Canadian women score historic rugby win over World Cup champion New Zealand

Fancy Bermudez scored two tries as Canada recorded a historic rugby win over New Zealand on Sunday in Christchurch, holding on to dispatch the reigning World Cup champion 22-19 and win the Pacific Four Series.

The Canadian women had lost all 17 previous meetings with the Black Ferns, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. The six-time world champions won 52-21 the last time they met, last July in Ottawa in the same tournament.

The closest Canada has come to a win was a 16-8 loss in Tauranga in June 2014, a match that marked the only time New Zealand had failed to score 20 points against Canada.

"I feel like we've been knocking on the door and pushing to make a statement on the world stage for Canada for a while now," said captain Sophie de Goede.

The milestone win moved the Canadian women to No. 2 in the world rankings behind England, replacing New Zealand and equalling their highest-ever position (last reached in November 2016). Canada started the tournament at No. 4, but moved past France into No. 3 after beating Australia 33-14.

"We worked so hard for the last, well it feels like for ever, and then having this outcome," said an emotional Canadian prop DaLeaka Menin who earned her 55th cap

The Black Ferns have never been lower than No. 2 in the rankings, which were introduced in February 2016.

"We let them get on top of us," said New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Simon. "Just little things that we could have fixed. Congratulations to them."

New Zealand led 14-10 after an entertaining first half that showcased a resolute and physical Canadian defence with de Goede leading the way. The Canadians made 103 tackles in the hard-nosed half, compared to 46 for the Black Ferns.

Penalties continued to hamper New Zealand in