Canadian women look to defy odds, upset England in Rugby World Cup semifinal

While the bookies and most everyone else expect top-ranked England to cruise to the Rugby World Cup title, Canada coach Kevin Rouet says his team has something to say about that.

The third-ranked Canadian women look to derail England's championship run when the two teams face off Friday night at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The top-ranked Red Roses, essentially a fully professional side, have won 29 straight since a 28-13 loss to New Zealand in July 2019 at the Women's Super Series in Chula Vista, Calif.

Bet365 has England at -225 to win the World Cup, meaning a $100 bet would return $144.44. Canada is listed at +3300, with a $100 wager returning $3,400.

"If we get success in the scrum, the maul and kicking battle, that's where we could just make them think 'Oh, it won't be an easy day,"' said the French-born coach. "Because that's how they win games against every team. Not being very creative but just being very strong in those three areas."

No. 2 New Zealand takes on No. 4 France in the other semifinal Saturday.

England's forwards accounted for all seven tries in the Red Roses' 41-5 quarter-final win over No. 6 Australia in nasty, wet conditions.

Canada defeated the sixth-ranked U.S. 32-11 in its quarter-final.

WATCH | Canada emerges victorious over U.S.:

Both England and Canada have had success with the maul off lineouts, driving the opposition pack backwards with the ball-carrier behind a phalanx of forwards rumbling forward like a steamroller. Done correctly, it's hard to stop without incurring a penalty.

Canada has options when it comes for kicking for territory in Alex Tessier, Elissa Alarie and Maddy Grant.

Rouet says centre Sara Kaljuvee, who had to leave the quarter-final in the seventh minute after