Well Done to Canada’s Women!!!

Although, our Resident Scribe is in the process of packing his bags and taking a leave of absence for the next 9 days for a family holiday, he like us felt that he simply couldn’t leave without a brief recognition of the remarkable achievement by Canada’s extraordinary Women in booking their place in next weekend’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Final where they will face off against tournament hosts England.

That Semi-Final performance against New Zealand was perhaps one of the most incredible displays of skill and determination we’ve witnessed in a very long time by any team in either the Men or Women’s game. We were confident that Canada could beat New Zealand, albeit in what was likely to be a close fought and tense match. If you told us that Canada would run in 3 tries in the space of the first 24 minutes against 6 times World Champions New Zealand, we probably would have asked you what paralell universe you lived in. After last Friday’s full throttle demolition of the reigning World Champions by Canada, we now believe that in reality, the sky is the limit for this remarkable group of Canadian Women.

A Quick Postscript on Canada’s Incredible Semi-Final Performance against New Zealand

So Canada are off to the Rugby World Cup Final against England next Saturday! That was a game for the ages. We were literally blown away by Canada’s performance. The speed of play, the clinical execution, the sight of fifteen women playing as one and perhaps best of all the resolve to stay calm and focused in the face of a determined onslaught from New Zealand in the final 30 minutes – it all had to be seen to be believed.

Right from the moment of walking onto the pitch at Bristol’s Ashton Gate, Canada looked utterly composed and if anything the more relaxed of the two teams, and completely unphased by the magnitude of the task in front of them and the sense of occassion. These are all traits which will stand them in good stead in front of 80,000 passionate supporters, the vast majority of whom will be English, when they face off next weekend against England to determine who will lift the ultimate prize.

Canada are no longer dark horses or underdogs. They are now genuine contenders plain and simple. England will be an even bigger challenge next weekend, but the remarkable ability of this team to take each match in its stride should give them as good a chance as any of spoiling England’s party. If Canada can keep their discipline as they did so well against New Zealand and silence the crowd, there is no reason they shouldn’t consider themselves as potential World Champions next Saturday.

England are unlikely to let them play at the same speed they showed against New Zealand and are more likely to try and bog them down in a war of attrition in the physical battles around the rucks. Canada are unlikely to get the space out wide they were allowed to play in against New Zealand and the physicality England will bring to the contest will mean that Canada’s high tempo passing and kicking game may not be allowed to come to the fore. Canada will need to ensure that they make smart decisions under intense pressure on when to spread the ball quickly and when to hang onto it and go to ground. Against England, their passing game may be more problematic, and the handling errors more frequent if Canada don’t adapt.

Are we confident that Canada can rock the rugby world next Saturday at Twickenham next Saturday? Absolutely! Will it be easy on the biggest stage this remarkable group of Women have ever seen? Absolutely not, and despite Canada’s brilliance, there is no denying that England will go into Saturday’s Final as the favorites. However, if Canada can maintain the same extraordinary sense of calm and focus they showed when lining up against New Zealand this past weekend and maintain it for the full eighty minutes, there is no reason not to think that it could be 23 Women in Red jerseys who will be hoisting that most cherished piece of silverware on Saturday. They have the skill, ability, cohesion, and most importantly, the belief and confidence to get the job done as far as we’re concerned.

Whatever happens next Saturday at Twickenham, we as Canadians will be unbelievably proud of this exemplary group of Women athletes who have shown the World that they are a force to be reckoned with now and for the forseeable future. They have demonstrated that ultimate sporting value of what it possible when you all pull together and play for each other.

So, from all of us here at the Lineout to our remarkable Canadian Women, we’ll be watching and cheering you on every step of the way next weekend. Make your dreams a reality, and whatever the result know you will always hold a special place in this country’s sporting history and our hearts and will have made us proud! GO CANADA GO!

Canada vs England – Saturday, September 27th – 10:30 AM (Eastern) – TSN 1 and 4, Stan Sport Australia (live and on demand)