WXV Global Series England run ends in Canada defeat
Canada beat England 24-21 in Toronto, ending the Red Roses’ 41-match unbeaten run with a try in the 77th minute. England had led 14-5 at half-time, but Canada…
Canada’s late rally ended a long stretch of England dominance in Toronto. The wxv global series england clash finished 24-21 on Friday, giving the Red Roses their first defeat since the 2022 World Cup final.
Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the match-winning try in the 77th minute, snapping England’s 41-match unbeaten run. Canada held on through the closing minutes after the substitute crossed for the decisive score.
England had built a 14-5 half-time lead, but Canada kept the contest open after play resumed. The result gives the hosts momentum before the teams meet again next Saturday in Ottawa.
Canada turns the match late
Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada in the 15th minute. England responded just before the break, with Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison scoring quickfire tries to put the visitors ahead.
Both teams crossed soon after the restart. DaLeaka Menin’s try in the 63rd minute kept Canada within reach, setting up the late finish.
Then Seumanutafa struck. A loud home crowd at BMO Field celebrated as Canada took the lead, and the side managed to protect it until the final whistle.
The match opened a two-game Rugby Rematch Tour between the growing rivals. It also marked Canada’s return to home soil after finishing runner-up to the Red Roses at last year’s World Cup.
For England, the loss ends a run the team had taken pride in. Captain Megan Jones said the players knew that being at the top would make them a target. She said the team took “huge pride” in the unbeaten sequence.
Head coach John Mitchell said England would focus on what the side could learn from the defeat. “We're not driven by outcome. We're disappointed by the result but there was some very good things in our performance tonight. So we'll stick to our processes,” he said.
Mitchell added that the setback could give the squad a reason to look for more in its performance. He said the group had more to offer and might need to review the reasons that drive its members.
Rematch next in Ottawa
Canada’s Justine Pelletier described the victory as significant beyond the final score, pointing to the home crowd and the atmosphere around the match. She said Canada had believed for several years it could beat England and needed to put every detail together.
The teams drew in their previous meeting last month in Exeter. Canada’s last win over England before Friday came in 2016 at the Women’s Rugby Super Series.
The sides are scheduled to play again next Saturday in Ottawa. England will then complete the away leg of its Global Series fixtures against the USA in New Jersey on October 30.
Canada’s 24-21 win ended England’s 41-match unbeaten run.
Source: skysports.com
