By James Reed
Marley Packer’s legacy will not be defined by what happens at next year’s Rugby World Cup, but the England captain knows he can solidify his legacy as strong as anyone by leading his team to victory at home next summer.
The 34-year-old is one of four members of the last England squad to win the World Cup 10 years ago, along with Emily Scarratt, Alex Matthews and Natasha Hunt.
Packer will captain the Reds at the newly-named Allianz Stadium at Twickenham if they reach next year’s final.
The World Cup is coming
Packer knows that leading a team to victory at a home World Cup is an opportunity that only a few athletes are given, and getting that chance in front of a sellout crowd in the home of rugby in England was something that was considered very difficult to achieve early on in her rugby career.
Packer knows the next 12 months are about more than just personal accolades and moments. They’re about inspiring future generations of girls and leaving a stronger path than the one she walked.
Whatever happens next year, if Packer leads England to the World Cup final, she will be thinking back to her first visit to the headquarters and the journey she has taken to get to this moment.
She said: “I remember going on a tour of the stadium when I was little. I was seven or eight years old and just starting out in rugby.
“I stole a bit of grass and when I came home my grandfather had planted it, and he always had Twickenham grass.
“Now this is the standard I have for being here. This is where I come and play my best rugby. It’s been a whirlwind of how much my career has changed.
Growing game
“When I first went to the international stage, there were probably 20 or 30 people and a dog watching. Now, playing the Grand Slam final against France (in 2023) at the Allianz Stadium in front of 58,000 people is incredible.
“It’s incredible to get those numbers in the standalone women’s rugby union game. To be a part of it and see that journey has been really special.
“One day I’ll be able to look back and say I played a small part in it. And I hope that those who came before me will be able to look back and say they played their part in getting us to where we are today.
“The biggest goal is to win the 2025 Rugby World Cup not just on home soil, but in front of a sell-out crowd at the home of rugby in England.
“It’s still a long way off, but our next goal is to get a huge crowd for World Cup winners New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium on September 14.”
Building momentum
The match is part of two warm-up games for the Red Roses ahead of the WXV tournament in Canada, where they will face France in Kingsholm.
It will be the second time this year that the Red Roses have played at Allianz Stadium, following their win over Ireland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, and Packer hopes the massive fixture will bring about a major change for women’s rugby.
She added: “The momentum this next block of games will bring is huge for our game. With the 2025 World Cup just around the corner and the World Cup Final taking place at the Allianz Stadium, all eyes are on the Red Roses.
“When you first come here it can be a little bit intimidating, but the more we can do here at home, the more it’s going to be the same when the players come out on the field because we have an ocean of fans cheering us on.
“We would like to play at the Allianz Stadium as often as possible, but we also remember that the Red Roses attract larger crowds when they travel around the country.
“We want accessibility. I want to inspire the future of not just women’s rugby but men’s rugby as well.”
Black fern of the village
The Black Ferns’ visit was billed as a friendly, but when two of the world’s best teams meet, little is likely to be left out on the pitch.
Winning is always the goal for the Packers, but that goal is set on a bigger goal of winning the World Cup after their dramatic loss in 2022.
Packer is confident that achieving this will create a new generation of rugby fans across the country.
“It’s been a crazy journey from that one piece of grass to where I am now,” she said.
“The short term goal is to qualify for France, New Zealand and WXV and do well, but the long term goal now seems very short-lived, like the 2025 World Cup final at the Allianz Stadium.
“That will be the icing on the cake for me and my career. What I want to do during that time is continue to lead the Red Roses and continue to inspire future generations to get involved in rugby.
“We have a really special platform. Hosting a home World Cup, like the Euros for women’s football, is not just about what it can do for women’s rugby, but also what it can do for women’s sport.
“All eyes will be on us and we are focused on maximizing that in every way possible.”
Allianz has recently confirmed its long-term commitment to rugby with a multi-year partnership with the Rugby Football Union. Watch the Red Roses take on the Black Ferns at the newly-named Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on September 14. Head to //EnglandRugby.com/Tickets to secure your tickets!
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