Players and coaches united as the sport makes its stance unequivocal across all eight final pool-stage matches
Gabby Cantorna may be preparing for one of the most important games of her career, but the USA centre is fully aware that some things transcend winning or losing.
"Keeping rugby clean protects the integrity of the sport," Cantorna said on the eve of Saturday's critical Pool A clash between USA and Samoa. "Rugby is for all and rugby allows for all different shapes and physiques to play."
She, like every player taking part in Rugby World Cup 2025's final pool-stage matches, will warm-up with that unambiguous statement emblazoned in pink across her chest, as part of World Rugby's Keep Rugby Clean Weekend. And she could not be prouder.
"It’s really important to have that message, especially for younger athletes coming through, it’s important we keep everyone on an even playing surface," added Cantorna, who will start her first RWC 2025 match as USA hunt the big win they need to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
RWC 2025, like all World Rugby-run tournaments, is fully aligned with the World Anti-Doping Code and is underpinned by a commitment to education, rigorous testing, and athlete rights. A comprehensive and risk-based testing programme has been implemented in advance, while World Rugby have partnered with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) to provide an extensive in-tournament testing programme.
All measures that have the full support of those who pour their life and soul into the sport on a daily basis.
"We don't want to see any of that extra enhancement," Emily Chancellor, Australia's co-captain said before she attempts to deny Cantorna's USA a knockout spot.
"We're not looking for the edge in that space, we're looking for the edge through hard work on the field and hopefully that's the message that gets shown by us wearing the T-Shirts over the weekend, keeping the message public about Keep Rugby Clean."
Education is at the core of World Rugby’s approach, the importance of which Cantorna fully appreciates.
"I would say to younger players to focus on the foods you’re eating, you can get a lot of the things that are in supplements in natural food sources. Be really diligent about what you’re fuelling your body with and take care of the foods you eat," the 30-year-old said.
"If you cut a corner, it will always come back to haunt you at some point. So do it the right way and have that bit of integrity."
Teammate Kristin Bitter could not agree more.
"We’ve worked a lot to get to where we are and there’s nothing better than to have a goal and achieve it fair and square," the 24-year-old stated. "You feel a lot better for doing it that way."
That is the key for Chancellor. Rugby is in such a good space, players, officials and administrators should do all they can to keep it there.
"The female game is so body-positive at the moment and really inclusive. With the social media world and the way a lot of the players are promoting themselves, they are proud of who they are and proud of the skin they're in, so that message goes nicely in hand with Keep Rugby Clean," Chancellor said.
"It's massively important."
The final word ahead of a huge weekend goes to Ramsey Tomokino, head coach of the Samoa team who take on USA in that pivotal Pool A clash.
"The collective message from us is it’s not worth it and we don’t do it."
