"Canada always had a good chance of beating New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup semi-final but no one anticipated them dominating the defending champions and playing them off the park at times. This was a masterclass by Kevin Rouet's team who used pace, patience and instincts to knock the Blacks Ferns out and book their spot in the final for just the second time."
"Sophie de Goede excelled once again for Canada. Whether through breakdown turnovers, conversions or splicing through defence she was the linchpin in a fluid game from 1-15. The trust the team have in each other when they have front-foot ball allowed them to play with pure freedom that downed New Zealand and set up a final against England or France next Saturday."
"Canada, who crowdfunded their preparations for this tournament and are semi-professional, went in as underdogs, a title they will surely no longer be given after a performance for the ages. Ashton Gate was almost sold out and the tension was palpable. There were perfect conditions with no rain all day in the build-up and clear skies. Canada laid no challenge to the Haka, they just watched in a tight-knit line as the Black Ferns electrified the atmosphere."
Canada produced a dominant performance to defeat New Zealand and reach the Rugby World Cup final for the second time. Kevin Rouet's side combined pace, patience and instincts to dismantle the defending champions. Sophie de Goede repeatedly influenced the game through turnovers, conversions and incisive running, acting as the linchpin across the whole team. Confidence with front-foot ball allowed fluid, free-running rugby that repeatedly breached the New Zealand defence. Canada entered as semi-professional underdogs who crowdfunded preparations but delivered a performance that removes that label. Ashton Gate hosted a tense, near-capacity crowd in perfect conditions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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