September 15th, 2006

England’s top try scorer in the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sue Day, is looking to put the heartache of two World Cups firmly behind her with victory on Sunday against the reigning World Champions New Zealand in the tournament finale.

Wasps player Day, who has scored six tries during the tournament, is one of England’s most experienced players but on Sunday she will be hanging up her rugby boots for good.

And after losing 9-19 to New Zealand’s Black Ferns in the 2002 World Cup at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium and finishing third in the 1998 World Cup in Amsterdam the versatile back, who can play on the wing, in the centre or at full-back, certainly has unfinished business.

“We have spent so long preparing for this that none of us want to come away disappointed,” said Day, who has been involved in all of England’s games on route to the final, which has included victories over the USA, South Africa, France and most recently Canada in the semi-finals.

“For me there is perhaps some extra motivation. This is my third World Cup and I was part of the team that lost to the Black Ferns in 2002. This is also my last World Cup, like a number of players in this squad so I'll be giving it absolutely everything to make sure we are the team lifting the World Cup trophy.

“Playing New Zealand in the final is going to be a huge challenge. They are after all the reigning world champions. They have also won the last few games against us so they'll be confident, especially coming into the final on the back of some great performances.

“Games like this though don't come along very often and in sport anyone can win on the day. We have certainly done all the preparation we can to be the best in the world. There’s a lot of confidence in this squad and we know we can be the 2006 World Champions.”

But unlike Sir Clive Woodward’s rugby heroes in 2003 KPMG accountant Day and her 25 teammates have had to balance demanding careers with their on-pitch ambitions.

She added: “It's hard that we all have jobs so we can't be full-time athletes like the men's rugby team, but I would like to say that is our choice and it’s not a sacrifice. We all work full-time and then have to fit our training sessions in and around it and yes, that doesn't leave a lot of time for anything else, but to be in the World Cup final makes it all worth while and if we win it then certainly none of us will have any regrets.”

England’s World Cup Schedule:

August 31st   England v USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton,
KO 12am BST WON 18-0
September 4th  England v South Africa at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton    KO 9.30pm BST WON 74-8
September 8th  England v France at St. Albert RFC, Edmonton
   KO Mid-night BST WON 27-8
September 12th  Semi-finals:
New Zealand v France, Ellerslie Rugby Park , 930pm BST  
England v Canada, Ellerslie Rugby Park, WON 20-14 
September 17th  Finals (All at the Commonwealth Stadium)
England v New Zealand, KO mid-night BST

Ends…