Gill Florence Selected for Historic Second Test Against France
Posted by Webmaster | Date created 2009-11-20 16:50:35
Friday, November 20, 2009 From a NSWT Communications article by Meghan Mutrie.
On the same day that Canada defeated France for the first time in 11 years, the IRB announced the two rivals will be in the same pool for the 2010 World Cup in London.
Halfway through their November tour, the NSWT has already made history by defeating France 14 – 5 in a midweek match in Dijon. Canada lost to France in the third place match of the last two World Cups, effectively placing them fourth on the IRB World Rankings.
Canada still faces quite a task ahead of them on Saturday.For the first time ever, the French women will play at Stade de France before a men’s international test, and they handpicked Canada as their opponent for the historic occasion.
Maria Gallo, who is just shy of 50 caps, said the invite is a double-edged sword.“It is an honour to be invited because it is the first time, but I also think they picked a team they can win over in front of a crowd,"surmised Gallo. "So they definitely didn’t want to pick the best in the world, although we’re aiming - and I think we have the potential to be the best in the world - but they obviously invited us to have a close match, but hopefully a win for them.
"We’re very aware of that; that they think we’re beatable, so we’re going to try and use that and reverse it on them.”
Wednesday’s match was a breakthrough for the Canadian squad, who, after 6 months of radical changes to their diet and training program, had the results of their hard work finally become tangible.
Both France and Canada took the opportunity to see new faces in Dijon, starting four and five caps respectively. France made a few desperate substitutions towards the end of the match as they realized a victory on their home soil was slipping away, and though there was an impact, but it was too late for Les Bleus.
The Canadians have been treated to paramount French hospitality on this tour, but at the post match function on Wednesday, the French were visibly irritated and failed to translate the French captain’s speech given to her teammates.“Their speeches on Wednesday night? I think I heard the word ‘revenge’ twice. Their captain was thinking of the XV’s hard work, but also thinking that it wasn’t good enough,” said Gallo.
Canada is wary of what France will throw back at them at the home of the Top 14 professional club, Stade Francais.Assistant coach Kris de Scossa compares the chance to play at France’s national stadium for any French rugby player, male or female, to a gladiator competing in the Coliseum.“The atmosphere will be electric. It will be an experience these girls will never forget. But to come away with a win? Even better.”
The NSWT has announced their 22-player roster for their second test against France.Only two starters from Wednesday’s match appear in Canada’s starting XV for Saturday’s match at Stade de France.
Team captain Leslie Cripps returns to the front row after being rested earlier in the week. Kim Donaldson will start at hook after shifting in from prop just over a year ago, with Cripps and powerful Marlene Donaldson on either side of her.Megan Gibbs, who was privy to the most recent World Cup loss to France as a 19-year-old, will lock beside Paige Burdett. Quiet but sound Burdett is one of the players, along with Gallo, who have appeared in the starting XV of both tests of this tour.
Canada’s backrow sees a wholesale change, led by veteran Gillian Florence. Before Wednesday, Florence was the only current member of the NSWT to have beaten France.
A new 9-10 combo will link the pack with the backs. Teammates at the 2009 Sevens World Cup, scrumhalf Laura Stoughton and first-five Brooke Hilditch will look to steer the Canadian side.
Sarah Ulmer and Mandy Marchak stand beside each other fin the centres for the first time since the Can-Am camp in Colorado in July. Ulmer’s wit and Marchak’s power are a dangerous arrangement.The outside backs were also members of Canada’s fourth place Sevens squad, and the three will be kept busy with counters to the kicking game of the highly regarded French flyhalf and fullback.
The historic match kicks off at 3pm at Stade de France. As guests of the FFR, the women will watch the France-Samoa test, and then the four international teams will attend one reception.
To contact the writer, please email: mmutrie@rugbycanada.ca
Roster for Canada versus France at Stade de France: 1. Leslie Cripps (captain) 2. Kim Donaldson 3. Marlene Donaldson 4. Paige Burdette 5. Megan Gibbs 6. Jen Kish 7. Gillian Florence 8. Kelly Russell 9. Laura Stoughton 10. Brooke Hilditch 11. Maria Gallo 12. Sarah Ulmer 13. Mandy Marchak 14. Birittany Waters 15. Ashley Patzer Replacements:16. Tabitha Stavrou 17. Corinne Jacobsen 18. Heather Jaques 19. Barbara Mervin 20. Julia Sugawara 21. Cheryl Phillips 22. Julianne Zussman
