Numbers Game

August 5, 2014.

Twenty miles south of Paris, in the suburb of Marcoussis, a Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B match plays out.

The final whistle brings proceedings to a halt. At long odds, Ireland, thanks to a 70^th minute penalty kick, upsets New Zealand 17-14.

So ends a remarkable 23-year unbeaten World Cup run for the Kiwis. Their only previous defeat all the way back in 1991, a narrow 7-0 semifinal loss to the USA at the inaugural global showpiece.

Fast forward to present day. New Zealand looks to extend a new, unbeaten World Cup winning streak. Champions in 2017, then again in 2022, the Black Ferns aim for a third consecutive title in 2025, their seventh through the nine competitions.

4069 days without a World Cup loss, some 11 years and 2 months.

Still, waiting on a much-anticipated semi-final, stands a proud, physical, and highly skilled Canadian squad.

Indeed, while the majority of pundits do predict a New Zealand victory, others are not quite so sure. Canada, not shy about its ambitions. An underdog of sorts, taking confidence and removing fear following a recent pre-tournament win and draw vs the supposedly indomitable southerners. Boldly launching “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup”, as showcased by fundraising $1 million dollars to pay for various training camps, tours and player expenses.

September 19. Bristol, England. Perfect conditions for the 7pm kickoff at the newly renovated Ashton Gate stadium. Pin drop silence during the traditional pre game New Zealand haka. The tension palpable, 27,000 fans packed to the rafters.

If the Canadian players and coaching staff stress about any psychological hurdles to overcome, they need not have worried.

Rather, the team comes flying out of the blocks, ripping into New Zealand with an unbridled ferocity and passion. Solid set piece work, defensive discipline, then all out attack. Front foot ball. Lightning-fast rucks. Accuracy. Wave after wave of pace and precision. Allied to an almost telepathic understanding between players, who combine to shred the Black Ferns defence.

Five tries then finished courtesy of “icings on the cake”, including a delicate chip kick, an outrageous dummy, a long, floated pass, a powerful handoff, a silky set of hands, a short side snipe, a sumptuous offload, a slashing run against the grain.

Best of all, total trust in a game plan drawn up by Kevin Rouet and his coaching staff, as exhibited by the exhilarating freedom in Canada’s play.

7-0, then 12-0, then 17-0. Three stunning tries in the first 24 minutes. Shocked into replying, gritty and resilient New Zealand close to 17-7, only for Canada to answer back in short order. 24-7, as the referee blows for half time.

As in every important match, a strong start to the second half is critical. Canada obliges, kicking deep, chasing hard, smashing everything in a black jersey. A turnover sees the Canadians apply even more pressure, soon rewarded with captain Alex Tessier crossing for the fifth try. 31-7.

Unimaginably, the game tempo then seems to pick up even further. The dangerous and increasingly desperate Black Ferns start to dominate possession, powering forward close to the breakdown areas, then playing wide to a set of talented backs.

The result is two New Zealand tries. The second, in the 65^th minute, takes the score to 31-19.

Given their never say die attitude and history of thrilling, last gasp comebacks, the Kiwis mount a final series of raids. One glorious chance to further narrow the score line goes abegging, thanks to a courageous Canadian goal line stand and an absolutely superb, scrambled clearance by lock Sophie de Goede.

Nerves jangle, as the game moves into the final stretch. Still just a two-score margin. The clock ticks away, from a New Zealand perspective speeds by. From a Canada perspective, crawls along. Tackle after tackle goes in, the Maple Leaf defensive line bending but not breaking.

At long last, Canada goes back on the attack. A dominant lineout hammers away at the Kiwi try line. Just fails to ground the ball. Yet, no matter, as New Zealand strays offside.

Cool and composed, de Goede slots the ensuing penalty kick. 34-19. A fifteen-point buffer. A crucial three-score advantage.

The final four minutes play out, New Zealand in possession, chasing the game. Still, though the Black Ferns remain brave and defiant to the end, their body language suggests they know not enough time remains.

In stark contrast, for Canada, still scrambling on defence, comes the rarest and sweetest of sporting feelings, namely experiencing victory while it happens. Excitement, euphoria, pride, relief, tears of joy, soon follow as the referee signals full time.

Post game, the media is abuzz. De Goede, Tessier and scrum half Justine Pelletier figure in much of the commentary. Yet, in every way, shape and form, the Canada success reflects the ultimate team effort, with each player performing outstandingly well in a victory for the ages.

Slowly, I return from cloud 9. Regain my senses.

Replay in my mind an absolutely thrilling sporting contest between two worthy foes. The power, the positivity, the elite performance, the presentation. The match, and the tournament in toto, another sterling example of the incredible growth and development in a myriad of women’s sports all across the globe.

And, looking purely at Women’s rugby, I can’t help but think of the numbers.

Of 23, as in years between losses. Of 4069, as in days between losses.

Of 34-19. Of 5 beautifully crafted tries.

Of 27,000 spectators.

Of 4 million television viewers on the BBC.

Of 82,000 fans who will pack Twickenham, one of the great rugby cathedrals, for the September 27 World Cup final. For the second ranked Canadians, another stern test, this time vs host and top ranked England, undefeated in its past 32 games.

But most of all, of the number 1. Representing first place. Representing champions!

The country and the world await. GO CANADA!