Justine Pelletier, seen here scoring a try against New Zealand in last year's women's rugby World Cup semi-final, helped Canada enjoy a breakthrough moment, topping the Black Ferns and taking the world No. 2 ranking.Andrew Matthews/The Associated Press
Canada and New Zealand renew their women’s rugby rivalry Friday when the two face off in Kansas City in Pacific Four Series play.
For the second-ranked Canadians, it’s another chance to show they hold the upper hand in the series. The third-ranked Black Ferns, meanwhile, know they take back the initiative and overtake Canada in the rankings with a win.
Having lost their first 17 career meetings with the Black Ferns, the Canadians turned the tide at the 2024 Pacific Four Series with a 22-19 comeback win in Christchurch. That milestone victory earned Canada the tournament title and vaulted them three places to No. 2 in the rankings.
The two teams tied 27-27 at last year’s PacFour meeting in Christchurch, with the Black Ferns edging Canada for the title on points difference.
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The Canadian women then laid down an even bigger marker in September, downing the Black Ferns 34-19 in the World Cup semi-final. Canada then lost 33-13 to top-ranked England in the final.
Prior to the Canada loss, six-time champion New Zealand had won 18 straight at the World Cup – the second-longest such run in the history of the tournament. The Black Ferns won 20 in a row between 1998 and 2014.
The eighth-ranked U.S. takes on No. 7 Australia in the late game at CKPC Stadium on Friday, with thunderstorms in the forecast.
The Canadians opened tournament play April 10 with a 24-0 win over Australia in soggy Sacramento while New Zealand thumped the U.S. 48-15.
Asked if his team goes into Friday’s match as favourite, Canada coach Kevin Rouet chose his words carefully.
Canada had lost its previous 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before its World Cup semi-final win last year in England.Andrew Matthews/The Associated Press
“New Zealand was on top of the world for like decades,” said the France-born coach. “For us, it’s an important match ... We can stay No. 2 in the world and we deserve to be there above New Zealand. That’s something important for us.
“On the other side, I’m managing expectations because I have a couple of new players coming in. So it’s finding this balance. We know we don’t have our strongest squad coming in here but we also, no matter the squad here, want to show we are the best.
“It’s going to be a big challenge, definitely,” he added with a grin. “They are going to be very hungry.”
Rouet is missing players with Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan, Caroline Crossley, Sabrina Poulin and Florence Symonds in Hong Kong with the sevens side for the opening stop of the three-legged HSBC SVNS World Championship.
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He is getting some important pieces back in the form of forward Sophie de Goede, the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year who came off the bench against Australia as part of her return to play from a nagging knee issue, and centre/captain Alex Tessier, who missed the Wallaroos game due to a wrist injury.
With de Goede starting in the second row, Julia Omokhuale shifts to flanker with Pamphinette Buisa moving to the bench. Tessier’s introduction at centre shifts Claire Gallagher to fullback with Chloe Daniels, who won her first cap against Australia, moving to the bench.
Aurora Bowie, who won her first cap against Australia, retains her starting wing position.
While the Canadian starting 15 goes into the match with a combined 511 caps, the eight-woman bench – which includes the uncapped Lizzie Gibson – numbers just 34 caps.
Canada’s replacements Saturday include Daniels, Kiki Idowu and Corinne Fréchette, who made their test debuts against Australia.
New Zealand has named an unchanged side with the starters boasting a combined 394 caps, with another 57 caps on the bench.
“We know Canada are a physical and accurate side and we’re looking forward to matching the intensity to put on a consistent, disciplined performance we can be proud of,” said Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen.
While replacement prop Tanya Kalounivale was sent off for contact above the shoulders in the ruck in the win over the U.S., an independent disciplinary committee subsequently ruled the red card was not warranted, making her available for selection.
The Canadian women have gone 31-9-1 since Rouet was appointed head coach in March 2022 after four years as an assistant coach. His only test defeats have come to England (six times), New Zealand (twice) and France, currently ranked fourth in the world.
The World Cup final loss to England and PacFour draw with New Zealand are the only blemishes in Canada’s 12-1-1 record since the start of 2025.
South African referee Aimee Barrett-Theron is in charge Friday, as she was in the World Cup semi-final.
Canada wraps up tournament play on April 24 in Bridgeview, Ill., against the U.S., who are led by former Canadian women’s sevens coach Jack Hanratty.
Canada roster (x-denotes uncapped player)
Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Ontario West; Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., Saracens (England); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Saracens (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Oakville Crusaders; Aurora Bowie, Stouffville, Ont., FC Grenoble Amazones (France); Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Sharks (England); Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England).
Replacements
Kiki Idowu, Toronto, Toronto Scottish; Maya Montiel, Dieppe, N.B., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Cassandra Tuffnail, Heidelberg, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Bristol Bears (England); x-Lizzie Gibson, Caledon, Ont., Quebec East; Corinne Frechette, Saint-Zephirin-de-Courval, Que., Quebec East; Chloe Daniels, Sutton, Ont., Bristol Bears (England).