Canada unfazed by any outside noise as World No.2’s profile continues to rise
Canada can finish top of Pool B if they beat Scotland in Exeter this weekend
©Photo by Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Canada’s Rugby World Cup campaign is being built on focus, belief, and internal momentum, according to forward McKinley Hunt.
The world’s number-two ranked side may have flown under the radar so far, but impressive wins over Fiji (65-7) and Wales (42-0) last Saturday suggests they are set to attract more attention sooner rather than later.
England continue to be seen as favourites for the tournament, but another Canadian victory against Scotland in their final Pool B game on Saturday would give the North Americans a platform to kick on in the knockouts, as they will likely avoid the Red Roses until the final on September 27th.
"We are not really concerned about the narratives that exist outside of us,” Hunt told TRU after Canada’s victory over Wales. “We feel great and we are just taking this one game at a time and ultimately, where we end up is where we end up but right now we feel good.
"We are really proud of the way we can change our strategies throughout the game. We play a very unique brand of rugby and ultimately, that is giving us confidence to what we want to do."
That calm confidence was tested last week against a fired-up Wales, who came out with intensity from the first whistle. Hunt admitted Canada could have managed the opening minutes better in Salford but praised the team’s ability to wrestle back control before half-time.
"It was positive," Hunt said when asked about Canada scoring three tries in five first half minutes. "Obviously, we knew Wales were going to come out firing, and they definitely did.
"I think we probably could of managed that first 15/20 minutes a little bit better, but still proud of how we were able to control them, not allow them to score and really build momentum and pressure through that last 20 in the first half.
"It is positive that we can [make a slow start] and still have the momentum and still put dominant points on the opposition and not allow them to score. If we think about controlling what we can control and taking those errors away, we are obviously in a pretty good place to build from that into the next games.”
A key ingredient of Canada’s form - who are unbeaten in their last nine matches - has been the strength of the entire squad. Hunt emphasised that contributions extend far beyond the starting XV.
"The squad, we’ve always said, is one through to 32,” she added. “So the girls who are coming off the bench and the ones who are not playing are also contributing significantly in the build-up throughout the week. Ultimately, at the end of the day, one to 32 is going to get us where we want to go.”
This collective approach allows Canada to keep perspective. “We are really not focused on what we have managed to do by getting to the quarter-finals,” Hunt said. "Yes, we’ve ticked a box now, but at the end of the day, we are not thinking much beyond Scotland. We control our own destiny so we are focusing on what we can control, fixing the small errors that we had and using it as a stepping stone."
Sophie de Goede: "The World Cup was all I was thinking about"
For captain Sophie de Goede, returning from injury to join a high-performing Canada team has been an emotional journey.
The all-action forward missed the 2024 Olympic Games after suffering a torn ACL, but has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout players, highlighted by her Player of the Match performance last weekend and also the fact she became the all-time leading scorer (262 points) in Canadian women’s rugby history.
The Saracens lock said: "This [the World Cup] was all I was thinking about when I was rehabbing. It is really nice to be able to fit back in and like I said, the challenge has been to do that as seamlessly as possible and not disrupt a team that is on such a roll right now.
"Honestly, from a personal standpoint, just happy to be back with the girls both on and off the pitch.”
