Canada’s national women’s rugby team — featuring two North Vancouver natives and a third member of the Capilano Rugby Club — made history today, earning their first-ever berth in World Cup championship final with a thrilling semifinal win over France.
Magali Harvey took a pass in the shadow of her own goalposts and raced nearly the full length of the field to score a stupendous try early in the second half, knocking in a difficult convert as well to give Canada an 18-6 lead. Those two points would prove crucial as France, playing on home soil at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris, battled back with two late tries. The French, however, missed their converts and Canada held on for a historic 18-16 win.
Carson Graham grads Andrea Burk and Hilary Leith and their Capilano Rugby Club teammate Mandy Marchak, a Winnipeg native, all started for Canada in the win.
Canada’s other try came from Elissa Alarie on a nifty ball-fake three minutes into the second half. Harvey scored her try just three minutes later — the two scores were the first tries France had given up in the entire tournament.
Canada will take on England Sunday in the World Cup final. The two teams met in pool play last Saturday, battling to a 13-13 tie.
