A tough pill to swallow.
The Warriors' season ended with a playoff defeat, the All Blacks suffered a historic loss against South Africa and now the dream-crushing Black Ferns defeat.
Canada punched their ticket to the World Cup final on Saturday morning (NZT), with a 34-19 win over the Black Ferns.
Six-time world champions New Zealand were undefeated in the Women's Rugby World Cup for 11 years - but that win streak is now over rover.
Here's how media across the globe reacted to the Blacks Ferns World Cup loss against Canada.
BBC
Fairytale.
The word quoted in the headline of the BBC's post match piece.
The other word: "seismic".
Dejected Black Ferns at full-time of their World Cup semifinal loss to Canada. Photo: www.photosport.nz
The media outlet honed in on the Black Ferns past World Cup wins, but made it clear this year's semi-final game - and quite possibly the 2025 World Cup title - was Canada's right from the get-go.
"A sensational first-half performance, including three tries in the opening 25 minutes, saw the number two-ranked side in the world gain control of the game right from the opening whistle.
"You don't beat New Zealand in World Cups. That was a statement of intent for whoever they play next week," the article read, quoting former England captain Katy Daley-Mclean.
RugbyPass
RugbyPass analysis looked at the game's heartbreak and history - how Canada "dismantled" the Blacks Ferns for a historic win and how it broke Black Fern hearts.
It was indeed a historic win for Canada, who will play in their first Rugby World Cup final in more than a decade.
The team were described as having "set the tone", with Player of the Match Justine Pelletier scoring the first try within just seven minutes.
"This is a team that can hurt you in many ways - out wide, up front, from deep - and they inflicted maximum damage on a New Zealand team not used to losing World Cup matches," one RugbyPass opinion piece read.
The loss broke iwi hearts, with one RugbyPass piece leaning on the words of Blacks Ferns coach Allan Bunting.
"Sport can be tough sometimes - it can break your heart. We get another opportunity to play together as a team and play for our country."
The RugbyPass player-comparison piece highlighted the mahi from front row trio Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby and Tanya Kalounivale, whom it said "carried hard, scrummaged well and gave their side a foothold".
Canada players celebrating victory over the Black Ferns. Photo: www.photosport.nz
The Guardian
UK newspaper The Guardian said "no-one anticipated the manner of the win".
The paper's post-match article labelled the Canadian's play as "masterclass", and said they used their "pace, patience and instincts".
"Canada, who crowdfunded their preparations for this tournament and are semi-professional, went in as underdogs, a title they will surely not be labelled with again, after a performance for the ages," the article read.
The underdog sentiment continued.
"Canada may be underdogs again for the final, particularly if they face England, but that will be a mere title."
Rugby 365
The website Rugby365 also honed in on the underdog angle, running the headline: "Canada, the dark horse, ends Black Ferns' reign".
It acknowledged the handywork of Pelletier, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds and Sophie de Goede of Canada.
"Justine Pelletier was a menace and a trickster, not only scoring a try, but also creating magic," the article read. "Canada's line speed was immense and it was clear that the Black Ferns were not used to it."
The article noted the Blacks Fern getting "back on the horse", but unfortunately "had a mountain to climb".
Associated Press
"The Women's Rugby World Cup will have a new queen."
That sentence led American outlet Associated Press' article on the Women's World Cup game.
The article labelled Canada's win as "shocking" - not because they won, but because of how much they won by, and it didn't hold back on breaking down New Zealand's performance.
"Two errors by New Zealand fullback Renee Holmes and two pieces of skill by fly half Taylor Perry led to Canada's 12-0 dream start in as many minutes.
"New Zealand came in with a tournament-leading 93 percent successful tackle rate, but missed 18 tackles in the first half."
This article was also republished by Canadian news network CBC News.
Moving forward, the Black Ferns must now fight for bronze in a match against either England or France next Sunday, while Canada eye up the World Cup title.
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