April 17, 2026 (Kansas City, Missouri) – For a second straight week, weather disrupted match day for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. Severe weather and tornado warnings in Kansas City, Missouri delayed their second match of the 2026 Pacific Four Series against the New Zealand Black Ferns by nearly three hours. 

Once the rematch of the 2025 Rugby World Cup semifinal finally got underway at CPKC Stadium, the rain had stopped, but both teams were still forced to contend with high winds and a slick field. Despite leading 14–5 after the opening 40 minutes, Canada ultimately fell to New Zealand by a final score of 36–14. The Black Ferns’ victory means they will overtake Canada in the World Rugby rankings for second place, pushing Canada down to third. 

“We didn’t show our best product today and that’s on us,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “We just came back together as a team, but we have to find our way. It was very individual on the pitch today; we weren’t connected enough. We just need more time together as a team to practice together and play together.”  

First Half  
Canada and New Zealand began scoreless through the first 10 minutes as both sides exchanged possession amid penalties and handling errors while adjusting to windy conditions following a heavy bout of rain before the game kicked off.  

New Zealand’s first quality scoring chance came in the 11th minute, but strong defensive pressure from Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester forced a missed pass to an unmarked Black Ferns winger. Canada relied on captain Alex Tessier’s boot to relieve pressure early on, while their defense held firm through sustained New Zealand attacks. 

Canada opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Julia Omokhuale blocked a kick deep in New Zealand territory. Quick ball movement out to the wing allowed Hogan-Rochester to finish, with Claire Gallagher converting from a difficult angle for a 7–0 lead. 

Following a yellow card to Brittany Kassil in the 27th minute, New Zealand responded with a try out wide, but a missed conversion left Canada ahead 7–5. 

Late in the half, a 50–22 kick from Gallagher set up an attacking lineout for Canada. After repeated infringements by New Zealand at the maul, a penalty try was awarded, extending Canada’s lead to 14-5 heading into halftime. 

Second Half 
New Zealand began the second half with a yellow card, but Canada was unable to capitalize. A promising break created by Tessier put Omokhuale into space, though she was brought down just short of the try line, and possession was later turned over, leaving the score at 14–5. 

New Zealand responded in the 53rd minute with their second try, narrowing the deficit to 14–10 after another missed conversion. Momentum continued to shift in the 60th minute when Canada conceded a penalty in their own 22. A few phases later, the Ferns drove the ball over the line for their third score. Canada initially appeared to have held the ball up, but video review overturned the call and awarded the try. The successful conversion then gave New Zealand their first lead at 17–14.  

The Black Ferns extended their advantage shortly after, capitalizing on a fortunate bounce to score again in the 63rd minute. Further pressure led to an interception try following a misplaced Canadian pass near their own line, pushing the score to 31–14. 

A late try sealed the result, with New Zealand recording 31 unanswered second-half points to secure a 36–14 victory. 

CANADA SCORING SUMMARY   
Tries: Asia Hogan-Rochester (22’), Penalty Try (39’) 
Conversions: Claire Gallagher (1)  

A WORD FROM CAPTAIN ALEX TESSIER  
“We didn’t take care of it [the breakdown],” said Tessier. “And because we didn’t take care of it the game got more and more chaotic around the ruck and then they just kept applying pressure. Sadly, we weren’t able to reverse that pressure and that’s on us.”  
 
“Coming in and starting the game by installing our tempo and our rhythm was the idea. We did create some stuff and enter their 22-meter, but we didn’t convert points which made the first half harder than it should have. We did come out strong so that’s something we can build on.”  

CANADIAN MILESTONES 
Caledon, Ontario’s Lizzie Gibson earned her first international cap for Canada after coming off the bench in the second half. Asia Hogan-Rochester, making her 10th appearance in 15s jersey for Canada, scored her ninth international try. Pamphinette Buisa also reached a milestone, earning her 20th cap while wearing the number 20 jersey. 
 
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM 
Canada vs USA 
Seat Geek Stadium – Chicago, Illinois 
Friday April 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET 
Watch live on TSN and TSN+ 
 
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NEW ZEALAND  
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats / Ontario West (54 caps)  
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (42 caps)  
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (70 caps)  
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (42 caps)  
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (23 caps)  
6. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (41 caps)  
7. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Saracens (7 caps)  
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (42 caps)  
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (44 caps)  
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (24 caps)  
11. Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) – University of Ottawa / Markham Irish / FC Grenoble Amazones (1 cap)  
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (66 caps)  
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (26 caps)  
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC / Sharks (9 caps)  
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (20 caps)  
 
FINISHERS  
16. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish (1 cap)  
17. Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – Ealing Trailfinders / University of Ottawa (6 caps)  
18. Cassandra Tuffnail (Heidelberg, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders (1 cap)  
19. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (5 caps)  
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish / Bristol Bears (19 caps)  
21. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University / Quebec East (Uncapped)  
22. Corinne Frechette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval / Québec East (1 cap)   
23. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University / Bristol Bears (1 cap)   
 
SUPPORT RUGBY CANADA 
Canadian rugby is on the rise, with record participation nationwide and major international success. Highlights include a silver medal at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, qualification for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and Sophie de Goede being named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year. 

Now is the time to build on this momentum. Rugby Canada is committed to inspiring the next generation while continuing to represent Canada on the global stage through its One Squad program, uniting all our national teams. 

With the support of donors across the country, Rugby Canada provides world-class training, competition, and development opportunities. Contributions help strengthen our women’s and men’s national teams, support successful 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cup and 2028 Olympic campaigns, and grow the pipeline of future Canadian rugby players. 

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