All 18 teams qualified for WXV- here’s how they did it
All 18 places have now been taken in WXV 1, 2, and 3. Here’s how each of the teams qualified for the new competition which begins in October.
WXV 1
New Zealand will host England, France, Wales, Canada, and Australia in the top tier of WXV, starting on 21st October.
England
A successful Six Nations grand slam campaign for England saw them qualify as the highest-ranked team in the European competition following their win against France on a historic day at Twickenham.
France
Second in the Six Nations following a well-fought Grand Slam decider at Twickenham where they suffered a narrow 38-33 defeat, France qualified for WXV 1 after some impressive performances along the way.
Wales
Wales took the hotly-contested third place in the Six Nations to secure the final WXV place on offer from the competition. Wins against Ireland, and Scotland combined with a final-day victory over Italy secured their place in the top flight of WXV.
New Zealand
WXV 1 hosts New Zealand confirmed their place through their top-place finish at the recent Pacific Four Series. Playing in front of record-breaking crowds, the Black Ferns won all three of their matches in emphatic fashion.
Canada
A second-place finish at the Pacific Four Series was sealed with a 45-7 win against Australia on the final day and earned them a place in WXV 1.
Australia
The Wallaroos’ third place at the Pacific Four Series earned them a place in WXV 1. The key match which secured their qualification was a 58-17 win over the USA.
WXV 2
Scotland, Japan, the USA, Samoa, and Italy will be hosted by South Africa in WXV 2 from 14th October.
Scotland
Wales’ win over Italy on the final day of the Six Nations to take the third WXV1 place up for grabs gave Scotland automatic qualification for WXV 2 as their fourth place was determined before their final game against Ireland.
Japan
Japan secured their place in WXV 2 by beating Kazakhstan in the final of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.
South Africa
Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2023 winners South Africa earned their qualification for WXV 2 by beating Madagascar 79-8 in the final.
USA
The USA Eagles were added to WXV 2 at the end of the Pacific Four Series, where they finished fourth after failing to win any of their matches. Their closest result came against New Zealand when they suffered a 39-17 loss.
Samoa
Samoa’s nail-biting 19-18 victory over Fiji in the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship final gave them the one WXV 2 place up for grabs in the competition.
Italy
After winning a two-leg WXV 2 playoff with Spain, Italy were given the final space in the second-tier competition.
WXV 3
Dubai will host Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Fiji, Colombia and Spain from the 14th of October.
Ireland
Due to Ireland’s sixth-place finish at the Six Nations, they were the first team to qualify for WXV after failing to win any of their matches.
Spain
As losers of the playoff with Italy, Spain took the remaining place in WXV 3.
Fiji
After finishing second to Samoa at the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship, Fiji will compete in WXV 3.
Kenya
Kenya secured their place in WXV 3 with a 52-3 win over Cameroon in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup which saw them finish second overall.
Colombia
In a two-leg series, Colombia won both games against Brazil to join WXV 3. Their first game was a narrow 24-23 win, but their second with a 30-19 scoreline was the key to their qualification.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan qualified for the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship final with a win against Hong Kong. They were then awarded a place in WVX 3 following their loss against Japan in the final which meant they finished second.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments