Kevin Rouet backs Canada to upset Black Ferns

Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has promised a thriller in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Ashton Gate.

Backing his side to pull off an upset, Rouet said: “Both teams are fun to watch play – fast, unpredictable, athletic people.”

Rouet praised both teams’ approach to rugby, adding: “It’s not exactly the same, but both teams want to play positive rugby. I like those kinds of teams, I like the way we play, I like the way New Zealand play, so I think it will be a good game.”

He also stressed his side’s confidence, saying: “We’ve scored a lot of points in this World Cup and we’re here to win, so we’re just going to go up with a lot of confidence. No one is unbeatable and we’re here to showcase our rugby.”

Reflecting on Canada’s progress in recent years, Rouet told his players: “The past three years, we can be proud of being consistent and that’s something hard for us to achieve.

"We are not number one in the rankings, we are number two but that’s good. We are here to win but no one can remove what we have done over the past three years, no matter the end of this adventure.”