When Every Game Matters

Group Stages Finale

We often think of the knockout stages as where the real drama begins. Win and you stay in. Lose and you’re out. But as we head into the final weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup group stage, we’re reminded that for some teams, the knockout mindset has already arrived.

Take Australia and USA, for example. Having played out a thrilling draw last weekend, each team  now knows their future in this competition hangs on what happens next. For them, this weekend isn’t just about points on the table it’s about survival. The final weekend isn’t just about survival thought – even for teams already through, finishing top of the group isn’t just about pride. It sets up who they’ll face in the quarter-finals, and that can make a massive  difference for their onward progress in this World Cup.

It’s tense. It’s uncertain. And it’s enthralling

What It Teaches Us… and Our Kids

For young players, it’s easy to think only finals or trophies matter. But the truth is, every game is a chance to prove something. Sometimes you’re proving resilience, sometimes you’re proving focus, sometimes you’re proving you can keep giving your best when the stakes are high or when the game is lost and you’re only playing for pride!

That’s what these group stages show us. Even when it’s technically “not knockout yet,” for some, it really is. And that mindset, that willingness to treat every game like it matters, is something our children can carry with them.

What It Teaches Parents

For us on the sidelines, it’s a reminder, too. Not every game will be for silverware. Not every Sunday will be a cup final. But to our kids, sometimes it feels that way. The nervous energy, the build-up, the uncertainty – they’re all part of the experience.

Our role? To keep the bigger picture in sight. To remind them that whether it’s a group-stage decider, a quarter-final, or just another weekend fixture, the lessons they learn are the same: effort counts, resilience grows and the journey matters.

Bringing It Home

As the group stages wrap up and we look ahead to the quarter-finals, let’s take inspiration from the teams fighting for their place. Their determination shows us what’s possible when every moment is embraced.

And as our own season kicks off this weekend, that’s something we can bring onto our own pitches. Because while not every game is a final, every game is a chance to grow.

📖 Reflections like these run throughout Mud, Tries and Tantrums: Raising Happy Rugby Players. Written for parents who want to support their kids in rugby – not just in chasing wins, but in enjoying the whole journey.