Canadian Women's Rugby Team

[R181]

The game of rugby, of which I was only peripherally aware of. was brought into sharp focus for me by the amazing performance of Canada's women's rugby team at the Women's Rugby World Cup. No matter what happens in their final match, they have done themselves and Canada proud. I wish them the best of luck in their final match.

Bob

Canada crowdfunded their way to Women's Rugby World Cup. Now they're in the final - ESPN

 

[UKRob]

I’ve been watching women’s international rugby for quite a few seasons now and really enjoy it - quite possibly because on England’s dominance - but also because the skill factor is improving at a phenomenal pace. Really looking forward to Saturday’s final where there will be an 80,000 plus crowd. I’m nervous about England’s prospects - especially if Canada play a free flowing game. If anything I see a close game but with England’s strength off the bench making a difference.

 

[JamieM]

I have tried to watch women's rugby, but I just cannot enjoy it. Good luck to both teams. Only in Women's Rugby or any other Professional sport, for that matter, could this final ever happen. The England Women's team, for several years, has been full-time professionals, while the Canadian Women's, on the other hand, are amateurs; maybe this is the reason I cannot watch it.

 

[R181]

I have tried to watch women's rugby, but I just cannot enjoy it. Good luck to both teams. Only in Women's Rugby or any other Professional sport, for that matter, could this final ever happen. The England Women's team, for several years, has been full-time professionals, while the Canadian Women's, on the other hand, are amateurs; maybe this is the reason I cannot watch it.

That takes me way back to the days when Olympic hockey was for amateurs only and the Soviet amateurs were paid full time to play in the Soviet army. That is all gone now. I see no reason that an amateur team that has worked hard to get to where they are going can't compete against a professional team should the skill levels be similar. I just look at it as women's Rugby period.

Bob

 

[JamieM]

That takes me way back to the days when Olympic hockey was for amateurs only and the Soviet amateurs were paid full time to play in the Soviet army. That is all gone now. I see no reason that an amateur team that has worked hard to get to where they are going can't compete against a professional team should the skill levels be similar. I just look at it as women's Rugby period.

Bob

Bob, believe me, the Canadian Women are exceptions; it could never happen in the men's World Cup or any other competition that has world-class pro teams.

 

[Chris]

Wasn't the Italian team an amateur one when they joined the six nations?

 

[JamieM]

Wasn't the Italian team an amateur one when they joined the six nations?

No, the Italians were fully professional with two professional league teams below them, Zebre and Benetton Treviso.

 

[R181]

There are no professional rugby leagues in North America. OTH, there are obviously rugby players of professional calibre here as the Canadian women have demonstrated. Therein lies the rub.

Rugby league in Canada - Wikipedia

Bob

 

[JamieM]

There are no professional rugby leagues in North America. OTH, there are obviously rugby players of professional calibre here as the Canadian women have demonstrated. Therein lies the rub.

Rugby league in Canada - Wikipedia

Bob

Bob, that's a different game, Rugby league and Rugby Union, the Canadian Women's World Cup team plays Union, not Rugby League. I know it all sounds a bit confusing, two completely different games with totally different rules and numbers, only 13 players play in a Rugby league team, in Rugby union there are 15 players.

Canada men's national rugby union team - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[NeilJ]

Although I am Welsh I actually prefer Rugby League to Union.

It pains me to say but I think that the quality of women’s rugby (and cricket) is pretty poor to be honest, especially as they are paid professionals. I’m sure that they will get to a decent level at some point but it is a way off yet? Women’s football is getting better at the very top level but below that it’s not a great standard.

I hope this doesn’t make me sound like a misogynist, it’s just my opinion. I’m certain the standard will get better every year as the barriers that were there for many years have been broken.

 

[UKRob]

About 50% of the Canada squad are full time professionals in England and France.

 

[R181]

About 50% of the Canada squad are full time professionals in England and France.

Canadian women's ice hockey had no professional North American league to play in until the 2023-24 first season.

Professional Women's Hockey League - Wikipedia

There may eventually be enough interest in women's professional rugby for enough investors to deem it worthy of forming one. Fingers crossed it happens sooner than later. Till that time amateur players will have to do.

Bob

 

[Vacumatic]

Canadian women's ice hockey had no professional North American league to play in until the 2023-24 first season.

Professional Women's Hockey League - Wikipedia

There may eventually be enough interest in women's professional rugby for enough investors to deem it worthy of forming one. Fingers crossed it happens sooner than later. Till that time amateur players will have to do.

Bob

Personally. I can see this only as a good thing for the sport of rugby, in fact sport in general but more than anything it encourages the thought process in younger girls that the barriers to achievement are coming down.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well I like Bikini & X Football.

 

[UKRob]

Canadian women's ice hockey had no professional North American league to play in until the 2023-24 first season.

Professional Women's Hockey League - Wikipedia

There may eventually be enough interest in women's professional rugby for enough investors to deem it worthy of forming one. Fingers crossed it happens sooner than later. Till that time amateur players will have to do.

Bob

In Europe rugby union is a winter sport - does that also apply in Canada with its much harsher weather? Playing on frozen, rock-hard pitches would not be much fun for either men or women I guess.