Chiefs star Menin: Canada out to prove they are no underdog

Exeter Chiefs prop DaLeaka Menin insists Canada are happy to go under the radar but feels they are ready to show the world what they are truly capable of.

Canada have been ranked number two in the world since September 2024 and have breezed through their contests so far, scoring at least 40 points in each game and brushing aside Australia 46-5 in the last eight.

They now go head-to-head with reigning champions New Zealand for a place in the final and the Black Ferns go in as favourites – which Menin can’t help but take issue with.

“Calling us underdogs is an interesting choice, when we’ve been ranked second in the world for a good little while now,” said Menin.

“I think just because we haven’t been recognised for our rugby doesn’t mean our rugby hasn’t been there. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Exeter Chiefs Women (@exechiefswomen)

“If anything, this is just a moment where people are finally opening their eyes to the fact that we have been contenders, and just because we’re not a typical rugby nation doesn’t mean we’re not sitting up there with who they class as the big rugby countries. 

“To be honest, they can call us what they want. We know who we are. We know the level of rugby we bring, and we feel confident that whatever they want to call us we are going to bring a good show and bring some good rugby.”

Canada have a promising recent record against the Black Ferns. They beat New Zealand for the first time last May and have finished ahead of the Kiwis in the previous two WXV championships.

Their most recent encounter was a bruising 27-27 draw, the latest evidence that this Canadian side is different to those of the past.

“I’m very excited for the game,” Menin said. “In our last couple of games against New Zealand, we’ve had success.

“From the end of the last World Cup, we knew we didn’t achieve what we wanted to then, and the last three years the focus has been getting to this moment.

“Not a single game has gone by where we haven’t talked about the building process, and the fact that we want to get to this point.

“We’re excited to be back here. We’re excited to be back in a semi-final. We’re excited that we’re finally seeing the kind of rugby that Canada wants to play in our games.”

With one more hurdle to overcome until the decider at Twickenham and the chance to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time, it will be tough for Canada to keep their focus solely on their showdown in Bristol.

This is especially true given that they will likely have the opportunity to down the Red Roses in front of 80,000 people at Twickenham. 

Menin said: “Obviously, we have to get through this game first, but the final is our end goal, and I feel we have the confidence and believe we can do that. 

“England are a huge contender, and no one can sit here and say they’re not fantastic at what they do. As Canadians, we’ve played against them many times and have yet to achieve the success we want. 

“It would be amazing to be their first loss in what has been an insane number of games, and also put a flag in the ground that Canada is not an underdog. We’re a top rugby nation that can compete at the highest level.”