World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 - New Zealand 19-22 Canada - 19/05/2024.
Pacific Four Series clash between the Black Ferns and Canada at which was played at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium on a drizzly and misty evening.
Canada created history by beating the Black Ferns in Christchurch 22-19. Canada, having won three games top the table with 14 points with the Black Ferns currently second with 6.
Sophie de Goede gave Canada a dream start with an early penalty, but – for all their effort and endeavour – they had been repeatedly unable to unlock New Zealand’s defensive wall in a tense and tough and difficult encounter.
Winger Katelyn Vahaakolo scored two early tries give New Zealand a slight advantage at the end of a hard-fought first half in tricky handling conditions in Christchurch.
Her first came in the 10th minute, as she race through to dive over in the corner. Her second – a sublime planned open-play move – followed in the 23rd minute with Kennedy Simon dtarting the move with a strong run and after offloading to Layla Sae who in turn moved the ball rapidly onto Chryss Viliko had taken the ball into contact, before Maya Joseph jinked one way and dipped a no-look inside pass to Vahaakolo, who raced in for her second try. Sophie De Goede then converted to take the sides into half-time at 14-10.
After the break the wheels came off for the Black Ferns as Bermudez repeated her close-range dart just before the hour to give the Canadians an eight-point cushion. The pressure was building on New Zealand with Canada creating several dangerous opportunities with Bermudez being a matter of centimetres from scoring a few moments earlier before Tessier who did cross minutes later following a break by Paige Farries – but the score was crossed off for obstruction.
Despite the reprieve for the Black Ferns, Canada were in the ascendency in the closing stages. Patricia Maliepo however found herself in wide open spaces as the visitors ran out of defenders to score in the corner to set up a tense finish. But Canada – unbeaten in 2024 – held on to lift the trophy which sparked jubilant scenes in Christchurch.
Canada captain Sophie De Goede said immediately stated afterwards that she “had no words” to describe the moment. The victory also doubled as a Tyson’s Beukeboom's record breaking 68th cap.
Result:
New Zealand 19-22 Canada
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