Jorja Miller ruled out of New Zealand v Canada Rugby World Cup semi-final
Star flanker Jorja Miller will miss the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup semi-final against Canada due to a leg complaint sustained in the quarter-final.
Match Details
Fixture: Canada v New Zealand
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol
Date: Friday 19 September
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Coverage: Live on INLIBER Two, INLIBER Radio and INLIBER Sport digital platforms
Team News
New Zealand will be without 21-year-old flanker Jorja Miller after she left the field early in the 46-17 quarter-final win over South Africa with a leg complaint. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu steps into the starting XV, one of four changes made by the Black Ferns.
Maia Joseph makes way for Risi Pouri-Lane at scrum-half, while Sylvia Brunt and Tanya Kalounivale join the midfield and front row respectively.
Canada have named an unchanged matchday 23 following their 46-5 victory over Australia. Open-side flanker Karen Paquin will win her 50th cap, and Saracens second-row Sophie de Goede leads the side into the semi-final.
Head-to-Head
Canada claimed their first-ever win over New Zealand in May 2024 with a 22-19 victory in Christchurch, and forced a 27-27 draw in their next meeting. Head coach Kevin Rouet said: "We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that. We have every reason to believe that we can win this game."
Looking Ahead
The winner will face either England or France in the final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 27 September.
Miller’s absence is a significant blow for New Zealand, while Canada head into the semi-final buoyed by consistent recent performances against their rivals.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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