CANADA’S SECOND PACIFIC FOUR SERIES MATCH AGAINST NEW ZEALAND ENDS IN TIE

May 17, 2025 (Christchurch, New Zealand) - For a second-straight year, the Pacific Four Series schedule brought Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team to New Zealand to face the Black Ferns in a pivotal Pacific Four Series match in Christchurch. After the Canadians earned a historic victory in 2024, the two sides will both leave Apollo Projects Stadium with three points towards the PAC4 standings after playing to 27-27 tie.  

With the two teams tied at 22-22 late in the game, Canada turned a lineout into a maul before the ball was swung wide and then back across the field, eventually landing in the hands of Shoshanah Seumanutafa who scored her first international try, putting Canada in front 27-22 with only a few minutes left to play.  

However, deep into stoppage time, after an extended defensive stand from Canada, the Black Ferns found space out wide and scored in the corner to tie the match at 27-27 before the final whistle. 

“It was a tight battle that really could have gone either way,” said Captain Alexandra Tessier. “I think it’s a bit unfortunate that we couldn’t finish that game with a win because I thought we had it. We could have managed the game a bit better to seal the win but we will take the learnings from the end of that game. It is good for us to be in big games like this especially this year with the World Cup ahead of us.” 

The result means Canada will remain ahead of the Black Ferns in the world rankings as the second-best team in the world.  

“What I said to the girls at the end of the game was that a couple of years ago we would have been happy with a tie game but now we are leaving disappointed,” said Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “I think we need to reflect on that and we can still say that it was a good performance but with a lot to work on. I saw the players faces at the end of the game, they were mad but at the end of the day it’s a tie game against New Zealand in New Zealand, so still a positive result.” 

The Black Ferns attack showed up quickly in the first half, using a midfield scrum to gain territory deep into Canada's red zone. After several phases, New Zealand opened the scoring with a try in the 5th minute, which was successfully converted for an early 7-0 lead. 

Capitalizing on a clean lineout just eight minutes later, Canada’s Laetitia Royer broke through the Black Ferns defensive line, setting up DaLeaka Menin for the Canadians’ first try. Julia Schell slotted the conversion to level the score at 7-7.  

New Zealand regained the lead late in the half with a wide pass that found the winger on the edge, resulting in their second try. The conversion missed, leaving the score at 12-7 in the 32nd minute. 
Just before halftime, a crucial turnover by Gabrielle Senft at the breakdown near Canada’s try line prevented a potential third New Zealand score. Canada acted quickly off the penalty, clearing the danger with a well-placed kick. 

Momentum shifted towards Canada following a back-and-forth kicking exchange. Thanks in large part to strong carries from wingers Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester down their respective sidelines, Canada steadily advanced up the field. A few phases later, Hogan-Rochester finished in the corner to score her second try in just her third international 15s match for Canada.  

New Zealand struck first in the second half, finding space behind Canada’s defensive line with a well-placed grubber kick. Their winger gathered cleanly and scored under the posts to put the Black Ferns ahead 19-12 after a successful conversion.  

Earning back-to-back penalties which gave them excellent field position, Canada responded. A lineout at the 5-meter line which turned into a maul was finished off by Olivia Apps. The conversion missed, but Canada closed the gap to 19-17. 

Minutes later, a miscue on a New Zealand clearance kick inside their own 22-meter landed in the hands of Apps, sparking a passing sequence through hands of Claire Gallagher and Seumanutafa before Corrigan dove over the line to give Canada their first lead of the match but shortly after, a successful Black Ferns penalty kick to level the score at 22-22. 

Seumanutafa’s score to put Canada in front late in the game came in the 77th minute before New Zealand’s game-tying try crossed the line in extra time at the 83rd minute.  

Canada will now travel to Brisbane for their final Pacific Four Series match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium on May 22 at 11:55pm PT / May 23 at 2:55am ET (4:55pm local time). 

More information on the Pacific Four Series, including the full schedule and results, can be found on the official World Rugby website HERE. 
 
Mission: Win Rugby World Cup    
Rugby Canada has officially launched the Mission: Win the Rugby World Cup 2025 fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $1,000,000 to provide Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team with extra resources to help them make history by winning the 2025 Rugby World Cup. With their sights set on a groundbreaking achievement this year in England, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team is currently ranked second in the World Rugby global rankings. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.