Despite losing in the provincial final, a first setback after a streak of 15 straight wins, Laval University’s Rouge et Or still have big goals heading into the Canadian Rugby Championship, which begins Wednesday at PEPS.
Players and head coaches draw a parallel to the 2019 season, when they fell at home to the Ottawa Gee Gees. “We also lost the provincial final to Ottawa before recovering to win the Canadian championship a week later,” said head coach François Vachon-Marceau. Our goals will not be revised downwards. We had won the last six games against Ottawa and this loss is a good exercise in humility.”
The loss in the provincial final, which was the first setback in an RSEQ game since the 2019 final, means the Rouge et Or will face a higher-ranked opponent in the first game on Wednesday night.
“Like in 2019, we will meet UBC in the quarterfinals and it will be a good challenge at the beginning,” admitted the Laval driver about the Western champion and third national favorite. Our table is higher as we will face Queen’s in the semi-final if we win. It’s a harder path, but it’s doable.”
Learn in defeat
Did the defeat against the Gee Gees leave any mark? “There was disappointment,” the RSEQ coach admitted, “but the team didn’t collapse mentally.” The defeat served as a learning experience. The RSEQ, the country’s top conference, has won two medals in each of the last three national competitions.
Fifth-year player Anne-Frédérique Simard has a message for her teammates. “We have suffered a small setback, but we will make a big comeback,” she concluded. Our state of mind has not changed. We don’t forget the loss in the provincial final, but we built on it. We don’t forget, but we have another chance to prove ourselves.”
A standout performer at the last Canadian Championship, where the Rouge et Or reached the highest step of the podium, Audrey Champagne is aiming for nothing less than a second consecutive title. “Our goal doesn’t change despite the loss to Ottawa,” she assured. The defeat showed us that we have to work harder. Our journey will be more difficult, but that doesn’t change anything.”
Green light from the medical team
RSEQ MVP winger Laura Guay takes some positives from the 27-12 loss to Ottawa. “This defeat showed us that we are not invincible,” she emphasized. Every now and then you need a defeat. We have to work hard and together. We gave up our style of play because we didn’t have confidence in our passes because of the rain. We can’t afford to make these mistakes against good teams and we have to protect our identity.
Usually smaller than their opponents, Vachon-Marceau’s charges prefer to roll the ball out rather than systematically aim for contact. Are there any fears if Mother Nature is not in a good mood in the first game against Thunberdirds, who play a physical style? “There is no rain forecast for Wednesday,” Guay replied. We prefer the cold to the rain.”
The injured Guay received the green light from the medical team on Monday and will be at her post for the start of the championship on Wednesday.
Viewership record
The Rouge et Or aims to set an attendance record for a women’s university event. With advance sales of 1,600 tickets, the target of 10,000 spectators will of course not be achieved without a complete turnaround, but the organizers are confident that they will attract a good audience. National courses take place at the university during spring break.
Members of the university community are admitted free and there is a one-time fee of $10 for other supporters.