Vikes connections help Canada win historic World Cup second place
Canada's women's rugby team may have ended their 2014 World Cupwith a loss but the best-ever second-place finish puts Canada inthe history books. Several University of Victoria connectionshelped the team make it to the finals, where Canada fell 21-9 to atough England team at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on Aug. 17. GaryDukelow, member of the 2007 UVic Sports Hall of Fame class, was onsite in France as the team's forwards coach, while former VikesBrittany Waters and Jessica Dovane were members of the team.
Dukelow has been heavily involved with Rugby Canada since hisplaying career retirement. The 1981 UVic President's Cup winner wasa member of the Canadian Senior men's naitonal team and was pivotalin Canada's advancement to the 1991 World cup quarter-finals.
Waters and Dovanne were team mates with the UVic Vikes women'srugby varsity program. Waters competed for five seasons beginningin 2001 and ending in 2005, while Dovanne competed in the 2005 and2006 seasons.
Canada's historic run at the 2014 Women's Rugby WorldCup has come to an end following a 21–9 loss to England atStade Jean Bouin tonight in downtown Paris to finish second in theWorld. Also making headlines, Canada winger Magali Harvey tookhome the 2014 IRB Women's Rugby Player of the Year honours afterthe game.
Despite the defeat, Canada will head home with theirheads held high knowing they were the first team in Canadian rugbyhistory to make a World Cup final. Canada controlled much ofthe possession in the opening 10 minutes, but it was England whoscored the first points of the match as Emily Scarratt's penaltykick agve them a 3-0 lead.
After Scarratt notched her second kick of the match, England foundan overlap out wide, using quick hands to get the ball outsidewhere Danielle Waterman scored the first try of the match to giveEngland an 11-0 lead. The score may have been more lopsided ifnot for two try-saving tackles from Canada's Karen Paquin.
Canada were rewarded with their hard play in the final seconds ofthe half as IRB Women's Player of the Year Magali Harvey split theposts on a penlaty kick to draw Canada within eight points atthe break. Just four minutes into the second half, a penaltyto England gave Harvey another chance to go for posts and onceagain her attempt was successful.
Harvey's third penalty kick of the match brought Canada to withintwo points as they entered the final quarter of thematch. However, off the restart a penalty to Canada gaveScarratt another opportunity at posts and the tournament's toppoint scorer gave England a 14-9 lead.
While Canada held possession, they were unable to find abreakthrough in the English defence. Harvey, who hasimpressed throughout the tournament with her speed was unable tofind any open space for much of the match.
With Canada pressing in the final minutes, Scarratt broke threeCanadian tackles to seal the win with a converted try.Canada would finish the 12-team tournament in their best-eversecond place.
Canada Points:
Penalties: Magali Harvey x3
England Points:
Penalties: Emily Scarratt x3
Tries: Danielle Waterman, Emily Scarratt
Conversions: Emily Scarratt
Canada's Women's Rosteron August17:
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City,QC
2. Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
3. Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
4. Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
5. Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
6. Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
7. Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
8. Kelly Russell, Captain (Toronto Nomads)Bolton, ON
9. Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club)Trois-Rivieres, QC
10. Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
11. Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
12. Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
13. Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
14. Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
15. Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
16. Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
17. Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
18. Mary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
19. Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, ON
20. Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
21. Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC
22. Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
Non-Dressing Players:
Stephanie Bernier, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec– Injured
Brittany Benn, (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
Cindy Nelles, (Oakville Crusaders/McMaster University) Belleville,ON
Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
Canada's Women's Team Staff:
Head Coach: Francois Ratier
Forwards Coach: Gary Dukelow
Backs Coach: Colette McAuley
Strength and Conditioning: Steve Mackinnon
Physiotherapist: Adrienne Stinson
Manager: Meaghan Howat
Analyst: James Kent
Media Manager: Bryan Kelly