’s weather-delayed 24–0 win over Australia last weekend.
From Caledon, Ontario, and a standout at Queen’s University, Lizzie Gibson is set to earn her first international cap, having been named to the matchday roster as a reserve.
Aurora Bowie, who earned her first cap for Canada this last Saturday, gets the nod to start on the wing for a second-straight match. Fellow newcomers Chloe Daniels, Kiki Idowu and Corinne Fréchette, who also made their debuts last weekend, are each in line for their second caps and will start the game on the bench. Front-row players Maya Montiel and Cassandra Tuffnail have been named to the matchday roster as reserves.
WHERE TO WATCH
Coverage of Canada’s Pacific Four Series match against New Zealand will be available on TSN2 and TSN+ starting at 3:15pm PT / 6:15pm ET. Broadcast details regarding Canada’s final PAC4 Series match against the United States will be available shortly.
PACIFIC FOUR SERIES SCHEDULE
Canada vs New Zealand
CPKC Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
Friday April 17 at 3:15 p.m. PT / 6:15 p.m. ET
Canada vs USA
Seat Geek Stadium – Chicago, Illinois
Friday April 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET