Defending champions New Zealand will be without their breakout star Jorja Miller when they face world number two Canada in Friday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final at Ashton Gate, as co-captain Ruahei Demant prepares to reach a historic 50-cap milestone.Jorja Miller ruled out through injury after scoring four tries in four tournament appearances
- Ruahei Demant set for 50th Test cap, becoming third most-capped Black Fern behind Kendra Cocksedge (68) and Fiao’o Fa’amausili (57)
- Kennedy Tukuafu promoted to replace Miller at openside flanker in one of four starting changes
- Canada name unchanged matchday 23 after demolishing Australia 46-5 in quarter-final
- Karen Paquin also reaches 50-cap milestone for the Maple Leafs
- Winners advance to face England or France at sold-out Twickenham final on 27 September
The absence of Miller represents the most significant blow to New Zealand’s title defence since the tournament began. The 21-year-old sevens sensation, who claimed the prestigious Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year Award in 2024 after helping New Zealand win Olympic gold in Paris, has been the standout performer of the Black Ferns’ campaign to date.\
Miller’s tournament has been nothing short of spectacular. After being crowned HSBC SVNS Series Women’s Player of the Year before switching codes ahead of the World Cup, she announced herself on the fifteens stage with two tries on debut against Spain, before producing man-of-the-match performances against Japan and Ireland. Her dynamic running lines, explosive pace, and sevens-honed skills have added a new dimension to New Zealand’s attack.
However, Miller played the second half of Saturday’s 46-17 quarter-final victory over South Africa with heavy strapping on her left knee before departing in the 46th minute. Subsequent medical assessment has ruled her out of Friday’s crucial semi-final, leaving head coach Allan Bunting to reshuffle his back row.
“[Miller is] an incredible person, but she’s also done a lot for the team off-field, she does a lot for me. I go to her if I need help and she’s an incredible player,” said co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, who steps up to fill the void at openside flanker. “We haven’t felt her presence leave for once and she continues to serve the team in a different way. We all know that she’s going to do everything she needs to do.”
Tukuafu’s promotion headlines four changes to the starting XV that dismantled South Africa in Exeter. The experienced campaigner, who co-captained the side to World Cup glory on home soil in 2022, brings 33 caps of experience to the crucial number seven jersey. She will be joined in the back row by Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and player-of-the-match against the Springboks, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, with Layla Sae providing bench cover.
Bunting expressed complete confidence in his replacement options. “We don’t have Jorja but we’ve got this lady sitting right next to me,” he said, gesturing towards Tukuafu. “And then obviously Layla Sae comes on the bench, who was massively impressive in her first couple of games. They bring their own presents and own special gifts so we’ve got a strong team this weekend.”
The other major storyline centres on Demant’s historic achievement. The 27-year-old first five-eighth will join elite company when she runs out for her 50th Test, becoming only the third Black Fern to reach the milestone. Since making her debut against Australia in Sydney seven years ago, Demant has established herself as the tactical heartbeat of this side, winning 42 of her 49 Tests.
“Ruahei embodies mana and everything that a Black Fern should be through her authenticity,” praised Bunting. “She has a calm but strong presence on the field, when Ruahei speaks she has powerful influence, her words and conviction connects our circle in a special way. She is the poutokomanawa, heart and soul of the team.”
Demant’s milestone caps will be shared with outside back Ayesha Leti-I’iga, who reaches her 30th Test from the bench. The pair’s experience could prove invaluable against a Canada side brimming with confidence after their recent dominance over the Black Ferns.
“Ruahei is an exceptional human. She leads our team with so much pride, she’s powerful in her words,” added Tukuafu. “Nothing changes for her, she’s going to go out there and do her job. She’s going to lead our team as she does and 50 games is an amazing milestone, but I know that she’d say ‘It’s just another game’.”
The remaining changes see Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt return at inside centre after missing the quarter-final under head injury assessment protocols, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane promoted to start at scrum-half ahead of Maia Joseph, and the more experienced Tanya Kalounivale preferred at tighthead prop.
Tournament leading points-scorer Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who has accumulated 52 points, retains her place on the wing alongside the prolific Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Renee Holmes continues her impressive return to Test rugby at fullback, having overcome what she described as a “scary” injury setback earlier in her career.
Canada’s confidence stems from their remarkable recent record against the defending champions. Kevin Rouet’s side claimed their first-ever victory over New Zealand with a stunning 22-19 triumph in Christchurch in May 2024, before following up with a dramatic 27-27 draw during the Pacific Four Series. In that latter encounter, only a last-gasp try from Sylvia Brunt with the clock in the red denied Canada a second consecutive victory on New Zealand soil.
The Maple Leafs have carried that momentum into the World Cup, remaining unbeaten throughout 2025. After accounting for the USA and Australia during the Pacific Four Series, they navigated pool play with victories over Fiji, Wales and Scotland before demolishing the Wallaroos 46-5 in their quarter-final.
“We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that,” declared head coach Rouet. “We have every reason to believe that we can win this game. On Friday, we take another step toward the ultimate goal we have been building toward over our first four games and the last three years.”
Canada’s unchanged matchday 23 reflects Rouet’s satisfaction with the performance that swept aside Australia. Open-side flanker Karen Paquin will also reach the 50-cap milestone, adding another layer of significance to Friday’s encounter. The 29-year-old scored the final try in the seven-try demolition of the Wallaroos and has been instrumental in Canada’s forward dominance throughout the tournament.
Saracens lock Sophie de Goede continues to captain the side from the second row, while the experienced spine of Emily Tuttosi, Justine Pelletier, Taylor Perry, and Julia Schell provides the platform for Canada’s attacking threats. Centre Alexandra Tessier and wings Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan have all impressed with their pace and finishing ability.
The psychological advantage clearly lies with Canada, yet Bunting believes his side has evolved considerably since those recent meetings. “We’ve probably, since I’ve been here, played them three times. We beat them the first time, they beat us and then we drew,” he reflected. “It’s going to be a tight battle. They’re a quality team and this team, our team, is different today and our game’s at a different place.”
Two-time World Cup winner Stacey Waaka, who returns to the starting XIII at outside centre, offered a warning that Canada have yet to face the Black Ferns at their peak. “I don’t feel like Canada have played the best of the Black Ferns,” she said ominously.
Bunting echoed those sentiments whilst acknowledging the challenge ahead. “We are looking forward to this weekend and the challenge ahead, we are a different team, our game is in a different place and we have experience in pinnacle events under pressure.”
The stakes could not be higher for Friday’s encounter at Bristol’s Ashton Gate. The winners will advance to face either tournament hosts England or France in what promises to be a sold-out final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 27 September. For the Black Ferns, victory would secure their passage to a third consecutive World Cup final as they pursue an unprecedented seventh title.
However, the absence of Miller removes one of their most potent attacking weapons. The sevens convert’s ability to create something from nothing, combined with her pace and footwork in tight spaces, has been a crucial element of New Zealand’s attacking armoury. Her replacement, Tukuafu, brings different qualities – leadership, experience and defensive solidity – but lacks the X-factor that Miller has provided.
Canada will be acutely aware of this shift in dynamics. Their recent success against New Zealand has been built on suffocating the Black Ferns’ traditionally fluid attacking game whilst capitalising on their own set-piece dominance. With Miller absent, they may feel their task has become marginally easier.
England2 weeks ago
Super Rugby Pacific2 weeks ago
Super Rugby Pacific2 weeks ago
Super Rugby Pacific1 week ago
Super Rugby Pacific3 weeks ago
Super Rugby Pacific1 week ago
Super Rugby Pacific2 weeks ago
International3 weeks ago