Canada delivered a devastating reality check to the Wallaroos’ World Cup ambitions with a comprehensive 45-7 victory at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, exposing the gulf in class between the world’s second-ranked team and their sixth-ranked hosts in a thoroughly one-sided Pacific Four Series encounter.

Key moments:

4′ – McKinley Hunt rolls over from rolling maul after stolen lineout (0-7)
5′ – Julia Schell converts (0-7)
11′ – Karen Paquin scores after Menin break (0-14)
19′ – Schell finishes slick backline move (0-21)
42′ – Laetitia Royer crosses on stroke of half-time (0-26)
45′ – Desiree Miller scores Australia’s only try (7-26)
48′ – Krissy Scurfield responds immediately for Canada (7-31)
52′ – Alex Tessier extends margin past 30 points (7-38)
72′ – Fabiola Forteza completes the rout (7-45)

From the opening whistle, the defending Pacific Four champions imposed themselves with ruthless efficiency, turning Australia’s set-piece weaknesses into a procession of tries that left the home side chasing shadows throughout a chastening evening under the Brisbane lights.

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Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team wins 45-7 over Australia in Brisbane🇨🇦

🏉Scorers: McKinley Hunt (1T), Karen Paquin (1T), Laetitia Royer (1T), Krissy Scurfield (1T), Alex Tessier (1T), Fabiola Forteza (1T), Julia Schell (1T, 5C)#RugbyCA | #OneSquad pic.twitter.com/YyGFgCBH7S

— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) May 23, 2025

The nightmare began within three minutes when Canada capitalised on the first of seven stolen Wallaroos lineouts. After regathering the kick-off that bounced awkwardly for the hosts, the visitors immediately targeted Australia’s aerial ball, with prop McKinley Hunt rolling over at the back of a 30-metre rolling maul to open the scoring. Schell’s conversion from in front gave the visitors the perfect start at 7-0.

The early score set the tone for a first half that became increasingly difficult viewing for Australian supporters. With halfback Olivia Apps orchestrating proceedings with crisp service, Canada’s forward pack systematically dismantled their hosts’ defensive structure. The second try arrived in the 11th minute following a moment of individual brilliance from tighthead prop DaLeaka Menin, whose powerful surge through loose Wallaroos defence created space for flanker Karen Paquin to stroll over untouched.

Schell’s conversion extended the lead to 14-0, but worse was to follow for Jo Yapp’s side. Another stolen lineout gifted Canada prime attacking position, and this time their backs capitalised with devastating effect. The visitors executed a sumptuous first-phase move from scrum base, with Schell the beneficiary of inch-perfect handling to race over in the right corner. The fullback’s successful conversion from the touchline pushed the margin to 21-0 after just 19 minutes.

The Wallaroos’ attempts to mount a response were repeatedly thwarted by their own errors and Canada’s suffocating defence. Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick, making her first start at inside centre after impressing on the wing against the USA, provided the most threatening moments for the hosts with her characteristic darting runs, but lacked the supporting cast to capitalise on the half-gaps she created.

Canada’s dominance reached its nadir on the stroke of half-time when lock Laetitia Royer crossed for the visitors’ fourth try after Australia were penalised at the breakdown. The bonus-point score, combined with Schell’s fourth successful conversion, left the hosts facing a mountain at 26-0 heading into the interval.

The second half began with renewed Australian vigour as coach Yapp rang the changes, introducing fresh legs in the pack. Replacement hooker Adiana Talakai appeared to have provided immediate impact with a try from a short-side raid, but the TMO’s intervention for a knock-on in the build-up denied the hosts their breakthrough moment.

Australia’s persistence finally yielded reward in the 45th minute when winger Desiree Miller showcased her finishing ability. Following excellent work from centre Georgina Friedrichs, who bent the Canadian defensive line with a strong carry, Miller broke the first tackle and powered through two more defenders to plant the ball over the line. Moleka’s conversion reduced the deficit to 26-7, offering fleeting hope of an unlikely comeback.

That optimism lasted precisely three minutes. Canada’s response was swift and clinical, with Apps’ slick distribution creating space on the left flank for winger Krissy Scurfield to dive over in the corner. The visitors’ class was undeniable, combining power and precision as they extended their lead to 31-7.

Any lingering Australian hopes were extinguished seven minutes later when captain Alex Tessier demonstrated her experience and skill. The veteran centre stepped back inside the Wallaroos’ defence following another forward-driven break, banking the visitors’ sixth try to push the margin beyond 30 points at 38-7.

Canada completed their emphatic victory with nine minutes remaining when Fabiola Forteza powered over from close range, the eighth-man’s try capping a dominant display from the visitors’ pack. Schell’s fifth successful conversion brought up the final score of 45-7, completing a performance that left no doubt about the respective teams’ World Cup credentials.

The statistics painted a sobering picture for the Wallaroos. Beyond the seven lost lineouts and two lost scrums, Australia managed just 115 carries to Canada’s 128, four line breaks to their opponents’ 12, and were outmuscled at the breakdown throughout. Most concerning was their inability to convert territorial advantage into points during the rare occasions they breached Canadian territory.

For Canada, the victory represented the perfect response to their 27-27 draw with world champions New Zealand the previous week. Captain Tessier, who crossed for one of the seven tries, reflected on a performance that showcased her team’s World Cup credentials. The forwards, marshalled expertly by Apps, dominated every facet of set-piece play, while the backs executed with the precision of a team growing in confidence and cohesion.

Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu acknowledged the harsh lessons learned, admitting her side needed to address their set-piece frailties before the World Cup. The flanker, one of the few Australian performers to emerge with credit, secured crucial turnovers early in the contest that prevented an even more comprehensive defeat.

The result leaves Canada atop the Pacific Four Series standings with eight points from their unbeaten campaign, awaiting the outcome of New Zealand’s clash with the USA to determine whether they retain their title. For Australia, the defeat extends their winless record against Canada to 0-7 in Test rugby and provides a stark reminder of the work required before their World Cup campaign begins against Samoa on August 23.

With matches against New Zealand in Wellington and Wales at home still to come, the Wallaroos have precious little time to address the fundamental flaws so ruthlessly exposed by a Canadian side that appears primed for a serious World Cup challenge in England this August.

In a contest that embodied everything magnificent about women’s international rugby, the Black Ferns and Canada played out a breathtaking 27-27 draw at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium, leaving the Pacific Four Series title race delicately poised heading into the final round.

Key moments:

5′ – Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores opening try after slick handling (5-0)
6′ – Ruahei Demant converts from touchline (7-0)
13′ – DaLeaka Menin powers over following Royer break (7-5)
14′ – Julia Schell converts to level (7-7)
32′ – Ayesha Leti-I’iga fends off defender to score in corner (12-7)
39′ – Asia Hogan-Rochester finishes brilliant Canadian move (12-12)
54′ – Leti-I’iga claims second from Brunt’s perfectly weighted grubber (17-12)
55′ – Demant converts from directly in front (19-12)
61′ – Substitute Olivia Apps dives over from close range (19-17)
65′ – Alysha Corrigan’s pace takes her to the corner for Canada’s lead (19-22)
69′ – Demant penalty levels scores at 22-22
77′ – Shoshanah Seumanutafa reaches over line after TMO review (22-27)
83′ – Sylvia Brunt crashes over after 20-phase assault to level match (27-27)

On the very ground where Canada shocked the rugby world almost exactly a year ago with their first-ever victory over New Zealand, the rematch between the world’s second and third-ranked teams delivered a spectacle worthy of the occasion, featuring six tries, multiple lead changes, and heart-stopping drama that extended well beyond the 80-minute mark.

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Canada and New Zealand finish the game tied at 27-27 in Christchurch.

