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Canadian national team made huge strides at 2014 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup

Neil Acharya

When asked what he thought of Canada's performance at the 2014 IRB Women's Rugby World Cup, TSN analyst Brian Spanton said he felt in many ways the national team had already won before they hit the pitch at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on Sunday.

He acknowledged that his thought was cliche - but it was well fitting

While a 21-9 loss to England wasn't the storybook ending the upstart Canadian side wanted, the road to a silver medal was paved by ground-breaking individual and team performances.

As these women fly back home over the next 24 hours, they can rest assured that through their play, the national program was brought to a new level and that the rugby world is on notice.

"... here in Paris (England) became worthy champions with an efficient display over a Canadian side that never gave up.

Canada had some outstanding individuals in flanker Karen Paquin, centre Mandy Marchak and props Marie-Pier Pinaullt-Reid and Hilary Leith, who formed a potent scrummage that threatened to take the game away from England in the third quarter." (Steve James / the Telegraph / 08/17/14)

Canada has participated in all seven World Cup tournaments but had never finished higher than fourth place. After beating France 18-16 on Wednesday, they had already ensured their best finish at the tournament.

After the final, Magali Harvey was recognized for her display of grace and strength on the pitch when she was named IRB Women's player of the year. In helping Canada reach their first World Cup final, the 24-year-old from Quebec City, PQ., recorded 39 points in group stage play and combined for another 22 points over the semi-final and final including this memorable try:

She is the first Canadian to receive the honour.

“I would like to congratulate Magali on winning this prestigious award. It is extremely well deserved. She has lit up Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 with her combination of electrifying pace, elusive running, ferocious defence and accurate place-kicking.

“Her try against France in the semi-final was perhaps the tournament highlight and certainly one of the tries of the year. I was privileged to have been sitting in the stand to watch it live." (IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset / Courtesy: www.rwcwomens.com / 08/17/14)

Canadians made up half of the finalists as forward and team captain Kelly Russell was also one of the four players in the running.

In England, Canada faced a determined team that was intent on shaking off the notion they were a perennial bridesmaid after losing in three consecutive World Cup finals to New Zealand.

With the Kiwi's surprise failure to qualify for a chance to repeat as champions after losing to Ireland, the English sensed an opportunity heading into the final.

"...a fourth successive attempt at becoming world champions, having lost to New Zealand in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 finals. Ireland's pool victory over New Zealand, and their subsequent absence from the semi-finals, was the break England craved." (Steve James / the Telegraph / 08/16/14)

England was tenacious defensively and were able to marginalize Harvey, not allowing the right wing to break into the open field to produce anything substantive. They took a 6-0 lead before Danielle Waterman scored the first try of the match in the 33rd minute to make it 11-0 (the conversion was unsuccessful).

While England did well to limit the explosiveness of Harvey and other Canadians, she still had a strong presence, displaying accuracy and strength as she went 3-for-3 on penalty kicks.

Her first kick got Canada on the board from 25-metres out to close the opening half, in the second -half she showed off her range with kicks from 35-metres and 42-meters to cut England's lead to 2 with just over 20 minutes left.

However, two minutes after Harvey made it 11-9, centre Emily Scarratt split the uprights with one of her three penalty kicks on the night which restored England's 5-point lead. She then gave her side the breathing room they craved with a superb try in the 74th minute.

England went undefeated enroute to their first World Cup title in 20 years and second overall. They drew against Canada 13-13 in their final group stage match on Aug. 9.

It was a big weekend for Canadian women on the pitch, In Edmonton on Saturday evening - the women's U-20 team lost 2-0 to Germany in the quarter-final but advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 2004.

Follow Neil Acharya on Twitter: @Neil_Acharya