'I think it is cool too... 30,000 people are coming here to support women'
The captains of 12 nations competing at the Women’s Rugby World Cup met at Eden Park on Sunday with the showpiece spectacle set to kick off on the 8th October.
Representatives from each country gathered for photo calls and when interviewed, all oozed excitement for what lay ahead.
Five-time winners New Zealand are on hosting duties and could oversee record-breaking crowds, with more than 30,000 tickets already sold for the opening day at Eden Park.
Fans attending will get to watch a triple header, culminating in the Black Ferns facing Australia, who they beat twice in late August to retain the O’Reilly Cup.
Eden Park last hosted a World Cup final in 2011, when the All Blacks reclaimed their world title, and the Black Ferns will hope something similar plays out this time around.
They are, in truth, the reigning champions, having beaten England 41–32 to reclaim their crown back in 2017.
But despite having home advantage, New Zealand will not enter the tournament as favourites. That title is bestowed upon England who are in red hot form, entering the competition on a 25-game win streak.
As part of that run, the Red Roses did the double over the Black Ferns last Autumn, blowing them apart 43-12, before backing up that statement win with another 56-15 bashing in early November.
Though none of that was playing on New Zealand co-captain Ruahei Demant’s mind when she arrived at the photo call. The meaning and importance of a home tournament was her sole focus.
“I will probably feel emotions I have never felt before. You kind of dream of opportunities like this, playing a Rugby World Cup at home but you never think it would happen,” Demant said. “To be one of the lucky ones, the right time in our careers, the stars are aligned.
“I think it is cool too, just the fact that 30,000 people are coming here to support women – that has never been done before in New Zealand, never before. It is exciting to see the growth among fans and support for women’s sport in general, let alone women’s rugby.”
Fellow co-captain Kennedy Simon was equally enthused and took the time to heap praises on Black Ferns head coach Wayne Smith, whose tenure only began in April of this year.
“It is really exciting that we get to play in front of our family, our home crowd. Preparations have been going awesome. We have got The Professor, Wayne Smith. He is an incredible human who just makes everyone feel at ease and makes just the environment such a hard-working, thriving place,” Simon said.
It would be an exceptional achievement if Smith’s side take home rugby’s biggest prize, but to do so they must topple an England outfit that have their eyes locked on the World Cup trophy.
“It’s incredible what this team has done, the journey we’ve been on and the games that we’ve won but we take nothing for granted,” England captain Sarah Hunter said. “We celebrate those moments and significant milestones but we’re here for the World Cup and our focus is on our next job, which is Fiji and our preparation for that.”
Fiji made history by qualifying for their first ever World Cup and will relish the opportunity to make their tournament debut against England.
“It has been a tremendous journey,” said Fiji captain Sereima Leweniqila. “We are both grateful and excited ahead of our first Rugby World Cup match ever. Since before we left for New Zealand, we have received great and ongoing support, something very new for us. When we arrived in the country, we have met the local Fijian community and we hope they will show up in numbers.”
South Africa and France will open the competition on Saturday with the northern hemisphere side favourited to win. The Springbok Women are the third lowest ranked team competing and will have to fall back on their physicality and power if they are to claim a surprise victory.
But for South Africa captain Nolusindiso Booi, it is as much about inspiring investment and the next generation of players, as it is about winning.
“One has to understand the significance of this tournament and how it can elevate the women’s game on a global scale, but even more so, how it can promote the game back home in South Africa,” Booi said.
“We need to prove to all of those who will take the time to watch us that we are indeed a team worth investing in, whether it is financially or emotionally.
“We have often said – and we honestly believe it – that we want to touch the lives of young girls back home, that we want to show them there is a future and a place for you if you play rugby.”
As the ninth edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup edges closer, much of the focus will be on the audience and outreach the tournament generates. If the opening day at Eden Park is a sign of things to come, this may just be the best tournament yet.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments