Black Ferns Vs. Canada Women's Rugby Highlights & Recap
Black Ferns Vs. Canada Women's Rugby Highlights & Recap
The No. 3 New Zealand Women's Rugby team hosts the No. 2 Canada Rugby team as the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup approaches.
- Auto
The Pacific Four Series most anticipated match ended in a thrilling 27-27 draw in Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 17, as No. 3 New Zealand scored in the 84th minute to tie the match after Canada had taken the lead in the 76th minute.
The Black Ferns had a chance to win, but Ruahei Demant's conversion missed.
Even though the Women's Rugby World Cup doesn't start for another three months, the Christchurch crowd saw a match worthy of the sport's biggest stage.
- Subscribe To Watch International Rugby On FloRugby
- 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: Here's The Full List
- When Is The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025?
Canada broke through to take the lead in the 76th minute when Alysha Corrigan scored on the wing following several chances Canada had on the goal line.
With four minutes to play, the Black Ferns quickly moved the ball down the field to answer and used a line-out in the 79th minute to set up game-tying try five minutes later.
The Black Ferns will host USA Rugby on May 23 in their next game of the Pacific Four Series.
Relive the match below with our live updates and subscribe to watch the replay.
BLACK FERNS SCORE In 84th MINUTE, IT'S A DRAW
New Zealand 27, Canada 27, 84'
After Canada played five minutes of thumping defense, Sylvia Brunt broke through with a try to tie the match at 27, as the No. 3 Black Ferns avoided a loss to No. 2 Canada.
New Zealand could have won the game, but failed to convert.
Line-Out Coming In Final Minute For Black Ferns
New Zealand 22, Canada 27, 79'
Can the Black Ferns score in the final minute?
Canada Rugby TAKES LEAD With 4 Minutes Left
New Zealand 22, Canada 27, 76'
Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored a try in the 76th minute and was later confirmed by the TMO, as Canada takes the lead against New Zealand.
Seumanutafa didn't play in the first half.
Canada didn't convert.
Canada Passes Up Kick, Goes To Touch
New Zealand 22, Canada 22, 75'
Canada opts for touch instead of trying a long kick to take the lead.
BLACK FERNS GOAL LINE DEFENSE!
New Zealand 22, Canada 22, 73'
Canada spent about two minutes about a meter out trying to take the lead, but the Black Ferns defense wouldn't let Canada in and forced a turnover.
BLACK FERNS TIE IT On A Penalty
New Zealand 22, Canada 22, 68'
Oh, my what a match. Ruahei Dement ties the match with a penalty.
As we enter the last 10 minutes, who's going to win this?
CANADA RUGBY TAKES THE LEAD
Canada 22, New Zealand 19, 64'
Canada has taken the lead with about 15 minutes left in the game, as winger Alysha Corrigan broke away for a huge try, but Julia Schell missed another extra point.
If the score is familiar, it's exactly what the score was last year when Canada beat the Black Ferns for the first time.
Olivia Apps Scores After Lineout For Canada Rugby
New Zealand 19, Canada 17, 61'
No one wants to lose this one.
Canada inches closer. Olivia Apps scored a few minutes after entering the match as Justine Pelletier left the field. She scored after a line-out close to touch.
Canada, though, still trails after missing the conversion.
Rugby Canada Star Justine Pelletier Leaves Game
New Zealand 19, Canada 12, 55'
Canadian star Justin Pelletier is out and being checked for a head injury, as Canada tries to rally against New Zealand.
Olivia Apps is on for Pelletier.
Braxton Sorenson-McGee, Ayesha Leti-I'iga Give New Zealand The Lead!
New Zealand 19, Canada 12, 53'
Braxton Sorenson-McGee,'s huge breakaway was finished off by a second try in the match by Ayesha Leti-I'iga. New Zealand converted the kick.
Canada, NZ Make More Changes
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, 49'
Coming in for Canada:
In:
- McKinley Hunt
Out:
- Brittany Kassil
Coming in For New Zealand:
In:
- Iritana Hohaia
Out:
- Maia Joseph
Black Ferns Make Changes
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, 46'
Coming in for New Zealand:
In:
- Kaipo Olsen-Baker
- Tanya Kalounivale
Out:
- Layla Sae
- Amy Rule
Asia Hogan-Rochester Off For Canada
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, 41'
Asia Hogan-Rochester is out and Fancy Bermudez is on for Canada.
NZ Vs. Canada Women's Rugby Stats
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, Half
- Penalty Goals: New Zealand 0, Canada 0
- Tries: New Zealand 2, Canada 2
- Conversions: New Zealand 1, Canada 1
- Drop Goals: New Zealand 0, Canada 0
- Carries: New Zealand 61, Canada 68
- Line Breaks: New Zealand 5, Canada 1
- Turnovers Lost: New Zealand 10, Canada 8
- Turnovers Won: New Zealand 7, Canada 8
Halftime In Christchurch. It's All Tied Up
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, Half
What a half of rugby, as the No. 3 team in the world, New Zealand, and No. 2 Canada have slugged it out. Both teams scored tries in the first 15 minutes and the final 10.
What's going to happen in the second half? Keep following along.
Rugby Canada TIES IT UP In 39th Minute
New Zealand 12, Canada 12, 39'
Canada's defense in the last 10 minutes of the half leads to a terrific offensive attack, as Canada tied it just before halftime.
Asia Hogan-Rochester scored the try. Canada couldn't convert the kick.
