Canada’s Sophie de Goede Poised to Lead World cup Charge After injury Recovery
Auckland,New Zealand – Sophie de Goede,a pivotal figure for Canada’s national team,is set to play a key role in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England,marking a triumphant return to form after a challenging injury recovery. The versatile player, known for her goal-kicking prowess, try-scoring ability, and dominance at the breakdown, has been instrumental in Canada’s undefeated run to the final.
De Goede sustained her injury just a week after being named to Canada’s 2024 Olympics team, forcing her to watch from the sidelines as her teammates secured a historic silver medal in the sevens competition. Now fully recovered, she feels her performances are improving with each game, and is ready to contribute to a potential seismic shift in women’s rugby. “It’s been a long road back,it has not been linear,” De Goede said. “The ultimate goal was just to get here [to the World Cup]. I feel really happy that I was able to get here and I am delighted with the way it has been building. Each game I am able to feel a bit more in control and to play a bit better. I think the team has been so wonderful in supporting me on and off the field. It’s been really positive.”
de Goede’s impact extends beyond individual brilliance.She embodies the team’s cohesive attacking style, where players instinctively support each other’s decisions. “Any tries you see are off the back of multiple team members’ positive impacts. One thing the team does really well is if the individual makes a decision we all just play off the back of it. There’s no questioning it. I think that helps our cohesion and why you see so many tries and why our attack is going so well as we are all backing each other.”
canada will face a formidable challenge against England, a team they have beaten only three times, most recently in a 52-17 victory in 2016. Despite the historical disadvantage, Canada is confident in their ability to upset the hosts and perhaps reshape the landscape of women’s rugby.De Goede herself carries a visual reminder of past finals, keeping photos from the 2014 final on her phone, potentially for one last look before taking the field.
