Canada flanker Gillian Florence isn't really one for
nostalgia, at least not when there is a Women's Rugby World Cup
encounter with Sweden looming on the horizon and the dream of
helping her country reach a first ever title decider over the next
two weeks in England.
Florence is assured of her place in the history books simply
by her presence at what is her fifth Women's Rugby World Cup,
but fresh from an impressive opening 37-10 defeat of Scotland last
Friday, the Canadian has her sights set on a much bigger prize.
"Any World Cup is going to be incredible, but this one
is extremely special because this team is really strong and
we've really come together in the last two or three
years," said Florence, who made her first WRWC appearance in
Scotland back in 1994.
"Can we get to the final? I believe so, otherwise we
wouldn't be here competing, playing and doing all the hard
work. We believe that we can compete with the best. Compared to
past World Cups this is the most preparation we've had leading
into it, off field work, on field work and then time domestically
together, so it's really exciting."
Anything can happen
Sweden will be no pushover when the sides meet on Pitch 2 at
Surrey Sports Park on Tuesday, just as France discovered on the
opening day when they had to battle for a 15-9 victory and Florence
is adamant that Canada will be taking nothing for granted.
"They look pretty physical, they like to keep it tight,
are very committed to the breakdown, up fast in defence and they
did well against France. Anything can happen in a World Cup - you
don't want to underestimate anybody, so we're getting
prepared."
However, while Florence prefers to focus on the present, her
World Cup past is never too far away, not to mention her membership
to a very exclusive club as one of only five players to have played
in five Women's Rugby World Cups.
American Patty Jervey was the only member of this club before
2010 after playing in the first five tournaments, but she has now
been joined by Florence, New Zealand fly half Anna Richards,
Scotland back row Donna Kennedy and Olga Rudoy of Kazakhstan.
Florence, who began her love affair with the Women's
Rugby World Cup as a prop in 1994, has nothing but admiration for
her fellow World Cup veterans.
Legends of the Game
"They are all legends in their own right and it's an
honour to be in that mix of women.
I've played against Anna several times, Donna as well. I
remember we played Scotland in Canada in 2005 and I think she'd
just achieved her 100th cap.
"I think I started my international career before her
and I was just amazed at 100 caps, our nation just doesn't get
that many opportunities but she's still going and playing
against her the other day, we were playing the same number
[seven]."
Not that Florence expected to be still gracing the ultimate
stage in the Women's Game when she took her World Cup bow in
Scotland all those years ago.
"I never had a plan, I never said I'm going to get
to here and then that's it. Even at the last World Cup I knew I
wasn't going to be done, but I didn't really think or put
much thought into getting to the next one," she said.
"Then looking back and saying this is my fifth and the
young teammates actually put numbers to that and it's so many
years or they figure out they were seven when I was at my first
one!
Special memories
"When you quantify it, it's like 'oh,
really!' but time just goes so fast. You take a year off after,
but you're still playing, it's sort of a lull, but then it
picks up again and then there's just two more years to go and
then the final year before, you're in, you're done,
you're committed, you're with the squad.
"I don't think a lot of the young girls recognise
just how fast time goes and how fast two years can fly by, and
before I knew it I was here and five World Cups."
Understandably, the focus may be on the Women's Rugby
World Cup 2010, but with a little coaxing those golden memories
soon come flooding back for Florence, and she has plenty of World
Cups to choose from.
"I think they're all special in their own right. The
last one was at home in Canada, which was definitely unique,
playing in front of your home country and lots of family and
friends were also able to attend," explained the 35-year-old.
"The first one is your first one so that's special,
but I was really young and perhaps didn't appreciate what I
had, I just went and did what I had to do, and this one will
probably be my last."
Anything is possible
Florence is the baby of the five timers at Women's Rugby
World Cup 2010, 12 years younger than Kazakhstan second row Rudoy
and her teammate Heather Moyse was quick to point out that she
still has another one in her at least, something she isn't
ruling out.
"Coming into this I was counting down the year, and then
I think I had a turnaround where I was like I really don't want
it to end, I'd be sad and I don't know if I'm ready for
it. Maybe I'll play another year.
"I'd said this would be the last tournament before,
but maybe Anna has said that at one point, maybe Donna's said
that at one point, you never know, I'll just keep training and
we'll see what happens.
"Anything is possible. I know a World Cup is a great
place to finish your playing career and it's a natural end, but
then not playing rugby doesn't seem natural to me right now.
It's been a huge part of my life and I've loved every
minute of it.
"You really want to make sure you take it all in and
cherish the memories and the moments, and enjoy it and not stress
but know that we have the hard work behind us and make the best of
it."
