BRISTOL - Canada head coach Kevin Rouet, captain Alex Tessier (pictured with ball), Mastercard Player of the Match Justine Pelletier, Sophie de Goede, Julia Schell and Asia Hogan-Rochester react to their win over New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday.

Kevin Rouet, head coach

On Canada's great, disciplined performance:

"Defensively it was good rugby and offensively in the first half when we scored a lot of tries, it was good to see. I need to review the game. I'm already lost."

On how pleased he is about the performance:

"I'm excited already. I said to the girls to stop crying because we have a job to do in eight days. That's the mindset. We need to finish the job and be ready in eight days."

On having the team to win the Rugby World Cup:

"I felt it already one and a half years ago that we could do something and I am happy we are one game away from achieving what we want. I am excited for next weekend. I want it to be next weekend now."

Alex Tessier, captain

On whether Canada can play any better:

"No. That's exactly where we are supposed to be. That was the goal, one step at a time. Now we will focus on the final next weekend."

On the defensive performance:

"I was pretty proud of the girls for the effort. It was high intensity. That was our game plan, to put them under pressure. We did a good job on that and we managed to turn the ball over."

On going all the way in the tournament:

"That's the plan. We still believe. We are going to be ready for next weekend, we are super excited, that was a huge boost in confidence today and we are going to be ready for next Saturday."

Justine Pelletier, Mastercard Player of the Match

On their super form:

"That was crazy, a lot of tempo and a lot of rugby. It's fun to play rugby and we showed what can be inspiring rugby."

On what it took to beat the Black Ferns:

"A lot of grit, a lot of resilience, a lot of hard work. It's not just one game, it's three years of hard work and hustle. Thanks to everyone for their support."

On whether she would prefer to play France or England in the final:

"We'll take whoever. We want the best rugby so may the next winner be our next opponent."

Sophie de Goede

On reaching the final:

"We have one more job left to do, but huge relief and excitement and pride after that match. We have so much respect for the Black Ferns, they are such an incredible outfit, six-time world champs. We knew it was going to take an incredible performance to beat them and I am just really proud we were able to put that out on the field and keep control in that game."

On the belief in the squad:

"We've defied the odds over and over again and that has a way of bringing you together, propelling you forward and fostering that knowledge in the group that we can overcome anything. I think you saw that today against the six-time champion Black Ferns team and I am very proud that we were able to do that."

On the key to the win:

"The defensive focus was huge this week. Our attack has been firing all tournament so we put trust in our ability to fire in attack, but we knew we needed to do a big job on defence, keeping getting out and putting pressure on them and I think that's why you saw that result."

On a message to those who helped them crowd-fund to get to the Rugby World Cup:

"Thank you so much for your support. We have one more job left to do for you guys. The dream that we've all had is for us to win the World Cup, and getting to the World Cup final is an important step in doing that! We are going to do everything we can to prepare this week to make you all proud back home. Words can't express how much we appreciate your support."

Julia Schell

On how it felt taking such a commanding lead:

"Starting so strong gave us great momentum. Even when things weren’t going our way, our belief never wavered."

On the importance of conceding no penalties in the first half:

"Honestly, it was huge. I obviously (as a full-back) have such a great view of how our front-line defends, and it’s so impressive seeing when they pick their moments to go for the ball. The decision-making, especially around the breakdown today, was amazing."

On breaking the streak that for the first time since 1998, neither New Zealand's men's or women's team will hold a Rugby World Cup:

"I didn’t know that! They’re a world-class team on both sides for a reason, and all credit to them. But that’s so cool for Canadian Women and rugby in Canada in general, it means a lot for us."

On who she thinks Canada will face in the final:

"People didn’t think we were going to win today, so you never know who’s going to pull it out. Don’t rule out France; they play some great rugby."

On whether she’s been part of a more complete team performance:

"No, definitely not. That’s the beauty of having a team that’s stayed relatively the same over the past three years. We’ve built something so special, and I’ve never experienced that kind of chemistry on the pitch before."

Asia Hogan-Rochester

On how she feels:

"I feel a lot and yet nothing at the same time. We have a final in eight days, so a lot to celebrate, especially with Karen (Paquin) reaching her 50th cap. It’s really nice to come away with the win for her and for all the people who’ve come before us."

On what the game felt like from her perspective:

"As a winger, I see a lot of the field and everything that's happening in the middle of the field, and every time I looked up, there was so much space ahead of me. When we scored twice within the first 10 minutes, I think it really set the tone for the rest of the game."

On the mood at half-time:

"At half-time, the message was to just keep it 'Canadian'. That basically means just continuing to be brave, continuing to play with the flair that we have, and sticking to our plan."

On whether she is prouder now than when she reached the Rugby sevens s gold-medal final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

"Yeah, definitely. We were saying before the game, Canadians love a good semi-final. I think so many people on this team, whether they’ve been to four World Cups or whether, like me, it’s our first one, love the pressure and love living up to it."

On having an eight-day turnaround to the final:

"An eight-day turnaround is nice; it’s a lot more forgiving. This week was a six-day turnaround. So, getting any kind of rest we can is really nice. It’s also about enjoying the final week we have together."

On the impact she’s had on this squad in her first Rugby World Cup:

"It’s definitely what dreams are made of. I’ve looked up to so many wingers, and I’ve been trying to channel my inner Magali Harvey and Julianne Zussman and all the Canadian icons who have played in the back-three, and I’m honoured to be able to contribute to Canada, wearing that number 11 jersey."