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Canada Column: 'It’s no longer just about sticking to a system. It’s about daring'
We arrived in Christchurch about ten days ago. We had a short transition week to recover from the trip, rest after the match (against the United States in Kansas City, which we won 26–14), and get ourselves properly prepared. Then we had five or six days where we were really able to push the content of our training sessions to be ready for this game.
Today, I’m in more of a relaxed mood. We just got back from an afternoon at the spa. We were lucky to have that experience here in Christchurch. I love this kind of recovery — it does me a lot of good. And we even had the chance to go in the ocean, which I enjoy even more. For me, seawater is even more invigorating.
That break really helped us recover after a busy week, because the intensity at training is pretty high, especially before selections. We don’t always get moments where we can truly pause, breathe, and focus on something else. It’s important — it’s part of staying balanced.
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You need to know how to go hard, but also how to come down. And two days before the match is the right time to do that. Otherwise, the tension stays too high, and then it’s stress that takes over.
This tour is a real opportunity for us. We don’t have a lot of funding in Canada, so it’s one of the competitions partly supported by World Rugby, and it allows us not only to play, but to play together.
In terms of timing, it’s also an ideal period. We have about three months where we can build up gradually and reach our performance level for the World Cup. It’s not too early in the year, so we’re not putting pressure on ourselves too soon, but it’s not too late either. It’s a good middle ground.
It gives us time to prepare, to get our bearings back, to rebuild our connections and habits, because we hadn’t seen each other in six months — not since WXV. And our game system is different from what we use in our clubs, so we need that transition period, and right now, we’re right in the middle of it.
That said, I’ve been away from Bordeaux for four weeks now. And in a way, even logistically and mentally, it already feels a bit like a World Cup setup. Being far from your usual environment for a long time, living as a team, with the same people every day… Mentally, that definitely has an impact.
It’s a bit of a preview, because the World Cup is twice as long. Having experienced it last time (in 2022 in New Zealand), it really is two full months — and two months far from everything. That said, with Canada, we’re somewhat used to it. Unlike the Six Nations, where there are breaks between blocks, when we go on tour, it’s always for three, four, sometimes five or six weeks. We’re used to the distance, to the touring lifestyle.
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But the World Cup will definitely be something else. Eight weeks — that’s long. It’s a real challenge.
Last year, we beat New Zealand for the first time in our history. And today, mentally, yes, I feel confident. I know the environment, I know it’s possible. But we never underestimate our opponent. We know New Zealand, we saw what they achieved at the last World Cup, all the way to the final. We have to maintain a sense of humility, while holding on to our confidence. Because it’s confidence that allows you to execute and perform. And humility keeps you from falling into overconfidence.
The Black Ferns are still major rivals. It won’t be an easy match — it’ll be 80 tough minutes. But the fact that we broke the ice last year, with that first-ever win against them, definitely changes the perspective. We know it’s possible. And now, we’re not just aiming for a win — we want a real performance, we want to build something. What we’re after goes beyond the final score.
I remember a few years ago, we were taking some heavy losses… and it was tough. Like in 2017 against England after the World Cup, when the squad had gone through a lot of changes. And we just didn’t have that many opportunities to play, period. We always managed to beat the lower-ranked teams, but we were stuck in 4th or 5th place in the world rankings for a few years, and we were missing that extra something to break into the top three or four.
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It was heartbreaking, because we were close — but still far. We couldn’t quite take that next step. We couldn’t win the big games. I think of that semi-final against England and the bronze final against France… It was frustrating to be stuck in that position.
Then, in just a few months, everything turned around. Now, we’re the second-ranked team in the world.
What changed? I think it started with a shift in mentality. A different approach to how we live rugby. A lot of players went overseas to improve, to be in a fully rugby-focused environment. The result: more experience, more game time, more ball handling. Individual levels went up — and as a result, the team followed.
There’s also been a real commitment from everyone. Some players put their lives in Canada on hold to go play in England, to immerse themselves in more established rugby cultures. All those decisions have fueled our collective progress.
As for me, I’ve taken on a bit more responsibility now. I’ve been part of the national program for eight years. I’m one of the leaders, and I feel increasingly confident in that role. These are teammates I’ve played with for a long time. I really enjoy the analytical side — asking questions, thinking through the best options. I like being in a role where I can bring video analysis, start discussions about different aspects of the game that show up in matches.
Kevin’s arrival (Kevin Rouet, our head coach) had a huge impact on the team. He challenged us to evolve, to become different kinds of players — players who ask questions, who are constantly trying to improve. It’s no longer just about sticking to a system. It’s about daring, opening up the game, seizing opportunities.
At first, it wasn’t easy. Rugby isn’t the national sport in Canada. Most players come to it later, so instinct doesn’t always come naturally. And suddenly we were being asked to be more instinctive, more reactive. That brought a lot of frustration, and confusion too. We had our share of setbacks.
But we stuck with it. We kept going. The group really carried that transformation. The girls said, “Alright, I’m in.” Before every training, we’d spend five minutes working on blind passes, behind-the-back passes. We drilled the details, over and over. And eventually, the results started to come.
What Kevin brought that’s really special is his way of seeing the game — and also this idea that you shouldn’t be afraid to try. If you make a mistake, it’s not a big deal. If you thought it was the right decision in the moment, then it was the right thing to do. And next time, you’ll get it right. He pushes us to be brave, to make bold decisions on the field, to take risks.
He also places a huge value on the unseen work. He shines a light on the players working in the rucks, those providing the first support. These are actions that don’t always get noticed, but for him, they’re the ones that make scoring possible. It’s not just about the final pass or the try — it’s about what happened before. And that brings real recognition to everyone on the field.
It’s something that shifts the mindset. Everyone feels useful, valued, and truly part of the team. It really strengthens the group. There’s a real sense of pride in being part of this squad.
Among the French speakers, we obviously speak in French. When there are anglophones around, we sometimes switch to English, but we try to include our language as much as possible. We want people around us to hear it, to get a feel for it. And a lot of them make the effort to learn a few words, a few expressions. Even in conversations that happen in English, there’s often a French word or two that slips in.
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Kevin switches back and forth. When he’s with the French speakers, he speaks French. When he’s with the rest of the group, it’s English. But he often throws French expressions into his English conversations — and that always makes the anglophones laugh, especially when the expression doesn’t really translate.
What I really appreciate is that we make a point of keeping French present in the team. When I started out with the U20s, there were only two of us who spoke French, so everything was done in English. Now, some of the coaches are bilingual — they’ll slip a few words of French into presentations.
It’s not much, but it means a lot. We sing the national anthem in both languages. There’s a real effort to respect and include our language. People are impressed that we speak two languages, and they’re genuinely curious — they want to learn.
We even made a little video about that on Instagram with Olivia Apps, who’s really made an effort. She speaks very good French. Often, it’s just the fear of making mistakes that holds people back. But a lot of them already have a good basis. Sophie de Goede, too.
We told her, “You speak good French — keep going.” And after that, we even started doing team meetings in French with her. It was such a pleasure for us francophones — and I think for Kevin too, who also enjoys getting to speak his first language now and then.
Canada play New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series on Saturday 17th May, live on the RugbyPass App.
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