Cantorna poised for Warriors clash
By James Fowler
3/12/22
Whilst many of the Exeter Chiefs Women’s World Cup stars have taken much deserved extended rest periods following the conclusion of the competition, centre Gabby Cantorna decided to buck the trend and get straight back into the action.
In fact, Cantorna even came off the bench in the Chiefs opening Allianz Premier 15s game of the season against Gloucester-Hartpury a couple of weeks ago, after having not at that point even trained with the squad since arriving back to the Westcountry.
Cantorna’s class certainly showed in the Chiefs dominant 95-0 victory over the DMP Sharks last weekend however, a game in which she was able to showcase her ability with the boot, kicking six out of her seven attempted shots at goal.
Looking ahead to today’s Round 3 Premier 15s encounter with the University of Worcester Warriors Women at Sandy Park (3pm), USA international Cantorna was only too aware of the physical threats that the Warriors will bring, however she was also keen to emphasise that the focus in training has very much been on themselves.
“We’re expecting a physical game that goes on for the whole duration,” said Cantorna. “We know that they’ve had some good results recently, and they look like they’ve been ticking over nicely, so as a team we really want to focus on us and getting our process right and hopefully bringing that physicality in the defence back into Sandy Park.”
“They have a few really electric speedy players that are going to put pressure on us in the outside spaces, so really we’re just looking at executing our basics well, our tackling, attack, catch pass, and I think if we do that we’ll take care of it.”
Cantorna spoke about the challenges there have been early on in the season with players arriving back into the squad at different times, however she was keen to highlight how much the squad has now started to gel.
“First weekend, second weekend it’s difficult with the squad coming back in at different times and I think we’re starting to gel now.”
“We have more practices under our belt, so this will be a really good indicator for us moving forward on what’s working maybe and what isn’t working as well so that we know what we want to keep, and we know what we want to refine moving forward.”
As well there being a diverse mix of nationalities within the Chiefs squad, there is also now a great mix of youth and experience, with many younger players really making a name for themselves during the early parts of the season – and Cantorna believes it is those young players who have set the standard for the squad to meet.
“It’s nice to have everybody back in, great to meet new faces, hear some new accents, but I think overall it’s just nice to see how all the different nations play and then how we combine that to make ourselves the Exeter Chiefs. I think the energy that the younger players have brought and the standard that they’ve set is there for us to meet and I think that’s what’s building the group.
“What’s egging us on is the fact that the younger players did all that hard work and have been playing so well, and all the spots are pretty much contestable now, so it’s a real big challenge for the people coming in.”
Cantorna was keen to highlight how much ‘fierce competition there is week in, week out’ in the Allianz Premier 15s, something the gifted back believes is driving the improvement within the Women’s game both domestically and internationally.
“Having this league and being able to play in England for myself personally is what’s grown my game and I think it’s what’s driven a lot of other countries forward as well, because there is fierce competition week in week out.”
“The world cup is a really intense tournament, but this league is just as intense and every weekend you don’t really know what’s going to happen in the games and that’s what makes it interesting and that’s what keeps us ticking over as well as athletes.”
Cantorna is now very much one of the experienced member of the squad, having been with the side since the summer of 2022, and passing on her knowledge to the younger crop of players coming through seems to have become a key aspect of her role within the group.
“I strive to be really knowledgeable in my game, but I also really like to talk about it with those around me, so I think that I pass it on relatively well. A lot of the young players have some really interesting questions which then encourages me to grow as well.”
Cantorna also spoke about how excited she is to see her fellow American international Kate Zackary, aka, Captain America, back in the side for today’s game.
“Big Kate, love to see her back. She brings tonnes of pace, tonnes of knowledge, and just kind of a steady hand when you need someone to just go forward and get you some gain line meters and make something out of nothing, that’s what she’s there for, she puts her hands up in those moments and it’s lovely to have her back.”