🏉 Scorers: Daleaka Menin (1T), Asia Hogan-Rochester (1T), Olivia Apps (1T), Alysha Corrigan (1T), Shoshanah Seumanutafa (1T), Julia Schell (1C)#RugbyCA | #OneSquad | @nfpca pic.twitter.com/58uGjzc8Wc

— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) May 17, 2025

Under grey Christchurch skies, both sides signalled their attacking intent from the opening exchanges. The Black Ferns struck first in just the fifth minute through rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The move began with quick ball from halfback Maia Joseph to Demant, who orchestrated a perfectly timed attacking shape. The ball flowed through the hands of returning icon Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to Amy du Plessis, creating space on the outside. The centre timed her pass perfectly, allowing Sorensen-McGee to showcase her finishing prowess, brushing past the final defender to plant the ball down in the left corner. Ruahei Demant added the extras with a sublime conversion from the touchline, giving the hosts a perfect start at 7-0.

Canada’s response was swift and emphatic. After regaining possession from the restart, the visitors worked methodically upfield through strong carries from Fabiola Forteza and Gabrielle Senft. The breakthrough came following a scorching break from lock Laetitia Royer, who identified a gap in the Black Ferns’ defensive line and galloped through, taking play to within metres of the try line. With the defence scrambling, Canada recycled quickly and DaLeaka Menin, showing tremendous power and body positioning, drove over from close range in the 13th minute. Schell slotted the conversion to level proceedings at 7-7, reflecting Canada’s newfound confidence on the world stage.

The opening quarter unfolded at a frenetic pace, with both sides struggling to maintain possession amid fierce defensive pressure. The breakdown battle proved particularly crucial, with Karen Paquin and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u engaging in a compelling duel for turnover supremacy. Possession swung back and forth rapidly, with neither team able to establish territorial dominance as handling errors mounted under intense pressure.

After 30 minutes of attritional rugby, the Black Ferns reclaimed the lead. The opportunity came after sustained pressure in the Canadian half, with Layla Sae making crucial metres with a powerful carry. As play shifted towards the left touchline, Demant received quick ball and showed excellent vision to spot Leti-I’iga with space on the wing. The powerful finisher, renowned for her combination of speed and strength, took the ball at pace before showcasing her trademark power to fend off Hogan-Rochester and dive over in the corner. Demant’s conversion attempt from a challenging angle drifted wide, but at 12-7, the hosts appeared to be asserting control.

However, Canada’s response before the interval epitomised their evolution as an attacking force. With the half-time siren imminent, the visitors constructed a magnificent counter-attacking sequence that began deep in their own territory. Tessier broke the defensive line with a superb angled run, standing tall in the tackle before delivering a perfectly timed offload to Symonds. The centre showed excellent awareness to immediately shift the ball wide to Hogan-Rochester, who had positioned herself perfectly on the right wing. With the Black Ferns’ defence unable to realign quickly enough, Hogan-Rochester showed impressive pace to finish expertly in the corner. Schell’s conversion attempt from the difficult touchline position was unsuccessful, sending the teams to the sheds deadlocked at 12-all.

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The second half began with increased physicality, New Zealand’s scrum gaining ascendancy following the introduction of Tanya Kalounivale for her 20th cap. The veteran prop immediately made her presence felt at set-piece time, helping to secure a crucial platform. The hosts capitalised on consecutive line breaks from Woodman-Wickliffe and Sorensen-McGee, who scythed through the Canadian midfield on a 50-metre surge that electrified the crowd.

With momentum firmly in their favour, the Black Ferns produced the score of the match in the 54th minute. Brunt, who had been a constant threat with her powerful carrying, demonstrated her technical kicking skills with a perfectly weighted grubber behind the Canadian defensive line. The ball bounced favourably in the in-goal area, and Leti-I’iga, showcasing her predatory instincts, outpaced the covering defenders to gather at full speed and dive over beneath the posts. Demant’s straightforward conversion extended the lead to 19-12, and the Black Ferns appeared to be taking control.

Canada, however, have developed remarkable resilience under pressure. After Justine Pelletier left the field for a head injury assessment, replacement scrum-half Apps made an immediate impact. Following sustained pressure in the New Zealand 22, Canada set up a well-organised driving maul from a lineout 5 metres out. Just as the maul appeared to stall, Apps demonstrated razor-sharp instincts to peel away unnoticed down the blindside, diving full length to plant the ball on the try line in the 61st minute. The referee initially hesitated before awarding the score, with replays confirming Apps had successfully grounded the ball. Schell’s conversion attempt curled agonisingly to the right of the posts, leaving the visitors trailing by two at 19-17.

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The momentum shifted dramatically just four minutes later. An ill-advised run from Woodman-Wickliffe from her own goal line led to a turnover, creating the opportunity Canada had been waiting for. Quick hands from replacement Seumanutafa created space on the left flank for Corrigan. The winger, who had been threatening all afternoon with her pace, received the ball with defenders converging and showcased explosive acceleration to beat her opposite number on the outside. Corrigan’s perfectly timed dive took her into the corner as the last defender’s desperate tackle came too late. Though Schell’s conversion attempt drifted wide, Canada had claimed their first lead of the match at 22-19, silencing the partisan Christchurch crowd.

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Facing adversity, the Black Ferns responded through Demant’s unerring boot. After Canada were penalised for not rolling away at the ruck, the New Zealand captain pointed to the posts without hesitation. From 30 metres out and directly in front, Demant struck the ball sweetly, bisecting the uprights to level proceedings at 22-all with twelve minutes remaining.

The game’s climactic phase began with Canada laying siege to the New Zealand line. After gaining field position through an intelligent Gallagher kick to touch, the visitors won clean lineout ball and launched wave after wave of attacks. For nearly two minutes, Canada hammered away within metres of the line, with the Black Ferns’ defensive resolve tested to its limits. Finally, in the 77th minute, Seumanutafa spotted a gap and lunged for the line, reaching out to plant the ball down despite the attentions of two defenders. Referee Kat Roache immediately referred the decision to the TMO to check for a potential double movement, but replays showed Seumanutafa wasn’t held in the tackle when she reached for the line, allowing the try to stand. Schell’s missed conversion attempt left the score at 27-22, giving the Black Ferns a glimmer of hope with time rapidly running out.

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With the clock in the red and trailing by five points, the Black Ferns launched a final, desperate assault after securing possession from the restart. Through an astonishing 20 phases of play, they hammered at Canada’s defensive wall, repeatedly coming within inches of the line. Olsen-Baker’s powerful surge was repelled just 3 metres short, before Lolohea and Henwood took turns attempting to breach the Canadian wall. The visitors, showing tremendous courage and organisation, repelled attack after attack as the tension reached unbearable levels.

In the 83rd minute, after relentless pressure had stretched the Canadian defence to breaking point, replacement halfback Hohaia demonstrated remarkable composure to deliver a pinpoint cut-out pass to Brunt, who had positioned herself wide on the right wing. The powerful centre crashed through the last defender to plant the ball down in the corner. Television replays confirmed Brunt had successfully grounded the ball before her foot touched the sideline, leaving Demant with a chance to snatch victory with the conversion.

From the difficult right touchline position, Demant went through her familiar routine, knowing a successful kick would complete a remarkable comeback. As a hush fell over Apollo Projects Stadium, the fly-half struck the ball well, but watched as it curled just wide of the left upright, ensuring honours remained even in a contest that perfectly showcased the growing quality and competitiveness of women’s international rugby.

For the Black Ferns, Leti-I’iga’s clinical finishing yielded two tries, while du Plessis provided calm authority in midfield. Brunt’s powerful carrying repeatedly dented the Canadian line before her crucial late equaliser, and Mikaele-Tu’u was immense at the breakdown, securing several crucial turnovers that relieved pressure at key moments.

