Canada ended England’s impressive 41-match unbeaten run with a dramatic 24-21 victory in the WXV women’s rugby international match held at BMO Field in Toronto. The thrilling encounter saw Canada take revenge for their loss to England in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, in front of a record crowd of 18,621 spectators.
The match began with England showing promise, but they struggled to capitalize on several attacking opportunities. Canada took advantage of a yellow card shown to England’s Zoe Harrison, with Savannah Bauder scoring the opening try. England responded with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Harrison to lead 14-5 at halftime.
After the break, Canada mounted a comeback as Alysha Corrigan scored a solo try, reducing the deficit. England’s Sarah Bern scored again, but Canada’s persistent pressure paid off. DaLeaka Menin scored a crucial try, setting up a nail-biting finish.
In the closing minutes, Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the decisive try, putting Canada ahead 24-21. The Canadian team held on to celebrate a landmark victory, sparking cheers among fans and players alike.
England’s defeat marked a significant shift in the landscape of international women’s rugby, ending their four-year dominance. England’s head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the loss as a learning opportunity and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back.
The two teams are set to face each other again next weekend, offering England a chance to recover and Canada an opportunity to build on their historic win.