Canada香蕉视频直播檚 national women香蕉视频直播檚 rugby team is building toward a World Cup run this summer 香蕉视频直播� and they香蕉视频直播檙e doing it with a powerful engine from Victoria.
The red-and-white opened their two-match tour of South Africa with a statement win on Saturday, thumping the Springbok women 50-20 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Among the try-scorers? Victoria香蕉视频直播檚 own Caroline Crossley, who capped off a gutsy performance with her first-ever 15s international try 香蕉视频直播� while barely able to stand.
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She covered roughly 40 metres for the score in the final play of the game.
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That kind of perseverance is what Crossley and a host of Vancouver Island teammates are hoping to bottle as Canada continues its World Cup build-up.
Crossley, an Oak Bay High graduate, is one of 10 players on this tour with strong Victoria ties. Another is fellow Oak Bay alum and team captain Sophie de Goede, who is getting back to action after an ACL injury sidelined her last year.
They香蕉视频直播檙e joined by Pamphinette Buisa, Gabrielle Senft, Carissa Norsten, Krissy Scurfield, Fancy Bermudez, Rori Wood, Alysha Corrigan and Olivia Apps. Many play out of Westshore RFC or the Castaway Wanderers, and several honed their craft with the UVic Vikes.
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Even for players from outside the region, Victoria still feels like home. Langford's Starlight Stadium houses Rugby Canada香蕉视频直播檚 main training centre, which means many on the squad have spent years there together.
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Canada 香蕉视频直播� currently ranked second in the world 香蕉视频直播� will face South Africa again on July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
With the World Cup kicking off Aug. 22 in England, these exhibition matches are more than just tune-ups.
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Despite the lopsided score in Game 1, Crossley expects a tougher battle in the rematch.
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After South Africa, the squad will return home for a short break before reconvening in Ottawa for a pre-World Cup fixture against the United States, on Aug. 1 followed by another against Ireland on Aug. 9.
At the World Cup, Canada is grouped with Scotland, Wales and Fiji.
But the focus remains on the moment.
香蕉视频直播淥ur goal is to win the World Cup,香蕉视频直播� said Crossley. 香蕉视频直播淏ut it starts with the next game. One at a time.香蕉视频直播�
