TORONTO — Canada heads to the Women's Rugby World Cup ranked third in the world and believing it can take down the top two if it plays to its potential.
"I think we feel very prepared," said veteran winger Elissa Alarie. "There's this calm confidence that's in the air."
The Canadian women were beaten 21-9 by England in the final of the last World Cup three years ago in France. The two teams had tied 13-13 in pool play.
Canada, currently rated behind No. 2 New Zealand and No. 1 England, was slated to fly to Ireland late Wednesday after a sendoff Tuesday night in front of sponsors and supporters.
Canada has defeated England before. And while the Canadians have never beaten New Zealand in women's 15s — or men's 15 — play, coach Francois Ratier says he knows his team can down the Black Ferns.
"I've seen moments," he said. "It's there. And more important than me, (the players) realize that it's there. We're going to have the opportunity in a few weeks to make it happen."
No. 4 France and No. 5 Ireland could also make some noise at the tournament, he believes.
Canada opens Aug. 9 against No. 23 Hong Kong before facing No. 10 Wales on Aug. 13 and New Zealand on Aug. 13 in the match expected to decide the pool winner.
All the games are in Dublin, with the pool matches — slated for smaller stadiums —already sellouts.
The three teams that top their groups plus the best second-placed side advance to the quarter-finals.
It's a format with no margin for error. Four-time champion New Zealand failed to make the quarters last time out after finishing second in its pool thanks to a 17-14 upset loss to Ireland.
The Black Ferns won their four other matches — outscoring the opposition 231-20 — but still only finished fifth
Canada, England and New Zealand faced off in June in New Zealand in the International Women’s Rugby Series, which also featured No. 6 Australia. Canada lost 28-16 to New Zealand and 27-20 to England before thumping Australia 45-5.
England moved atop the world rankings after its 29-21 victory over New Zealand 29-21 in Rotorua, knocking the Black Ferns out of top spot.
Ratier is taking the same 28-woman squad to Ireland as he did to New Zealand. The roster features 18 returnees from the 2014 World Cup squad including captain Kelly Russell and 2014 world player of the year Magali Harvey.
Because the Canadian team is spread across the country, there is limited time together. Alarie expects the Canadians to get stronger each time out, as it did during the New Zealand tour.
"We evolved every single game," she said.
The Canadian women have sacrificed for the cause. Unlike the men's 15s and sevens squad and the women's seven side, the women's 15s team is not centralized and does not receive any carding money, although some of the players get financial help from their provinces.
Many have paid thousands out of their pocket in the past to play for Canada. But the pay-to-play model has been removed prior to this World Cup thanks to the Monty Heald National Women's Fund, which allowed supporters to donate directly to the women's team for its World Cup preparation.
The fund is named after Rugby Canada's longest-serving president, who died in 2015.
"I met a couple of people (Monday) who really put their hands in their pockets for us," said an appreciative Ratier, whose national team coaching job is considered part-time.
World Rugby pays for team's travel and accommodation costs but not for their preparation.
The August tournament comes just three years after the last one because World Rugby wants to separate it from other events. The event will return to a four-year cycle after 2017.
England's 2014 championship ended a streak of three second-place finishes to the Black Ferns. The only other country to have won the tournament is the United States, in the inaugural 1991 event. England also won in 1994.
Canada, which hosted the championship in 2006, was third three times from 1998 to 2006.
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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
