Canadian women’s rugby captain Sophie De Goede of Victoria says the emergent national side is “learning how to win.” The next lesson in that regard is today in the World Cup bronze-medal game against France at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, (7:30 p.m. PT on TSN).
Both squads gave it heart and soul in tight semifinal losses last week to England and New Zealand, respectively.
“I’m really proud to be Canadian and think there’s a really bright future ahead of us,” said the Oak Bay Secondary product De Goede.
sa国际传媒 will get a chance to make that statement today against France, which was one missed penalty kick away at the death from beating New Zealand in a dramatic one-point loss in the semifinals. sa国际传媒 gave heavily-favoured England, which is now up to 30 consecutive Test wins, all it could handle before losing 26-19 in the other semifinal.
“Give us a chance and we will be back. We are confident we can come back and win third place,” said Canadian head coach Kevin Rouet.
“France are a good team, and we will have to be at our best to get the bronze medal, but achieving that has been our team’s sole focus this week and we’ll be ready to play when we arrive to Eden Park,” added Rouet.
Starting alongside No. 8 De Goede today will be former University of Victoria Vikes star Paige Farries, a fleet and lethal threat down the wing. UVic Vikes player Sara Kaljuvee, who brings quickness from the Olympics and Commonwealth and Pan Am Games in sevens rugby, will start at outside-centre. Elissa Alarie from Westshore RFC, silver medallist at the 2014 World Cup and sevens player last year in the Tokyo Olympics, will start at full-back in her final game for sa国际传媒. Karen Paquin, a 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist with the Langford-based Canadian sevens team, will start at flanker. UVic Vikes and Castaway Wanderers player Gabrielle Senft will be dressed in reserve off the bench, as will be veteran lock Tyson Beukeboom from Cowichan RFC, as she looks to move alone into second place in sa国际传媒 career caps.
New to the line-up will be Sara Svoboda as a starter and Emma Taylor with the reserves.
“We felt the roster could benefit from some fresh energy at this stage of the tournament,” said Rouet.
The World Cup final between England and New Zealand is at 10:30 p.m. PT tonight on TSN.
