Canada out of medal contention at rugby World Cup after loss to Kiwis
DUBLIN — Canada will not have a chance at a medal at the women’s rugby World Cup after losing 48-5 to New Zealand on Thursday in its final Pool A game.
Only the three pool winners and the top second-place team advance to the final four. Canada finished second in Pool A with nine points, and its fate was sealed when the United States finished second in Group B with 11 points following a 47-26 loss to defending champion England.
The Canadians, who were silver medallists at the 2014 World Cup, will play Wales in a fifth-place playoff match on Tuesday. England will face France in one semifinal, while New Zealand faces the United States in another.
“New Zealand is physically stronger, tactically stronger and technically stronger,” Canadian head coach Francois Ratier said. “When you face a better team, there’s not much else to say. The Black Ferns played better than us and they deserve the victory. Now, we’ll get some fresh blood in the lineup and prepare the future.”