Canada Falls Short in a Twickenham Final
In front of a sold-out crowd of about 80,000 at Twickenham, the Canadian women opened with a punch, but England ultimately dictated the pace and path to a third World Cup title. Canada struck first when Asia Hogan-Rochester touched down in the 6th minute, giving the party a brief spark and the team its only lead of the match. From that moment, however, the script followed a familiar arc: England controlled possession, applied pressure, and kept Canada on the back foot for most of the contest.
The Turning Points and Key Moments
England’s experience and depth told the story. The Red Roses moved the ball with purpose, punctuating their dominance with tries from England’s standout players and a reliable set of kick conversions. Canada showed resilience and flashes of quality, but couldn’t sustain the tempo or finish the chances when they mattered most. Asia Hogan-Rochester’s second try at the 53rd minute came during a period when England briefly fielded a player with a yellow card, yet Canada could not convert that numerical advantage into sustained pressure.
What Was Working and What Was Delayed
Canada’s captain, Alex Tessier, admitted the team began a touch tentative, failing to impose their rhythm from the opening whistle. “We started a bit too slowly and didn’t connect the way we wanted,” she said. The Canadians displayed serious fight and tenacity, but struggled with execution in crucial moments, the kind of sequences that can tilt a tight final. Head coach Kevin Rouet underscored the reality: against England, converting opportunities is non-negotiable, and today Canada missed several chances to finish scoring plays.
From Crowdfunding to the Global Stage: Canada’s Rising Arc
Canada’s journey to the final included eye-catching performances against rugby powerhouses like New Zealand, demonstrating that the program has taken real strides on the world stage. The team’s campaign to sustain itself included a socio-financing effort to support players on the road to the World Cup, underscoring the challenges alongside the triumphs. The World Cup campaign also sits alongside Canada’s recent Olympic success in rugby sevens, where the women collected a silver medal in Paris, highlighting the country’s growing footprint in both 15s and sevens formats.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Canada
While the final sting hurts, many observers and athletes alike recognize that Canada’s showing confirms a place among rugby’s world elite. The team’s achievements this tournament, including a strong start to central tenets like defense and ball retention, indicate a program on an upward trajectory. Canada’s leadership emphasized learning from the final and translating those lessons into preparation for future world events and Olympic cycles. As one senior player noted, the squad can leave the World Cup feeling proud of its performance and hopeful for continued progress rather than dwelling on a missed victory.
A Bronze, Then a Bright Future
In the bronze-medal match, the New Zealanders edged France to claim third place, a reminder of the level at the top of women’s rugby. For Canada, the focus shifts to consolidating their place in the global top tier, expanding player depth, and building on the momentum generated by this World Cup run.
