Laetitia Royer column: We have a different World Cup motivation

We were really cool and confident coming into last Friday’s semi-final against the Black Ferns. Everyone was so locked into the energy of the game, and we played some beautiful, innovative rugby.

It is so much fun to watch that style of rugby – even better to play – and I was so confident after Justine Pelletier scored the first try of the game eight minutes in. You could tell that for the girls it was just another game. We played our best rugby of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup so far. We were unstoppable.

Kev (Canada head coach Kévin Rouet) was really happy at full-time. He was fist bumping everyone. He usually shows little emotion so when he shows some, you know it’s that times by 10.

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He was happy about the rugby that we produced and was so truly happy for the team. He cares so much about each one of us. And he has a different way of showing that with each person, whether that’s with a handshake or a hug. That way you know it means a lot.

It was really fun to watch the crowd and hear the energy that was coming from them. I really love feeding off the energy in a stadium. That can come from my teammates, the crowd and even the opposition.

I’ve faced the haka a few times in my career now and I feed off that. I respect the way that they’re so connected to their culture and the way they use that as propulsion for themselves. You feel it in your core.

But rather than feeling intimidated or terrified by that, I take it.

It is funny because whenever I play or I’m on the bench, I’m locked in. I’m in the zone and in the moment. You always have to be aware of what’s going on to be ready and sharp.

I’ve had to come to terms and embrace that role as a finisher over the course of the World Cup. It hasn’t been the World Cup I expected. It has been really humbling and kind of an ego check.

Facing that injury coming into the tournament, you expect to be in the same place that you were before time out and falling back into the same place. Instead, I was helping the squad prepare at first and then into the finishing role at the end of the group stages, where you have to fit in any shoes or any role that you need to.

It is even harder to finish a game because you may need to know a different position. Mentally it is hard to shift roles and embrace it at first. In a way I went back to where I was before and when I grinded for every minute I was on that pitch.

Now I’ve come to terms with embracing my role. I still feel like I am a massive asset for the team as a finisher. I just need to do what I do best and shred.

I am really grateful that my partner, Lyph, has been in England for the whole World Cup. He has had the best time with Fabiola Forteza’s boyfriend and family. It’s a fun crew. Over these past few weeks, he has been to the Isle of Man, Stonehenge and Cardiff. It has been fun keeping up with what they have been doing.

One reason it has been so good to have him close by is because he’s gone on this whole journey with me across the years and he has learned about rugby on the way. Back home he coaches basketball and football, so he watches training, and he watches meetings – but he’s also the biggest hype man.

To have such a special person in my life here, to talk to when things hit the fan or I need to understand things and he knows me better than anyone, it has really helped to remind me who I am in some moments.

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We feel so different to the last time we played England. It was almost a year ago that they beat us in Vancouver to win WXV 1. That hurt, but I wouldn’t say we are the same opponent. We were still building then.

This week we just have to focus on our details, executing things well, staying sharp and enjoying ourselves. Also, it is our last week. We have to enjoy every moment and really be there for each other.

Everyone has different ways of focusing on things. For me I’ve tried to turn off as much outside noise as possible. That has involved deleting social media for the most part. I don’t need it when I am trying to focus on other things. I have got enough on my plate.

Instead I’ve been playing cards, crocheting or taking photographs on a camera my dad gave to me. There are so many cameras around at the minute, getting behind one has been a good way for me to escape.

At the end of the day, we are hungrier than England. What we are doing is bigger than just winning the World Cup. We’re doing it for rugby in our nation. Putting rugby on the map in Canada and opening up the possibilities for our future as professional athletes.

Our why is so much bigger than fame. That’s why we are focusing on ourselves so much.

 

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Everyone has talked so much about Twickenham Stadium being full. That it will be the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup final ever. But we have a different motivation.

We’re doing it for the previous players that paid to play. That have watched the evolution of our programme and seen the core values remaining the same.

That quiet confidence. That joie de vivre. Also that physical presence. The proof that our work is oriented towards discipline and passion. For love of the sport and not money.

That purity gives us a real sense of gratefulness and hope for the future. To me that is more motivating than anything else.