The Canadian players celebrate their famous victory over New Zealand. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

On the eve of International Women’s Day in March, Rugby Canada put out a crowdfunding call for one million Canadian dollars ($725,000) with an unequivocal “mission” statement: Win Rugby World Cup 2025 .

The declaration – codename MWRWC – was certainly a bold one. The Maple Leafs have never won the tournament and, having reached the semi-final, faced a six-time world champion New Zealand team that had not tasted defeat in the knockout stage since 1991.

Yet, one pulsating performance later, they stand 80 minutes away from completing their mission.

A 34-19 victory over New Zealand in Bristol, England on Friday rocketed world No. 2 Canada into just its second-ever Women’s Rugby World C

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