Quarterfinals Recap
The quarterfinals delivered a mix of dominant victories and hard-fought comebacks, setting the stage for the highly anticipated semifinals.
- New Zealand vs. South Africa: The defending champions, New Zealand, faced a stern test from a determined South African side. Despite being tied 10-10 at halftime, the Black Ferns’ powerful second-half performance saw them pull away for a commanding 46-17 victory. The win was built on a monumental defensive effort, with New Zealand making a tournament-high 283 tackles, essentially making a tackle every eight seconds. Their efficiency with the ball was just as remarkable. They scored eight tries from only 91 carries, meaning a try was scored for every 12th carry, compared to South Africa’s one try for every 59th carry.
- Canada vs. Australia: Canada put on a statement performance, overwhelming Australia with a 46-5 win. The Canadians, led by Player of the Match Sophie de Goede, secured their place in a sixth Rugby World Cup semifinal. A key takeaway for Canada is the performance of Julia Schell, who is the only player left in the competition to have played every single minute of every match so far, a total of 320 minutes.
- England vs. Scotland: England continued their perfect record, defeating Scotland 40-8 in a match where their strategic kicking game shone. The Red Roses kicked 37 times for over a kilometer, both tournament highs. England’s confidence in this approach was highlighted by their lineout defense. Despite Scotland having 19 lineouts to England’s 13, Scotland only won 11 of them, with England’s pressure forcing eight turnovers.
- France vs. Ireland: In a tense, rain-soaked match, France staged a thrilling comeback from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat Ireland 18-13. The victory was a testament to their incredible defensive resilience. France made 252 tackles in the match, the second-highest tally of the tournament, winning despite having only 35 percent of the possession.
Semifinals Preview
The Rugby World Cup 2025 semifinals are set, and it’s a showdown of undefeated titans. The final four teams, England, Canada, New Zealand, and France, have all dominated their way to this stage. What makes this round even more compelling is that it’s a pair of rematches: a Pacific Four battle and a Six Nations rivalry renewed.
New Zealand vs. Canada: A Historical Shift
Historically, this matchup has been a one-sided affair. New Zealand’s dominance over Canada was once crushing, with the Black Ferns holding a record of 17 wins to just one. The sheer number of points and tries scored reflects years of lopsided victories, making the historical stats a testament to New Zealand’s power.
However, the narrative has completely changed over the last two years. Canada’s single victory, a narrow 22-19 win in the 2024 Pacific Four Series, was a pivotal moment. The 27-27 draw earlier this year proved that this semi-final is no longer a foregone conclusion. The historical stats are now just a backdrop to a fierce and evenly matched modern rivalry.
France vs. England: A Battle of Streaks
This rivalry is defined by one team’s unprecedented dominance and the other’s desperate quest to end it. England has won 16 straight matches against France and is on an astonishing 31-game winning streak overall. The cumulative points and tries are heavily in England’s favor, but the real drama is in the recent results.
The Red Roses’ most recent Six Nations victory was a decisive 40-6 win, but before that, their last encounter was an agonizingly close 43-42 thriller. This is more than a match; it’s a battle of streaks and sheer will. For France to finally topple the world’s best, they will have to play a perfect game.
You can continue following our coverage of the 2025 RWC here: https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2024/10/22/2025-rugby-world-cup-schedule-results-how-to-watch/.
