Canada secrued a 24-21 win against top-ranked England at BMO Field in Toronto this Friday. A 77th-minute score from Shoshanah Semanutafa halted the English team's 41-game unbeaten streak.
The 18,621 fans who shattered North American records
The atmosphere at BMO Field reached a fever pitch as a massive crowd witnessed a seismic shift in women's rugby. According to The Canadian Press, the 18,621 spectators in attendance set a new stand-alone record for a women's rugby match in North America.
This turnout significantly surpassed the previous mark of 11,453 set during a match in Ottawa on August 1, 2025. The presence of such a large audience at the home of Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts signals a growing commercial and cultural appetite for the WXV Global Series in Canada.
Semanutafa’s 77th-minute dash ends England's dominance
The match was a grueling contest that remained undecided until the final minutes. Shoshanah Semanutafa provided the decisive moment, racing down the wing to score a try in the 77th minute that gave Canada the lead. This late surge allowed the host nation to secure a 24-21 victory, effectively halting England's 41-game unbeaten streak.
Canada's scoring was bolstered by tries from Savannah Bauder, Alysha Corrigan, and Daleaka Menin. While England's Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison, and Sarah Bern all found the try line, they were unable to overcome the Canadian defense in the closing staes . the report notes that England had not tasted defeat since their 2022 World Cup final loss to New Zealand.
The tactical return of Sophie de Goede and Asia Hogan-Rochester
Canada's success was underpinned by the return of key personnel to the starting lineup. Captain Sophie de Goede, the 2025 World Rugby women's player of the year, and Asia Hogan-Rochester both rejoined the starting 15 after missing the previous match against France. Their presence helped stabilize a Canadian side that is rapidly closing the gap on the world's elite.
This victory follows a month of intense competition for Canada, which includes a 26-26 draw against England in Exeter. As the team builds toward the 2029 World Cup in Australia, the stability provided by head coach Kevin Rouet—whose contract was recently extended through 2030—appears to be paying dividends. The team also faces the retirement of Tyson Beukeboom, the coutnry's most-capped rugby player, marking the end of a significant era.
Uncertainty surrounding Alex Tessier’s injury status
Despite the jubilation, the Canadian squad faces immediate concerns regarding player availability for their next fixture. The match saw vice-captain Alex Tessier leave the game early in the first half due to an injury, leaving her future participation in the Rugby Rematch Tour in doubt. While the team prepares for their October 23 match in Ottawa, it remains unclear how Tessier's absence might force further tactical shifts, such as the recent position swap between Taylor Perry and Tessier.
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