Growing popularity in Canadian women's rugby could culminate in a deep run at World Cup

Canadians are known to be polite and generally kind — but what if I told you a talented team of Canadian women are heading to the United Kingdom to shove, tackle and straight-arm anyone in their path?

Yes, folks! Canada's women's senior rugby team is about to embark on a campaign at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

On Saturday, at York Community Stadium in the No. 2-ranked Canadians take on Fiji, ranked 14th in the world, for Pool B play. Canada will then play Scotland and Wales respectively.

Canada's rugby sevens delighted the world when they clinched the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year but the team has been steadily growing and fortifying its talent.

I asked Canadian national team member Olivia Apps about the country's momentum for women's sports right now — and rugby in particular.

"It does feel like we're at, like, the middle of something that's about to really explode," she told me after the match.

"And I hope this Rugby World Cup does that for women's rugby particularly, but for women's sport generally. But I'm hoping it's [not just] momentary. … We have the LA Olympics, which is basically at home for Canada. It's not too far away. And there's just a lot of excitement within the sport right now in Canada."

Like many women athletes, the rugby community advocates for themselves and are a committed group. A fundraising campaign to help curb the cost of their World Cup. Although ranked high globally, rugby is not a professional sport for women in Canada. Women advocate and elevate the sport, helping to encourage participation and pride.

One of the biggest global stars of the sport at the moment is Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby player on earth.

Maher's popularity skyrocketed after the Olympics, where she won a bronze medal with the United States' rugby sevens, and then went on to place second on Dancing With The Stars.

Maher's frank conversation about body positivity and strength as beauty has resonated with so many women and girls. She has amassed millions of fans who see her physical strength as power and her attitude as appropriately unapologetic.

The stadium was absolutely roaring with joy as she walked around TD Place following the match and waved to fans and posed for photos. Despite the U.S. being vastly outperformed by the hosts, Maher was aware of what her presence meant. And she leaned into it.

I caught up with her and asked her about the rise of rugby as a popular sport. I was also surprised at how brash she was to take (valid) credit for bringing new fans to the sport of rugby. I don't know why I was surprised because she was truthful. Maher's presence has brought new eyes to women's rugby. But we don't have to look far for amazing role models on and off the pitch.

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Apps is a recognizable face for women's rugby in Canada.

Apps has alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. She is vocal about her condition and although she wore wigs as a child, she has embraced her beautiful baldness. Her role on the team enables her to bring awareness to it.

"Even though I was only seven years old, I knew there was something so powerful in just being able to say, 'Hey, this is who I am and I don't actually care what anyone thinks'," she said in an interview.

Having that confidence and acceptance is certainly something I want kids around the world to embrace.

Up north, we aren't at a place where captain Sophie de Goede (just returning from an ACL injury), Pamphinette Buisa (ruled out of the World Cup four days ago due to injury) or Apps are household names — yet. What I can assure you, is that these athletes are some of the most humble, dedicated, passionate and wonderful people I have ever met in my career.

They are professionally generous and kind. They remain unafraid to ask for what they need and don't hesitate to work for it. They come back from injury, bring their best selves. Plus, their social media feeds are brilliant.

The candor of rugby players is necessary for a sport that is still growing in a country that gets a fraction of the financial backing as the other major teams. In England, the final will be played at Twickenham Stadium, which is already sold out.

I appreciate the social media, the storytelling of rugby players from around the world, but the increase in support for Canadians remains vital.

The try celebration songs were New Orleans is Sinking and Blow at High Dough by The Tragically Hip. The players on this team would have been quite young when these songs were released but they remain Canadian anthems of culture and intensity.

A few days after the match in Ottawa, I was thrilled to find out that The Hip collaborated with the team to help raise funds for the World Cup.

I contacted Rugby Canada and it told me the idea came from looking to extend invites to Canadian icons to send videos and wish the team well for the Rugby World Cup (ideally to air in Ottawa).

However, it quickly morphed with the band wanting to give back to 'Mission Win Rugby World Cup' with a limited edition shirt. The effort was led by David Fortier, a Rugby Canada board member who is the co-founder and partner at Boat Rocker Studios.

"This partnership is about getting all of Canada behind one of the most inspiring untold stories in this country. It's lifting up a team and a nation on the world stage, cheering on our women as they aim to achieve their dreams," the band said in a statement.

In an ideal world, neither rock stars nor athletes would have to fundraise in order to help women's sporting dreams be achieved and represent Canada at the highest echelon. But as Canadians fall deeper in love with women's rugby and want to support the team, they have a sure shot to win the World Cup.

And do it with grace, too.