Rugby Canada Forces Turnover
New Zealand 12, Canada 7, 37'
New Zealand turned down a chance to kick a penalty in favor of going for a try, and Canada forced a turnover to stop the Black Fern momentum.
Black Ferns Threatening Again
New Zealand 12, Canada 7, 35'
New Zealand is deep in Canadian territory looking to add another try before halftime.
New Zealand Black Ferns Take Lead Before Half
New Zealand 12, Canada 7, 32'
Ayesha Leti-I'iga scored in the 32nd minute to give New Zealand the lead after a 20 minute period of intense rugby. Ruahei Demant couldn't convert the kick.
No. 2 vs. No.3 Living Up To Hype
New Zealand 7, Canada 7, 24'
A high-tempo match has broken out in Christchurch in the first 20 minutes, as both squads have traded tries and moved the ball up and down the field.
Rugby Canada Wastes No Time! Answers Black Ferns
New Zealand 7, Canada 7, 13'
Canada is on the scoreboard, as DaLeaka Menin bulled her way for the try in the 12th minute. Canada's Julia Schell converted the kick.
Black Ferns' Braxton Sorensen-McGee Puts New Zealand On The Board
New Zealand 7, Canada 0, 4'
Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored the first try of the game against Canada 4:35 into the match. Ruahei Demant converted the kick.
And We're Off: Black Ferns 0, Canada 0
The first minute is here!
Canada Rugby Looking For Second Win
Canada is just 1-17 all-time against New Zealand, the six-time Women's Rugby World Cup winner.
Black Ferns Kickoff Time Is Moments Away
The No. 3-ranked Black Ferns and the No. 2 Canadian women's rugby team are ready for their Women's Rugby World Cup preview match!
Follow the action live or subscribe to watch in the United States!
Black Ferns Lineup
- Chryss Viliko
- Georgia Ponsonby
- Amy Rule
- Alana Bremner
- Maiakawanakaulani Roos
- Layla Sae
- Kennedy Tukuafu
- Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
- Maia Joseph
- Ruahei Demant
- Ayesha Leti-I'iga
- Sylvia Brunt
- Amy du Plessis
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
- Braxton Sorenson-McGee
Substitutes: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Kate Henwood, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Maama Vaipulu, 20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Hannah King, 23. Mererangi Paul
Canada Women's Lineup
- Brittany Kassil
- Emily Tuttosi
- DaLeaka Menin
- Courtney O'Donnell
- Laetitia Royer
- Fabiola Forteza
- Karen Paquin
- Gabby Senft
- Justine Pelletier
- Claire Gallagher
- Alysha Corrigan
- Alex Tessier
- Florence Symonds
- Asia Hogan-Rochester
- Julia Schell
Substitutes: 16. Gillian Boag, 17. McKinley Hunt, 18. Rori Wood, 19. Tyson Beukeboom, 20. Caroline Crossley, 21. Olivia Apps, 22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 23. Fancy Bermudez
When Is the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025?
The first match of the Women's Rugby World Cup is Aug. 22 in Sunderland.
Canada begins the World Cup on Aug. 23 against Fiji in York, while the Black Ferns open the Women's Rugby World Cup against Spain on Aug. 24.
The new Women's Rugby World Cup trophy is looking good... 😎#RWC2025 | #ThisEnergyNeverStops https://t.co/txDWgWb3eJ
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) May 14, 2025
World Rugby Women's Rankings
- England – 97.56
- Canada – 89.31
- New Zealand – 89.01
- France – 85.92
- Ireland – 78.78
- Australia – 77.73
- Scotland – 76.56
- Italy – 75.23
- USA – 72.20
- Wales – 70.81
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Groups
Pool A
- England
- Australia
- USA
- Samoa
Pool B
- Canada
- Scotland
- Wales
- Fiji
Pool C
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Japan
- Spain
Pool D
- France
- Italy
- South Africa
- Brazil
New Zealand Black Ferns Fixtures
- Friday, May 16 - 11:35 p.m. ET - Black Ferns vs. Canada Women
- Friday, May 23 - 11:35 p.m. ET - Black Ferns vs. USA Women
- Friday, July 4 - 9:05 p.m. ET - Black Ferns vs. Black Ferns XV
- Friday, July 11 - 12:30 p.m. ET - Black Ferns vs. Australia Women
Canada Women's Rugby Fixtures
- Saturday, May 17 - 1 p.m. ET - Canada vs. New Zealand Black Ferns
- Friday, May 23 - 1 p.m. ET - Canada Women vs. Australia Wallaroos
- Saturday, July 5 – 10:00 a.m. ET – Canada Women vs. South Africa
- Saturday, July 12 – 10:00 a.m. ET – Canada Women vs. South Africa
Watch How The Black Ferns Were Selected For The Match Against Australia
How To Watch NZ Black Ferns Vs. Canada Women's Rugby
Black Ferns Vs. Canada Start Time
New Zealand Black Ferns vs. Canada begins at 11:35 p.m. ET on May 17.
Revenge Game For Black Ferns
Canada stunned new Zealand last year. Can Canada do it again?
Will lightning strike twice? ⚡️
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) May 16, 2025
Last year @RugbyCanada beat the @BlackFerns for the first time ever, will history repeat itself tomorrow?#NZLvCAN | #PacificFourSeries | #PAC4 pic.twitter.com/JIOKU5fvfa
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.