Canada smash Fiji 65–7 in ruthless World Cup display

Canada produced a commanding performance to open their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign, crushing Fiji 65–7 in a Pool B encounter that featured eleven tries, six of which came from standout performer Julia Schell.

The Canadian side dominated proceedings from the outset and never allowed Fiji a way back into the match.

The scoring began early, with captain Sophie de Goede crashing over in the sixth minute and converting her own try to make it 7–0. Gillian Boag followed with a try in the 14th minute, though de Goede was off target with the conversion.

Canada then faced a setback in the 18th minute when Taylor Perry was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Despite being a player down, Canada remained in control.

Caroline Crossley added Canada’s third try in the 22nd minute, and this time de Goede was back on target with the boot making it 19-0.

Alysha Corrigan rounded off the first-half scoring in the 29th minute with another try, though the conversion was missed. Canada went into halftime with a solid 24–0 lead.

Fiji briefly sparked hope with a try from Kolora Lomani in the 43rd minute, which was successfully converted by Keleni Marawa to cut the deficit to 24–7. But that was as good as it got for the Fijians.

Schell’s scoring spree began in the 50th minute, and she would go on to deliver a sensational six-try performance. Her first was followed by another just two minutes later, although the second conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Schell completed her hat-trick in the 54th minute, with de Goede converting to extend the lead to 43–7.

Schell continued her dominance with a fourth try in the 60th minute.. Then in the 68th minute, she struck again—moments after Fiji’s Bulou Vasuturaga was yellow-carded for a high tackle, which was soon upgraded to red after bunker review. De Goede’s conversion made it 55–7.

Two minutes later, Schell scored her sixth try of the match making it to 60-7. Karen Paquin closed out the match with Canada’s final try in the 76th minute, though the conversion was off target. Canada sealed the match 65–7, recording a resounding victory in their tournament opener.

Canada XV: Kassil, Boag, Menin, de Goede, O'Donnell, Crossley, Forteza, Senft, Pelletier, Perry, Bermudez, Tessier, Symonds, Corrigan, Schell

Reserves: Tuttosi, Hunt, DeMerchant, Beukeboom, Paquin, Smith, Apps, Seumanutafa

Fiji XV: Senivutu, Tawake, Robanakadavu, Coates, Nakesa, Daunimoala, Fisher, Komaitai, Railumu, Kinita, Adi Tove, Neihamu, Adivitaloga, Delaiwau, Vueti

Reserves: Naliva, Vasuturaga, Matarugu, Serevi, Naisewa, Lomani, Luvu, Nailolo