Shoshanah Seumanutafa Scores Game-Winning Try in Canada Victory Over England
Canada secured a 24-21 victory over top-ranked England in WXV Global Series play on Friday at Toronto’s BMO Field, ending England’s 41-match undefeated run with a decisive try in the final minutes. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, a 27-year-old centre from White Rock, B.C., scored the game-winning try in the 78th minute after receiving a pass from Gabby Senft, fending off an English defender, and powering through some pain to touch down in the corner, The Globe and Mail reported. The match served as a rematch of the September 2025 Rugby World Cup final, where England defeated Canada 33-13 before a crowd of 81,885 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. Seumanutafa entered the Friday match in the 17th minute as a replacement for vice-captain Alex Tessier, who exited for a head injury assessment. The victory marked Canada’s first win against the Red Roses since a 52-17 triumph in July 2016, following a 26-26 draw in Exeter last month that had previously halted England’s win streak at 39 matches.
Global Club Journey and Pacific Roots Shape Seumanutafa’s Career
Seumanutafa spent the 2023 WXV tournament in New Zealand when she reached out to Crystal Kaua, then coach of the Chiefs Manawa women’s team in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition, offering her services at no cost. She flew to New Zealand in January 2024, played for Counties Manukau in the National Provincial Championship, and subsequently earned a two-season contract with the Hamilton-based Chiefs.
Her time in New Zealand allowed Seumanutafa to connect with her father Pose’s Samoan heritage and Maori culture, participating in the team’s ceremonial haka. Having an aunt living in Hamilton provided a local home base during her stint in the Southern Hemisphere. Following her tenure with the Chiefs, Seumanutafa is planning her next professional move to secure a contract with a club in Japan. Alongside her 15s international career with 29 appearances, she has also represented Canada in sevens rugby across seven tournaments on the HSBC SVNS circuit.
🚨 HISTORY IN TORONTO!Canada’s women’s rugby team has snapped world champions England’s incredible 41-match unbeaten run with a stunning 24-21 victory! 🍁🏉A late try by Shoshanah Seumanutafa sealed the historic win with under 3 minutes left on the clock.#Rugby #CanadaRugby… pic.twitter.com/bUjL8IaotJ
Upcoming Ottawa Rematch Finalizes WXV Series Schedule
Canada and England meet again on Friday in Ottawa for their final fixture of the WXV series. The upcoming match concludes the current international window following Friday’s milestone result in Toronto, which drew an audience that included Seumanutafa’s parents and aunt sitting near the corner where she scored her second career 15s international try.
More on Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Canada 24 England 21: Four weeks after holding them to draw, Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s late try secures home side’s first win over world champions in ten years in front of record crowd https://t.co/kiZdw5IM31 pic.twitter.com/Rrwj4z4Hkx
A HISTORIC VICTORY FOR CANADA 🇨🇦Canada's Women's Rugby Team wins 24-21 over England in Toronto.Scorers: Savannah Bauder (1T), Alysha Corrigan (1T), Daleaka Menin (1T), Shoshanah Seumanutafa (1T), Sophie de Goede (2C)#RugbyCA | #OneSquad | #EarnedNotGiven pic.twitter.com/vypmpMGpJo
Keep reading