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Laura Delgado’s WXV 3 Diary: Week one… check!
“Dear diary, today…” No, it doesn’t sound right. Someone like Laura Delgado wouldn’t start her diary in that way. The Spanish legend is a rockstar, and rockstars kick it off in a way cooler fashion. So, let’s try again…
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“Hola! Soy Laura ‘Bimba’ Delgado and this is my personal experience in the WXV 3 2024!”. The tighthead prop was challenged by RugbyPass to open her heart and mind and reveal the big and small details of Spain’s journey in WXV 3, which will be decisive for their story in the game.
Spain started their campaign with a thumping victory over Madagascar, scoring thirteen unanswered tries, but their journey kicked off one week before with a warm-up match against South Africa in Cape Town.
“It was a big opportunity to play against the Springbok Women, as it helped us understand where we were as a team and if our focus was in the right place, and in what areas of the game we could improve. I feel we could have scored more points to narrow down the final result, but all in all, it was a good showing of our skills.”
With South Africa behind you, Dubai was the next destination and Madagascar was the first hurdle. How do you think it went?
“When we arrived in Dubai we were already focused on Madagascar and knew exactly what we wanted to do in the opening game. I know the final score shows a big difference between the two teams, but there were moments when the game was messy and a bit chaotic.
“I think the hot and humid weather made the game more difficult for all. I normally don’t sweat that much, but I looked like I’d just finished taking a bath. The ball bounced more like it was a piece of soap, and that was one of the biggest challenges. We need to learn and adapt to those circumstances, so we can be more ready for the next game.”
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Could you name two positive things you took from your opening game? And a negative one as well.
“Our focus. We were focused for the whole game, even if sometimes things didn’t pan out well. Our main goal was to score tries and keep adding points to our tally, and we were able to pull that off. It was also great to see how our replacements came onto the pitch, giving their 200% and allowing the team to keep on the offensive.
“A negative one… hum, I would say we conceded more penalties than we should have, with most coming from high tackles. We slowly adapted to what the match official wanted it, and those lessons will be vital for what we hope to accomplish here.”
Now… a challenge (one of many in this Diary series!): your two favourite players from the opening game?
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“Clara Piquero, not only for scoring a beautiful hat trick but also for the way she took her chances and took advantage of the space out wide. And our centre, Zahia Pérez. She was a rock in our backline, and when it was needed for her to take the fly-half mantle in the second half, she kept pushing us to score more tries and to pressurise Madagascar.”
As Laura Delgado started from the bench, it was Cristina Blanco Herrera starting as Spain’s captain, a role the hooker performed with flying colours.
“Cristi was always going to do well. This isn’t a difficult team to lead, as we like to talk and communicate with each other, making sure that our ideas, anxieties, problems, and solutions are heard. Be the more experienced or youngest members of the squad, they all show a level of confidence and trust that helps us to chase our dreams.
“I am deeply proud of how teammates like Alba Vinuesa and Cris Blanco have grown to become the leaders of our country.”
And what was the most repeated word in this opening week in Dubai?
“Focus. Juan [Marruecos, the Spanish head coach] kept reminding us that very minor distractions can be detrimental to the end goal. For example… when we go out to have a walk or relax, we must avoid being exposed to the sun, as it can have a negative effect on our bodies. Or to not rely on the air conditioning. Our performance can drop because of those lapses. They want us to be ready physically and mentally, and for that, we can’t be carefree.”
Netherlands is the next chapter in Spain’s WXV 3 2024 journey, a long-time rival who also is chasing the World Cup dream. To beat them to the punch, what have the Leonas to do… and what must they avoid doing?
“We can’t let the pressure and anxiety take over. That would be my “we can’t do” thing. It is just one more game against a rival that we immensely respect. There’s a phrase that I like to say ‘No podemos salir de nuestras mismas’ which in English means that we have to be ourselves. We have to be as one, getting ready for this 2nd fixture the best way we can and believe in ourselves.”
Laura, in the Dutch team there are a lot of players who were/are your teammates and friends, right? What would you like to say to them before the game, especially to Linde van der Velden?
“I wish them a great game. I hope that we can produce something special for the fans. We know it isn’t going to be easy for any of us, but we want to share the pitch with them and be able to showcase our best. The word I was looking for is… enjoy. We have to enjoy these moments.”
Now, captain Delgado, let’s go to the fun part of your diary. Tell your audience how you have been doing in Dubai. Any funny stories?
“Oh, we have been having fun here in Dubai! We went to the Dubai Frame, and after we dined in a Lebanese restaurant. It was quite funny because an unnamed teammate decided to eat a small chilli, and… let me tell you that all the yoghurt or milk could not save her tongue.
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“It has been a great first week here. We are a family. We like to watch games, go to the pool together, share music tastes, and watch movies. I feel at home here, with all of them. It feels so natural to share our thoughts and experiences.”
Laura kept going, sharing some deep thoughts and why this Spanish roster is special:
“Look, I am the oldest and have experienced a lot, and even I have had my darkest moments. It’s hard to be a high-performance athlete, there’s a heavy load that tries to cripple us and take us down. But fortunately, I have them to help me. Their kindness, warmth, and worry keep me going on, and on. It’s special when you have a team that looks after each other.”
“When we are together, we like to do a mailbox type of thing, called the Deborah Cartas (the letter eater with a pun). Let me explain to you how it works. If a member of the staff or a player wants to share something with the team in an anonymous way, that person writes it down and leaves it in there to be read.
“There was a letter from someone saying thank you for the individual skills practices; a player shared her thoughts about how another teammate helped her to have more confidence in herself; and, a player from someone outside of the group saying how inspiring we all are. Good vibes, you know?”
And food… anything out of the ordinary?
“Humous! Every day, there’s humous in our meals and I love it! We have been spoiled with excellent food, let me tell you! I won’t be dropping from my 95 kgs for sure!”
With 41 caps under the belt, I think it is time you reveal your match-day routine.
“I wake up, and do my mobility and flexibility exercises, while reviewing the gameplan and what I have to do as a player. I also write down my thoughts and ideas, as it helps me to tackle any type of self-doubting or anxiety. I reflect on what I am going to say to my teammates.
“I always think to myself ‘I can’t make them nervous. Only positive thoughts and joy’, as I need to make them happy. Before we reach those final three hours before the game, we have a body activation drill, and we normally have two DJs, which gives me the chance to dance.”
Dance? So which music has been on the Dubai WXV 3 playlist?
“I can’t only say one music or a genre, as our DJs are quite diverse in their tastes! Amalia Argudo knows her way through the reggaeton world but can pick some great Flamenco or Pop tunes. Lourdes Alameda loves to show her love for French music. The only one not impressed with our music festival is Juan, as he finds our taste for music poor. But we know what music he likes, which is Carolina de M-Clan!”
Laura, the WXV 3 official captains’ team photo… you are the only player smiling and showing ever-lasting happiness. It epitomises who the Leonas are, right?
“The short answer is yes. I have been lucky in my life to be able to enjoy these moments, to share them with my teammates while playing for my country. I cannot but smile and feel happy. I can show my passion for Spain. It means everything to me. This is the way I feel.”
To finish this first entry of your diary… was there any word or line that stuck with you in this first week in Dubai?
“Actually, yes. We have a tradition of writing things to each other, and my teammates wrote me a full page with things that touched my heart and soul. All of them were special, but there was one that really left a mark on me: ‘Laura tu eres pura ilusión y magia’. Meaning ‘Laura, you are pure wonder and magic.’. I cried, and for me, these are moments that I want to live forever.”
