Heighway will be playing in her second Women’s RWC final, having figured in their 19-9 defeat of England four years ago in Barcelona – the memory of which gives her goosebumps whenever she thinks about the elation of collecting her medal.
“The last World Cup final was very tense, very nerve wracking and I don’t think we really sealed the game until right near the end, so it is not often you get in a position where it can go either way.
“But I think we have got a better team again this year and we have sort of increased our skill set so hopefully we can put that together on the field. We know it will be tough, England will come out fighting.
Totally focused
“They got a little bit of a shock against Canada so we have no doubts about the pressure we will be put under, but it would be absolutely unreal to win it for a second time. I wouldn’t think the second could be better than the first … but it will be right up there.”
For her fellow forward Rochelle Martin it would be a third crown, but that is something she is trying to put out of her mind as she focuses on the challenge of overcoming an England team who have been preparing for this moment for four years.
“The first time we were sort of new on the scene, so it was all pretty overwhelming and fantastic,” Martin, who scored two tries in the semi final, told rwcwomens.com. “Second time a lot more pressure and for me personally it was a lot more relief than anything.
“This time around, hopefully I can catch up with you after the game and say, yeah three, but the most important thing is just preparing properly now and putting that side of things out of the mind until it is time to actually think about it.
“One step at a time pretty much through from here until that final whistle goes.”
Intense battle
Heighway and Martin are pivotal members of the Black Ferns renowned pack, providing the platform for their talented backs to shine, but they know their counterparts are following in the tradition of strong English forward packs.