07-29-2019, 12:37 AM
Kelly Russell knows younger sister Laura is never too far behind her on the rugby pitch. And thats good news for Canada. Kelly, who plays No. 8 at the back of the scrum, is captain of the Canadian womens team. Younger sister Laura is a prop, plying her trade at the forwards coal face. "We know each others tendencies on the field so its always great to play with her," said Kelly, who at 27 has two years on her sister. "Shes a hard worker, so anywhere Im around the pitch shes there too. I always know shes got my back." Kelly Russell has 24 more women behind her as Canada gears up for Fridays Womens Rugby World Cup opener against Spain in France. A quiet leader, Russell has the respect of her Canadian crew. "Kellys amazing," said veteran centre Mandy Marchak. "Shes very focused, very strong-minded. She understand what it is to be a part of such a big team and she leads by example. Shes quiet but when she speaks, it speaks volumes. She backs everything she says by how she plays. "Shes very strong on the field -- individually and for the team. Shes a really important part of the team. Kelly and I have been friends for a pretty long time and (shes) somebody I look up to." Marchak and Russell share a moment before each game. "Something I feel I personally have shared with Kelly throughout the years has been the final minutes before running onto the pitch, I turn to Kelly and she gives me this nod," Marchak wrote in a 2012 blog. "I know this nod very well. Its a nod saying were ready, we know what we need to do, lets just go out and do it. "It has actually been the one thing I feel I look forward to, as it calms me and gives me that last ounce of believe." Russell, who also played in the 2010 World Cup as well as two sevens World Cups, sees good things ahead for this Canadian team which she describes as a mix of experience with "want-to-impress" new blood. Originally from Bolton, Ont., Russell is one of about 20 women, all tied into the sevens program, who are centralized in the Victoria area. Other players have moved west to train with them. Part of their regimen involves working with UFC bantamweight Sarah Kaufman at the ZUMA gym in Victoria. Kaufman helps them with condition and grappling -- wrestling takedowns are similar to tackling to rugby. "A real help," said Russell. Canada, which finished fourth in 1998, 2002 and 2006 and a disappointing sixth in 2010, is in a pool with England, Samoa and Spain. The three pool winners and the runner-up with the best record advance to the semifinals. New Zealand has won the last four tournaments, defeating England in the last three finals. The Russell sisters -- including an older sibling -- followed their fathers footsteps into rugby with the Toronto Nomads. Kelly was 14 or 15 when she took up the sport. Now she leads Canada out on rugbys biggest stage. "When I started, it was just about playing rugby and trying it out. And I just loved it right away," she recalled. "So the natural progression was just to keep pursuing higher levels." She got her first cap in 2007 and has 35 going into the World Cup -- no small feat considering womens rugby internationals are few and far between. Named to the 2010 World Cup all-star squad, Russell was named Rugby Canadas Womens Fifteens Player of the Year for 2013. Canada last faced Spain at the 1991 and 2006 World Cups, winning 79-0 and 19-4. "Were expecting Spain to play a lot of rugby (Friday) with a lot of ball in play, fast pace and a lot of running, similar to the style we play and they play with no fear," Canadian coach Francois Ratier said in a statement. "This is the World Cup. And its important for us to set the tone with a big effort against Spain. We need to focus on our game and dont change our style or philosophy because its been working -- just push up the intensity." 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Wholesale Shoes Suppliers . -- Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines.DENVER -- The two-game suspension of Nuggets guard Andre Miller has been rescinded by the team, though he will remain away from the club until Monday under a newly issued personal leave. Miller originally was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team by the Nuggets for verbally confronting coach Brian Shaw in the waning minutes of their 114-102 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in full view of teammates and fans. It was the eighth consecutive loss for the Nuggets. Miller reportedly was upset over what became the first "did not play-coachs decision" of his 15-year career. In a brief statement released Friday, Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said that Miller would rejoin the team on Monday. He also said that until then, Miller would be excused from all team activities for personal reasons. Prior to Friday nights game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Shaw said that the club decided it was best to lift the suspension but maintain a sort of cooling off period. "Itts a personal matter and what we wanted to happen was him basically be away from the team for a few days," Shaw said.dddddddddddd "The crux of it is the incident that took place, everybody understands that cant happen, and because of that, hell get time to attend to some personal matters." Shaw said he has not had any contact with Miller since the episode, but indicated too much had been made about the issue. "Really, I thought the whole thing was blown out of proportion," Shaw said. "In the heat of the moment, sometimes players say things to coaches, sometimes coaches say things to players. What we try to get to happen is have it happen in the locker room, behind closed doors, within the group. "It started out on the court and thats what brought attention to it. As far as Im concerned, its not a big deal. It really doesnt. Ive had the utmost respect for Andre since he was at the University of Utah. Just an unfortunate incident, were moving on from it." ' ' '