Why 2017 was the watershed year of women’s footy
What will 2017 be remembered for by rugby fans? There’s a couple of strong narratives, neither of which involve the usual All Black or Super Rugby news – and thankfully, unlike the scandal-filled year that preceded this one, they’re both pretty positive.
One is the ongoing discussion about Pacific Island eligibility rules, which won’t be resolved any time soon. But at least the growing voices from the likes of Charles Piutau and other former All Blacks, plus the defection of Jason Taumalolo from NZ to the hugely successful Tongan rugby league side finally feels like the start of something.
However, the other storyline has definitely cleared the first chapter phase – in fact you could say it’s moved through a massive plot point. Women’s rugby has seen an unprecedented boost over the past season, and it’s in no small part to the role that other football codes have played as well. While it might not seem like it right now, 2017 may well end up being the watershed moment for the women’s game here.
But first, credit where credit is due: the World Cup final in July between the Black Ferns and England will probably go down as the most important women’s fixture in the history of the game to date. Played at Ravenhill in Belfast in front of a sold out crowd of 18,000, the teams put on a sensational display of rugby that ended in a 41-32 win to the New Zealanders.
No massive surprise in the result, even though the English had comfortably won the previous test between the two sides in Rotorua. But for the casual observer, the display of both sides in the final was breathtaking, and capped off a memorable tournament for the Black Ferns. Over the previous three weeks Portia Woodman sprinted, stepped and flat out smashed her way to a number of World Cup try-scoring records – including a stunning eight in one game.
It kicked the issue of parity between the men’s and women’s games back into the spotlight. Much like the Pacific Island wage disparity in the recent test between England and Manu Samoa, it even had a cause célèbre – that the English women’s side that went down in the decider were going to have their full time contracts end at the completion of the season.
In New Zealand, the pressure was put on NZ Rugby to at least increase the match payments that the women were getting after it became common knowledge just how much sacrifice was put in. It was a good discussion, but really, the actual serious signs that action needs to be taken in investing in the women’s game bookended the Rugby World Cup, through the the success of a couple of rival codes in Australia.
Earlier in the year the inaugural AFL Women’s competition took place before big crowds, proving that a female team sport competition could draw interest. That clearly raised the eyebrows of the NRL, who have announced plans for a women’s competition starting next year. This decision came hard on the heels of a successful Women’s Rugby League World Cup of their own – which again featured a highly entertaining final, this time between Australia and New Zealand.
Here’s why rugby needs to act, and act fast. While it is financially the most dominant code in New Zealand, it could lose the attention of potential athletes fast if they can see that there’s money to be made elsewhere. Sound familiar? It’s because that’s what rugby league used to do back when men’s rugby was amateur.
After Woodman, the next highest profile player in either code in NZ would have to be veteran winger Honey Hireme – often referred to by the undeniably catchy nickname ‘Honey Bill Williams’. She’s spent her entire career switching between league and union, representing both the Black Ferns and Kiwi Ferns. Her prodigious talent has helped both win World Cups, but like anyone in her position, the choice of a paid contract in one or the other would be a no-brainer.
Already this year we’ve seen the effects not getting a decent remuneration can have on woman athletes from yet another code: Football Ferns skipper Abby Erceg was forced to retire from the national team, despite being regarded as one of the best players in the world. She cited financial pressure as the reason, with the time freed up by not being involved in international football now spent playing for her professional team in the US.
However, the positive signs after the World Cup have kept coming. The Black Ferns recently received the unprecedented honour of World Rugby’s Team of the Year – the first time the award has gone to a women’s side. Former Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle has been announced as the head of Rugby Australia, which makes her the first female in charge of a test rugby union in history.
But, admittedly, there is a long way to go. There has been no firm commitment by NZ Rugby to fully contract the Black Ferns, with the presumed reasoning being that there simply isn’t enough international women’s fixtures to make it viable. But, this year more than ever is a sign that things are changing – with the national union joining World Rugby in acknowledging the Black Ferns as team of the year as well.
For now though, it seems like any female footballer who wants to make some money will head across the ditch. Given rugby league’s highly flexible eligibility laws, for some of our best women players it might be a one way trip.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
82 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments