Rugby World Cup
Dead rubber: a phrase that is easily lost to players, writes Shannon Parry
Shannon Parry, Australia captain at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup
October 8, 2015
Ruck 'n' Maul: Australia looking strong

Dead rubber: it's a phrase lost on players as we cherish each and every opportunity to pull on our national jerseys; we never know if or when we will be given an opportunity to wear these unique colours again.

I'm fortunate enough to have worn Australia's colours since the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2010; and the opportunity to debut in the green-and-gold in front of family and friends was a memorable occasion that I will cherish for the rest of my life. The Australian jersey -- any national jersey -- is something special, as it has to be earned, and the opportunity to represent your country is an incredible honour that puts you in a minority of the sporting population. You get an immense sense of pride and privilege when you pull on your national uniform; it is never taken lightly.

© Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Our Australian uniform reminds us of our traditions and heritage along with our rugby culture of past and present players. The jersey has a legacy, and that is something you are always trying to uphold on and off the field. Putting on the green-and-gold colours always sends a tingle down my back; it is a feeling that is so hard to explain but a sensation that you never forget. Our uniform is a symbolic form of identity recognised throughout the world, an honour and reward for all the hard yakka you put your body and mind through to get there. Every single jersey is earned with endeavour and sweat, and that is one of the reasons why it means so much to wear it - and why athletes undertake the roller-coaster ride to represent their country; it's why players don't understand the phrase "dead rubber".

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Raw emotion and feelings run through your body when you take to the field and stand shoulder to shoulder with your team-mates and sing your national anthem. You get the tingling sensation, goose bumps and excitement, that you are about to go into battle. A lot of thoughts race through your mind during the anthem; I like to use this short time to reflect on those before us. You are not only representing yourself, team-mates, family and past players, but also your nation as a whole. As you sing the final words of the anthem, the line starts to sway and the heart starts racing. It is an unreal sensation that is so hard to describe, but an intense moment that prepares you for battle.

© MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images

Dead rubbers? Not so much.

Race to finals hotting up

At this World Cup, the race for the Webb Ellis Cup is hotting up. Teams in the final pool games are trying to polish things ahead of the quarterfinals, or to make a final lasting impression before they depart the tournament.

It is safe to say that New Zealand have had an easier pool that other high-profile quarterfinalists. However, you must ask whether their lack of games without fear of defeat since Argentina on the opening weekend will be a help or a hindrance leading into their quarterfinal against Ireland or France, who play each other in a Pool D-deciding game of major consequence on Sunday. Ireland and France both have already cemented their place in the quarterfinals, and both will be chasing the win to secure a "better" finals crossover against the Pumas.

© Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Talking of games of consequence, neither Australia nor Wales will give an inch in their massive Pool A decider having each defeated England. I'm expecting a big game between teams keen to avoid South Africa in the quarterfinals, and who will want to continue their winning momentum and emotions leading into the quarterfinals. The winners also will play Scotland or Japan in the quarterfinals, and those rivals look "easier" on paper than do the Springboks.

© Shannon Parry
Shannon Parry is an Australian Sevens player and captain of the Australian team that competed at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup

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