Canada’s standouts included the dangerous Schell, whose playmaking from fullback created numerous opportunities, while Senft was relentless in the forward exchanges, making an impressive 16 tackles without a miss. Corrigan’s pace on the wing proved decisive in giving Canada their momentary lead, and Paquin’s disruptive work at the breakdown continually frustrated New Zealand’s rhythm, with the flanker winning four crucial turnovers throughout the match.

The draw leaves both teams with identical records of one win and one draw heading into the final round of the Pacific Four Series. The Black Ferns now face the USA in Auckland, while Canada will meet Australia in Sydney, with the title race delicately poised. Should both teams secure victories in their final matches, the championship will be decided on points difference, adding further intrigue to an already compelling tournament.

The Black Ferns maintained their remarkable winning streak against Australia with a hard-fought 38-12 victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, extending their unbeaten run over the Wallaroos to 28 matches in a performance that showcased both their enduring quality and emerging talent.

Key Moments:

13′ – Ayesha Leti-I’iga scores first try after quick tap-and-go (7-0)
26′ – Leti-I’iga adds second try from close range, sneaking through ruck (14-0)
39′ – Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores controversial first try on debut (19-0)
43′ – Chryss Viliko powers over for third New Zealand try (26-0)
46′ – Eva Karpani responds for Australia with clever lineout move (26-5)
58′ – Ashley Marsters finishes maul drive for second Australian try (26-12)
67′ – Sylvia Brunt scores classy try to seal victory (31-12)
79′ – Sorensen-McGee adds brilliant second try to cap debut (38-12)

On a rainy Newcastle afternoon where the conditions threatened to disrupt both teams’ attacking ambitions, 18-year-old fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee stole the headlines on debut, scoring two tries including a stunning fingertip finish that epitomised the Black Ferns’ ability to produce match-winning moments when needed.

The defending World Cup champions controlled proceedings from the outset but were made to work harder than many expected by a vastly improved Australian side that showed significant progress since last year’s 62-0 thrashing. The early exchanges saw the Wallaroos showing admirable defensive resilience, frustrating New Zealand’s attempts to establish their trademark rhythm.

Winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga set the tone early, exploiting Australian lapses at the breakdown to score twice in the opening half-hour. Her first try came after she cleverly regained her feet from an attempted tackle, showing remarkable presence of mind to release the ball and get up quickly. With no Wallaroos defenders competing at the breakdown, Leti-I’iga charged the final 10 metres to the tryline. Ruahei Demant’s conversion from in front extended the lead to 7-0.

The pattern of New Zealand’s forward dominance continued, with No. 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker making significant metres through the middle. After initially being grounded inches short of the line, Olsen-Baker’s momentum created the perfect opportunity for Leti-I’iga’s second try. The winger lurked at the ruck and squirmed through a pile of bodies to score, demonstrating the opportunistic awareness that has made her a key component of the Black Ferns’ attack.

Despite struggling to maintain possession in the slippery conditions, the Black Ferns’ territorial advantage told when Sorensen-McGee scored her debut try. The moment sparked controversy when television replays suggested a possible knock-on, but the TMO confirmed the score after lengthy deliberation. The young fullback showed remarkable composure to collect Maia Joseph’s long pass, which had cut out four teammates, before diving full length to score in the corner. The ball appeared to slip from her grasp during the put-down, but enough contact was maintained to satisfy the match officials.

The 19-0 halftime lead masked several concerns for the visitors. Despite their superiority, the Black Ferns struggled with lineout execution, managing just 56% success rate compared to Australia’s 82%. This set-piece struggle, combined with 14 turnovers and 15 penalties, prevented New Zealand from establishing the dominant rhythm that has characterised previous encounters with the Wallaroos.

