Black Ferns v Canada Delayed as Severe Storms Hit Kansas City

The Black Ferns' Pacific Four clash against Canada in Kansas City has been delayed due to severe weather and a tornado watch, with a new target kickoff set.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 4:13 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

New Kickoff Target

Tournament organisers are currently monitoring the situation and have set a tentative new kickoff time of 12:30 pm NZST.

Safety First: The decision to delay was made in the interest of player and spectator safety as severe "inclement weather" moved through the Missouri region.

Tornado Watch: Local weather services have placed Kansas City under alert, a common but serious occurrence in the American Midwest during the spring months.

High Stakes in the Pacific Four

The delay adds further tension to a match already loaded with narrative. This is the first meeting between the two sides since Canada famously knocked the New Zealand women out of the Rugby World Cup semifinals last September.