Sunday 18 January 2015 17:38, UK
Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi capped off a glorious career by leading Saracens to a Premiership title before retiring to focus on the Olympics.
Saracens Women beat Wasps Ladies 30-0 at Allianz Park on Sunday, with Alphonsi scoring a typically powerful try to put the seal on an emotional afternoon for the 31-year-old.
Alphonsi, who won 70 caps for England during a glittering career, is stepping away from rugby to focus on athletics and hopes to represent Great Britain in the shot put at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The 31-year-old is determined to compete at an Olympic Games and revealed Tokyo 2020 may be an option if she is unsuccessful in qualifying for Rio.
She does so having helped Saracens to a women's title, and she told Sky Sports News HQ: “For us to win the league is absolutely overwhelming. I feel emotional. What I’ve achieved in my career is really special and I’m really pleased with how it’s ended.
“I’m going to enjoy the moment of winning the Premiership with my girls and it was a tough game against Wasps. To get a win like that was really special."
England women's coach Gary Street paid tribute to Alphonsi and in particular the way in which she has changed the way the sport is perceived.
“I thought she would score a try and she was outstanding, like she always is,” said Street. “Anyone who knows her knows how driven she is and she gives you an extra few per cent.
“She was outstanding for us in the World Cup final and it was a fitting way for her to end her career by winning the league title.
“She is an incredible talent and will be missed. I think she’s been the most influential person in women’s rugby, she changed a lot of perceptions on what female rugby players can do.
“She reinvented the game in 2010 and has taken that on in the past four years.”
Now, the focus is placed on the shot put and potential appearances at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
“The first thing for me is working towards potentially Rio,” Alphonsi said. “That is what I am going to focus on going towards 2016 and hopefully beyond that.
“Potentially there could be a Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics. So if I don’t make this Olympics, it is not the end of the world.
“The reality is I am going to give it everything I have got and go for it.
Since the World Cup finished, I went straight into it. As of almost October time, I focused purely on doing my shot put really.
“I still love my rugby. It is something I am very passionate about so I still might play the odd few games here and there but the priority is going to be working towards, hopefully, an Olympics.”
Alphonso played a key role in the England team that ended a run of three successive final defeats to finally land the Women's Rugby World Cup with a hard-fought 21-9 win over Canada in Paris in August.
She has trained extensively in the shot put since and revealed she is looking forward to dedicating herself fully to the sport.
“Since the World Cup finished, I went straight into it. As of almost October time, I focused purely on doing my shot put really,” Alphonsi said.
“I see my coach several times a week. I am trying to now focus on competing and I am now getting my schedule of fixtures.
“I will be doing a bit of the indoor season and hopefully go into the summer season.”
When asked to look back on her career, Alphonsi highlighted England’s World Cup success as an obvious highlight but said a league title with Saracens would mean as much and would be the perfect way to cap off her career.
“There have been so many fantastic moments throughout my career but the biggest one has to be winning the World Cup last year,” Alphonsi said.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I have won quite a few things as an individual and with the international team but for Saracens, the last time we won the Premiership was quite a while ago.
“Last year we missed out by one point. To have that title winning trophy in our cabinet would be a great way to end this season and it would be great for the club.”