Australia’s resistance stiffened considerably after the interval, but they were immediately tested when Chryss Viliko powered over for New Zealand’s fourth try. The powerful prop demonstrated impressive ball-handling skills to collect possession before crashing through multiple defenders, using her considerable size advantage to muscle over the line despite the desperate efforts of the Wallaroos’ defence.

With their lead extended to 26-0, the Black Ferns appeared to be cruising towards another comprehensive victory. However, the Wallaroos finally found their attacking edge through a cleverly executed lineout move. After securing possession at the back of the lineout, the Australians transferred the ball to the middle, creating a numerical advantage on the wing. Prop Eva Karpani exploited this overlap perfectly, using her size and power to crash over despite the attentions of the covering defenders.

The momentum continued when replacement Ashley Marsters, introduced from the bench, made an immediate impact. The experienced forward orchestrated a classic maul drive from the lineout, with the Australians executing the move with precision. Marsters remained at the back of the formation before peeling off to crash over the line, scoring her fifth career try and suddenly making it 26-12 with 20 minutes remaining.

The comeback threat prompted the Black Ferns to rediscover their class. Centre Sylvia Brunt’s flowing try in the 67th minute provided the knockout blow. Created by a sweeping movement that began on the left side of the pitch, the ball moved through several phases with excellent continuity. When the ball finally reached Brunt on the right edge, her acceleration and footwork proved too much for the tiring Australian defence, stepping past the final tackle attempt to score in the corner.

Sorensen-McGee saved her best for last, collecting Hannah King’s perfectly weighted pass before showing raw pace and composure to score a stunning 40-metre solo try in the dying minutes. The teenager demonstrated exceptional running lines and ball-carrying skills, beating multiple defenders on her way to a memorable second try that justified her selection as Player of the Match. The effort showcased why she has been touted as one of New Zealand’s most promising prospects.

Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu acknowledged the combative nature of the contest: “It was a tough battle, probably a little bit left out there, but for our girls it’s just about learning from this game and taking it into next week.”

For Australia, the introduction of Sevens stars Charlotte Caslick and Tia Hinds provided glimpses of promise, with both players showing their class in patches despite limited opportunities in the first half. Caslick’s defensive work was particularly notable, making several crucial tackles, while Hinds’ kicking game helped relieve pressure at key moments. However, the Wallaroos struggled to integrate their sevens talents effectively, often defaulting to one-up crash balls rather than utilising the wider skillset these players bring.

Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu, who led from the front with 14 tackles and 13 carries, remained philosophical despite the defeat: “Had we come out in the first half with the intent we showed in the second, we probably would’ve got a very different result. It’s all about intent and fire, body language and energy. We’ll bring all that next week.”

The statistics highlighted where the match was won and lost. While the Wallaroos won the tackle count battle at 88% compared to New Zealand’s 90%, they struggled to maintain possession under pressure. Key performers for the Black Ferns included Olsen-Baker with 16 tackles and carries, gaining 81 metres, and Layla Sae who made 14 tackles and eight carries whilst providing crucial breakdown disruption throughout.

The victory extends New Zealand’s perfect record in the fixture to 28 consecutive wins, but revealed areas for improvement as they build towards defending their World Cup crown in August. Coach Allan Bunting will be pleased with individual performances from his key players whilst noting the need for greater clinical execution, particularly in the lineout where their struggles prevented them from establishing complete dominance.

Australia can take genuine encouragement from their second-half display, which showed they’re closing the gap on the tier-one nations, even if the final scoreline suggests otherwise. The introduction of sevens talent and their improved defensive organisation provides a foundation for future progress, though the gulf in resources and preparation between professional and semi-professional rugby remains evident.

Both sides now prepare for their next Pacific Four Series encounters, with New Zealand hosting Canada in Christchurch next week while Australia face the United States. The Black Ferns will look to build on this performance and address their set-piece concerns, whilst the Wallaroos will aim to carry their second-half intensity into a full 80-minute performance.