The Canterbury Women's rugby team faces Hawke's Bay in a semi-final of the NZRU national women's competition at Rugby Park in Christchurch on Saturday hoping to continue their perfect record this season.

Canterbury's hopes will be high going into the match, which kicks off at midday. The team is unbeaten this season and got the better of Hawke's Bay at AMI Stadium 31-5 in round one.

More confidence boosters for coach Paul Kelly's team will be the victories over Auckland (for the first time ever) two weeks ago and Wellington at Christchurch Park last weekend. Kelly said: "I'm pretty happy with the results so far but we've still got some improving to do. We still haven't put together a real 80-minute performance yet."

Kelly said the loss of Captain and flanker Melissa Ruscoe to concussion in the match against Wellington would be a blow as the team enters the knockout phase of the competition. "We'll miss her leadership and experience but we have a strong squad of 25 and good replacements." Ruscoe has formed a formidable loose forward trio with No8 Casey Robertson and openside flanker Olivia Coady this season.

Other standout performers have been halfback Kendra Cocksedge, first-five and Captain Barbara Chittock and fullback Amiria Rule.

Goal-kicker Cocksedge has amassed 64 points from five games, including five tries.

Canterbury's results so far this season:
Beat Hawkes Bay 31-5, beat Manawatu 55-5, beat Otago 24-5, beat Auckland 20-15, beat Wellington 17-6.