DEFENCE WINS GAME
Maybe the testing attack of South Africa in the quarterfinals came at the right time for the Black Ferns.
But they will need to take it up another level to keep world No 2-ranked Canada’s forward pack at bay.
The Black Ferns made 252 tackles against the Boks, many of those thanks to No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker (26) and prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, who put in an outrageous shift to nail 21 tackles in 28 minutes in the first half.
Canada are massive up front, led by Sophie de Goede. They love to keep the ball in hand and are hard to bring down.
The Black Ferns will need to front up, put in the big hits and get over the ball to keep them out.
The Black Ferns gave away a chunk of penalties in that opening spell — 12 for the game — and Canada will punish them if they make the same mistake in the semifinal.
QUICK OUT OF THE BLOCKS
The Black Ferns have been slow to start by their standards and will need a fast start against Canada to catch them on the hop.
They have piled on the points in the second half of all their games so far and there are promising signs in still being able to get the job done against South Africa with only 35% possession and 45% territory.
But they need more ball in hand and a chance to spread Canada wide to open the gaps of their stoic defence.
The Black Ferns need to put the pressure on Canada early and not leave it until overtime like they did in their 27-27 draw against the Canadians in Christchurch in May.
Canada have scored in the opening 15 minutes of their four World Cup games and the Black Ferns need to be on high alert to shut that down.
GIVE HER THE BALL
Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the name everyone is talking about at this World Cup — and who can blame them?
The 18-year-old New Zealand outside back has broken on to the scene and leads all players in tries (eight), points (52), clean breaks (12) and metres carried (383) at the tournament.
That is impressive considering she has played just seven tests in the black jersey. She is unknown to most teams, which has caught them offguard and unsure how to pin down the elusive winger.
When the Black Ferns keep the ball in hand and swing it wide to Sorensen-McGee, more often than not she finishes.
That, paired with the prowess of fellow winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and the unpredictability of sevens star Jorja Miller in the loose forwards, is a recipe for success.
