This week, even the most magnificent Rugby World Cup finals will be unable to rival the heights reached by Marlie Packer’s courageous grandfather. Ken Packer is 85 years old, yet that did not stop him from diving off the Sky Tower, the tallest skyscraper in New Zealand, while tethered to only thin cables. If England exhibits the same fearless, can-do attitude at Eden Park, the outcome will be determined.
His warrior granddaughter, who was ready for her third consecutive World Cup final, was equally as stunned and impressed as the rest of the crowd. “We were unable to believe it. They announced that everyone over the age of 75 could leave for free. They gave him a unique device for his glasses to prevent them from falling off his head, and he left. He admired it. “I can’t believe I jumped off of that!” he said as we retraced our steps past it later that evening.
Welcome to the Packer family, for whom nothing is impossible. Before his retirement, Ken assisted in the construction of helicopters at the Westland factory in Yeovil, and you could say that Marlie plays a similar job for England, specializing in the unglamorous components that allow her squad to fly. As a crucial breakdown presence, maul poacher, and all-around energizer, Packer will have a significant impact on whether or not the Red Roses reach the pinnacle of rugby.
Observing her pile on, completely indifferent to the repercussions, makes one question whether she even feels pain. Curiously, the answer is both yes and no. “I am something of a coward off the field. I’d consider I’m A Celebrity to be my worst nightmare. I detest creepy crawlies. I dislike being cold as well. On the field, however, I am totally fine. As soon as I reach that line, an internal switch flips. Even if I’m severely injured, you’ll still have to haul me away.”
She is also the sole mother on this Red Roses team, with a two-year-old child at home. If being 11,500 miles apart for six weeks has not always been easy – “I’ve been missing him, but we’re on the home stretch” – their regular phone talks have provided some solace. “This morning, he showed me his dragon book and described the colors of the dragons. He calls me Mummy Pickle, but FaceTime may be difficult at times due to his penchant for pushing red buttons. “Don’t put the phone down on me, Oliver,” I must tell him.
Perhaps it is for the best that the 33-year-old Packer is ready to earn her 89th cap and knows how to prepare for a big game. These two previous finals, one win, and one loss have also taught her a great deal about seizing the moment. “For the first time [in 2014], I was a young buck. Alex Matthews and I were only there to have fun… I recall us jumping around our room together after the finalist selection was announced. She was on the bench when I took the field. If you had asked us five weeks ago, we never would have predicted that it would occur.
Even better was her other favorite memory from that event, which occurred immediately after she contributed two tries in the semi-final versus Ireland. “Five minutes before the final whistle, it was evident that this team was exceptional. Something had clicked, and I had never before felt that way about a team. I was certain that we would never lose 2014 final versus Canada.
The 2017 experience was rather dissimilar, with New Zealand storming back from a 17-10 halftime deficit to win 41-32. “We had won 16 or 17 consecutive games before that World Cup. We believed we were in an excellent position, and the first half was flawless. New Zealand, though, was aware that our pick-and-go game was our Achilles’ heel. We began to sense that it was slipping away, and suddenly I was abducted and had no control over the situation. In certain respects, did we dig deeply enough into ourselves in 2017? Regardless, the superior team won the evening.”
However, Packer and her teammates have their sights set on the prize this time. The semi-final versus Canada was occasionally uncomfortable, but England’s no-nonsense flanker believes her team will be difficult to defeat in the final. “You don’t get a winning streak as we’ve had by luck. We must just verify that we are us. I have no concerns about New Zealand. They have won several World Cups, and we are in their backyard. However, I was a member of a squad that defeated them here previously. We have previously played in tough surroundings in France, so we are familiar with such conditions. We know we must get out to a good start, keep the scoreboard moving, and remain physical in all facets of the game.”
And when the going gets difficult, her grandfather’s example will not be her sole source of inspiration. “I have not traveled here to repeat 2017. I desire to return home with the object for which I have trained for the past five years.
It’s all or nothing for me. The next 80 minutes will determine whether we’ll be taking home the trophy and a gold medal or going home as losers. Nobody ever recalls finishing second.”
