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Women’s Rugby World Cup – Day Two Whangarei

After the excitement of opening day in Eden Park, has a full stadium been so quiet when Australia were 17-0 up… The action on day two of the Women’s Rugby World Cup moved to Whangarei where the remaining six teams took the field for the first time.

The Northlands Stadium is a unique stadium with a large hill opposite the main stand from which you can enjoy the game picnic style.

Large groups of Welsh and American fans have made the long journey to support their team, although the fans of the day award goes to these three Japanese fans who flew from Japan for their match against Canada and will fly back after the game – Chapeau!

More photos from day two can be found here

Auckland and The World Awaits… The Women’s Rugby World Cup

The bitterly cold wind has faded as the weekend approaches leaving the City of Sails bathed in spring sunshine for the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 – played in 2022.

Covid forced a twelve-month delay and destroyed the qualification hopes of several countries including Hong Kong. But for those who made it, the extra year has allowed them time to improve…

The opening day’s matches at the iconic Eden Park are a 45,000 sell out and the merchandise booth in the city centre is doing brisk business as young and old get ready for the tournament to begin.

New Zealand is a rugby-mad country, but Auckland in its first major event post covid is not really ‘feeling’ the RWC2021 yet… And it’s the visiting Fijians who are making the noise as Fijiana make their debut at a Women’s World Cup.

All the matches can be enjoyed on World Rugby’s free live stream and Auckland is 5 hours ahead of Hong Kong.

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World Rugby Announces Upcoming Locations of Rugby World Cups

At its Annual Meeting in Dublin, World Rugby confirmed the locations for the next three women’s and two men’s Rugby World Cups:

England to host Rugby World Cup 2025 (women’s)
Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s)
USA to host Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s)

World Rugby also confirmed a new partnership approach towards hosting the Rugby World Cup that looks to as they put it “stimulate the dynamic development of rugby globally and increase investment in the women’s game”. It was also confirmed that the 2025 Women’s World Cup will expand to 16 teams.

After the announcement, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Today, we have approved three exceptional Rugby World Cup host nations – England, Australia and USA – providing unprecedented certainty and an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate the growth and impact of rugby globally. It is great for rugby, for fans and for the host nations.”

“Today is a landmark moment for the sport and exciting development for fans. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this dream a reality as we look to deliver a truly global sport for all.”

“We are thrilled to be hosting Rugby World Cup 2025, it is going to be incredible,” said RFU Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer and former England captain Sue Day. “As we have seen from other home World Cups in cricket, hockey and netball, a Rugby World Cup will further advance all women’s sport.”

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “This is a historic day for rugby in Australia. We’re beyond thrilled to be welcoming not one, but two Rugby World Cups to our shores. It’s a game-changer for rugby in this country, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and secure the future of the sport here and see the game we all love grow and thrive for years to come.”

“I speak for the rugby community and fans across the United States when I express our sincere gratitude to World Rugby for their trust and endorsement of our vision to grow this incredible sport exponentially across our country.” added USA Rugby Chief Executive Ross Young. “USA Rugby will now venture into a new era and ensure the sport’s most treasured event is a springboard for creating lasting, sustainable enthusiasm and passion for rugby from coast to coast.”

The postponed women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will take place in New Zealand later this year with the final held at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland on xx November 2022.

If readers are interested in news and ticket information about future Rugby World Cups the sign up here www.rugbyworldcup.com/newsletter.

additional reporting, images: World Rugby

Rugby World Cup 2021 to be Postponed

World Rugby Statement

World Rugby has made the difficult decision to recommend the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October, until next year. The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee on 8 and 9 March respectively.

While appreciating the recommendation is extremely disappointing for teams and fans, it has their interests at heart, and gives the tournament the best opportunity to be all it can be for them, all New Zealanders and the global rugby family.

The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape. It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage.

The challenges include uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand, and challenging global travel restrictions.

World Rugby can assure teams, New Zealanders and the global rugby family that the recommendation to postpone the tournament will help to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2021 will be all it can be next year for players, fans and the rugby family – one of the great Rugby World Cups.

Further updates will be issued following the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee meetings next week.

Image: worldrugby