Although our Rugby World Cup journey is about to begin, the campaign really started back on July 7, when 45 or so hopefuls assembled at Shawinigan Lake School in Victoria, B.C., hoping a long summer would end with a place on Rugby Canada's 31-man World Cup squad.

My goal was simple: To do my best every single day I stepped on the field to give myself the best possible chance of being on the team. It was going to be a massive challenge, coming off the most difficult 12 months of my rugby career. I had struggled with numerous injuries, any athlete’s kryptonite, which left me questioning my rugby career and abilities on a daily basis. Fortunately, incredible support from my family and the staff at my professional club in the U.K., The Sale Sharks, got me back feeling great again.

My roller-coaster year was followed up a roller-coaster summer, which was both physically and mentally challenging. The pressure of a looming World Cup selection was big. Every moment I was on the field, in games or simply training, was magnified. I focused on my performance and blocked any uncontrollable factors, like other player’s performance. It’s easier said than done.

I was given my first start for Canada in two years on July 29 against Samoa, the No. 12 team in the world. I had to perform. Everything is amplified in international rugby, and the fact I was lined up against an international star like Samoa’s Alesana Tuilagi heightened the situation even more. I knew my performance in this one particular match would hugely influence my World Cup selection.

The game was a big opportunity, as well as a massive challenge for the squad. Anyone who watched that game could instantly tell the players on the field were playing for World Cup spots. The atmosphere at BMO Field in Toronto was unreal, and as the game progressed our confidence grew and grew, each player feeding off one another. I always aim to not only be solid but also try and provide a boost to the team in any way possible. Scoring a try always does that. In the 75th minute of the game, I scored a try to put us ahead. What a highlight.

Unfortunately, we lost 21-20 on the last play of the game. It was devastating, but we proved to ourselves and any naysayers that, at our best, we can compete with the top nations in the world. We all hate losing, but we benefited greatly from this experience.

Soon after it was time for Canada to announce the 31-man World Cup squad. Our fates were sealed. I was nervous. I wanted to be selected more than anything, but self-doubt was creeping in minute-by-minute. Everyone sheds blood for the Canadian cause, and the fact your World Cup dream could be over within seconds is terrifying. Canada is unbelievably close as a squad, so when any player is sent home it affects not only the individual, but the whole team. We're all friends.

I was selected. I'm filled with joy now, but also the responsibility to perform. No one goes to the World Cup just to fill a spot. We want to perform, and create something special. I feel Canada did that four years ago in New Zealand, in my first World Cup. Now we want to better that performance.

In our final three World Cup preparation matches, all within eight days, we beat the Glasgow Warriors professional rugby team and Georgia, but lost to Fiji. My body is sore and tired, but athletes have to dig deep. It was important to experience the pace and power of a top rugby nation like Fiji (ranked ninth in the world) had to offer before going into our opening World Cup match. Although we lost, I know that game will prove invaluable to us moving forward.

Now it's onto the main event. Every player on Canada's roster deals with highs and lows, but that's the beauty of rugby. Every day is unpredictable. A new journey is starting here in Swansea, Wales as we prepare for our opener against Ireland on September 19. We're unbelievably excited to play the sixth-ranked team in the world, on the sport's biggest stage. That's what sport is all about!

I'm going to document my journey throughout the World Cup so make sure to stay tuned. I'm sure it will be a wild ride!

Phil Mackenzie is a member of Canada's National Rugby Team, and plays professionally for Sale Sharks in England's Aviva Premiership. Follow him on his Facebook page.