Rob Jonas 08/11/10
Delmar native Melissa Kanuk and Clifton Park resident Claudia Braymer are playing with the United States team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which starts Aug. 20 in England.
This is Braymer’s second trip to the Women’s World Cup – the premier international rugby tournament – and Kanuk’s first trip. Kanuk has international experience, though, having played for the U.S. team at the 2008 Nations Cup in England.
“I have a much better idea of what to expect this time,” said Braymer. “I was very nervous my first game last time [in 2006], and as a veteran, I hope to bring a lot of calmness and confidence to the rest of the team [this time].”
“There has definitely been a lot of personal sacrifice to reach this point – not only money-wise, but I also had to move to Minnesota in order to keep playing [rugby] at a high level,” said Kanuk.
Many of the players on this year’s U.S. team play in the league Kanuk is part of – the Womens Premier League. And both Kanuk and Braymer said the impact the 2-year-old league has had is noticeable in terms of the cohesiveness the national team possesses.
“Last time [2006], the team was very talented, but we never came together to play to our full potential,” said Braymer. “I think this team is much farther ahead in terms of team cohesiveness, and thus – I hope – our chances are better. I would love to see us make it to the final.”
“We feel the most unified as we’ve felt the last three years,” said Kanuk. “We’ve improved with every competition.”
That type of preparation is vital to the United States’ chances of advancing out of pool play at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The U.S. is in a pool with two rugby giants, Ireland and England, as well as Kazakhstan.
“We know that every team has earned the right to be there, and we know we have to play hard against every team,” said Kanuk.
“Every game is going to be difficult,” said Braymer. “Ireland is going to be quick and scrappy, and thus a difficult opponent. England is also a major force that we will have to overcome.”
Just because the U.S. is in a difficult pool doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a chance, though.
“We play a very physical match,” said Kanuk. “We expect to bring that to every match we play, and we expect other teams to try to push us physically.”
As a center/fly half, Kanuk will be in the thick of the fight trying to score points for the U.S. team. But she said that it doesn’t matter who gets into the end zone for a “try” – rugby’s equivalent of a touchdown in American football.
“In all of our team dis-cussions, we don’t set aside for certain people to score,” said Kanuk. “Everyone should be able to score. Our goal is to be an attacking threat from several positions, not just one.”
Braymer, who will be a scrumhalf, said her role on the team will be more noticeable on the sidelines than on the scoreboard.
“I have a lot of positive energy to bring to the team, so my role will likely involve keeping people’s spirits high, especially during challenging times both on and off the field,” said Braymer.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup continues through Sept. 5. After that, Braymer and Kanuk both said they plan to take some time off from playing.
“What I intend to do after the World Cup is to take some time and focus on the things that I put on the backburner – build my [personal training] career and maybe travel a bit,” said Kanuk.
“I love the sport and will continue to be involved with rugby for the forsee-able future,” said Braymer, “but I think after World Cup, I will take a step back from highly competitive play and focus on coaching and [refereeing].”
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