Canadian Women's Rugby Team Reaches World Cup Final, CFL Announces Rule Changes
+ World Athletics Championship summary Canadian sports quick hits, marquee matchups
This past week, the Canadian Women’s National Rugby Team took down perennial powerhouse New Zealand in a 34-19 semi-final victory, punching their ticket to the World Cup final.
We know — it’s a big deal and for multiple reasons.
First and foremost, all but three of the 32 roster spots on the World Cup squad belong to U SPORTS grads, with Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, and Carlonine Crossley being the only three players on the roster not from the U SPORTS pipeline.
With Canada’s semi-final win against New Zealand — a team that defines dominance in rugby on the world stage, having won six of the last seven World Cups — Canada marked the third defeat that has come at the feet of the New Zealand national team in World Cup history, their first tournament loss in 11 years, their first loss that has come in the knockout stage in 34 years, and Canada’s first-ever win against the Black Ferns on the international stage.
This is Canada’s second appearance in a Women’s Rugby World Cup, having lost the 2014 final to England 21-9.
The Women’s National Team will face off against England tomorrow (Saturday) at 11:00 am EDT.
A rematch of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup
CFL Announces Massive Rule Changes
The CFL is going to be looking a little different in the coming years.
This past Monday, CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston announced several key changes to the CFL’s format that will take effect in the 2026 and 2027 seasons, sparking innovation with a goal of increased entertainment.
The changes coming to Canadian football fans will be implemented across a two-year plan. Some of the most notable changes are the repositioning of the goal posts, which will be moved to the back of the end zone, and the resizing of the field of play.
World Athletics Championship Roundup
The World Athletics Championships wrapped up this past weekend in Tokyo, Japan.
Canada took home three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze!
Richmond, British Columbia’s Evan Dunfee was the first Canadian to strike gold, taking first place in the 35KM race walk.
To stay up to date with all of the latest Canadian running and Track & Field news, be sure to follow PRSVRE Running
Canadian Sports Quick Hits:
Canada’s Marie-Alex Bélanger and Lea Monkhouse qualified for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, taking down Puerto Rico in the gold medal match at the NORCECA 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualification Tournament.
Canada’s Sam Schachter and Jonny Pickett punched their ticket to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships with a bronze medal victory over Nicaragua at the NORCECA 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualification Tournament.
The Laval Rouge et Or women’s soccer team advanced to the FISU University World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over the University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina. They will face the Shanghai University of Sport tomorrow (Saturday) at 3:30 a.m. EDT.
Guelph is off to a rough start. After finishing 6-2 last season and entering this year as the No. 7–ranked team in the nation, the Gryphons are just 1-4 following a 25-15 loss at the hands of McMaster.
Laurier’s Ethan Jordan shined in the nation’s capital with a massive 94-yard touchdown in the second quarter and an overall stat line that included eight receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns this past week against the Ottawa Gee-Gees.