BY THE NUMBERS: CANADA'S WOMEN'S RUGBY TEAM

With thirty years of playing international rugby in the books for the Canadian women’s team, there have been an impressive number of players contributing equally impressive numbers to the record books.

Here is a summary of some of the key achievements by these athletes over three decades:

1. Reaching the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final was, hands down, one of the largest achievements by any Canadian team. The manner in which the women reached the final included a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the semi-final against France, when Magali Harvey received a pass inside the 22 meter line and out-legged the cover defence to score a try for the ages and an 18-16 win for Canada.

2. 233 Players have donned the Canadian colours since the first test match in 1987. (As of November 27, 2017)

3. Canada has played a total of 127 matches in its history, which includes eight Rugby World Cup competitions. Canada has won sixty-one matches, drawn three and lost sixty-six matches.

4. Canada’s largest victory was attained at the 2017 World Cup in Ireland when it defeated Hong Kong by a 98-0 score.  The second highest score was against Spain in a 79-0 win at a World Cup match held at St. Albert Rugby Club.

5. Canada has beaten the USA 19 times but lost 17. Canada’s next best record is 6-8 vs France. Canada has played England the most after the USA with a total of 26 meetings, Canada winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 21.

6. Canada’s top scorer in all categories is Magali Harvey of Quebec City. The still active winger has amassed a total of 252 points in her career in 24 appearances. This includes 22 tries, 44 conversions, and 18 penalties. Andrea Burk is a distant second with 159 points from 8 tries, 37 conversions and 15 penalties in 36 test matches.

7. The top player based on test appearances is Montreal’s Gillian Florence. She made 66 appearances for Canada, scoring 9 tries for 45 points. Maria Gallo has 55 caps for Canada with 70 points from 14 tries. 2014 & 2017 WRWC Skipper Kelly Russell has won 53 Caps.

8. The longest career based on time and appearances: Gillian Florence made her debut against Wales on April 11th, 1994 and player her 66th test against the USA on September 5th, 2010. That was 66 appearances over a 16-year time span.

9. Most tries in a single test match are 5, achieved by two players: Magali Harvey did it against Hong Kong at the 2017 World Cup. She also kicked 8 conversions for a 41-point haul, a Canadian record; Maria Gallo scored 5 tries versus Spain at the 2006 World Cup in Alberta. Heather Moyse scored 4 tries against Kazakhstan at the 2006 World Cup.

10. Kelly Russell of Bolton, Ontario has captained Canada a total of 34 times. Moira Shiels and Leslie Cripps are next closest with 10 nods each as skipper.