BRISTOL - Canada beat Australia 46-5 at Ashton Gate on Saturday to set up a Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final against six-time champions New Zealand
BRISTOL - Canada beat Australia 46-5 at Ashton Gate on Saturday to set up a Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final against six-time champions New Zealand.
It was an even start in Bristol as Canada's Asia Hogan-Rochester and Australia's Desiree Miller traded tries in the first ten minutes, but from then on Canada put on a show for those in attendance as Alysha Corrigan (2), Sophie de Goede and McKinley Hunt all crossed to give their side a 31-5 lead at the break.
The Wallaroos were able to stem the tide somewhat in the second half, but Fabiola Forteza and Karen Paquin both added tries and Alex Tessier slotted a penalty to put the finishing touches on a statement performance in Bristol.
Sophie de Goede was awarded the Mastercard Player of the Match after scoring a try and adding eight further points with her boot.
"You could have given this Player of the Match to so many players out there and to the impact subs that came on and finished the game incredibly," she said. "I think that's what makes us a great team and hopefully you can continue to see that throughout the tournament.
"We were excited to be in the semis last time and I feel like we are just rolling and we've checked off every job we have wanted to do so far. Real credit to Australia, it was a tough game. I'm just really happy we were able to come through that one and we look forward to the semis."
Canada head coach Kevin Rouet was pleased with the way his side navigated the game once they were in control.
"I am very happy," he said. "Our first half was a very good rugby game for us. We pushed the game away from Australia and after that we managed the second half, so I'm very happy with the performance."
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp was gracious in defeat, saying her side were second best on the day.
"We were beaten by a better team," she said. "Canada came out and we knew that if we allowed them to get quick ball, we know exactly what they're capable of, and that's exactly what we saw in that first half, so credit to them.
"We came out the second half and threw at it what we could. We had a put more ball and tried to stop that line speed but the game was already lost."
Sophie de Goede doesn't win Mastercard Player of the Match awards just for her kicking. She may have been the game's top scorer with 13 points, but she was also happy to do the grunt work: her 78 metres made with ball in hand was the most out of any player on the pitch.
Canada are through to their sixth Rugby World Cup semi-final, where they will play against New Zealand in Bristol on Friday. Australia, meanwhile, are out of the tournament and will have to wait four more years for their chance at glory.
"You can't be over-confident but for sure we are confident," Rouet said when asked about playing the Black Ferns. "We are in the same place as New Zealand. We battle against them a lot so it is going to be a tight game."
