Seven players who will star at the next Women's Rugby World Cup
The 2021 World Cup was attended by a record number of spectators. It’s generally accepted the standard of play was higher than it ever has been.
In 2025 England will host the tournament with an expanded 16 teams. Which players from this World Cup might standout in three years? Crystal ball gazing can be frought, but here are seven players that could flourish.
Here is an early look at the 2025 World Cup players to watch.
Maia Roos (Black Ferns – Lock)
It’s scarcely believable that the Auckland lock is only 21. Roos played every match at the World Cup and usurped the more experienced Joanah Ngan-Woo in the starting XV. Roos has a huge engine and was the leading lineout stealer in the tourney as well as being among the top five Black Ferns for carries and tackles. She has been nominated for the World Rugby women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
Abbie Ward (England – Lock)
The Lion-hearted lock was colossal at the World Cup playing all six matches and at the heart of the Red Roses lineout that won 90 out of 98 throws and scored four tries from rolling mauls in the final alone. In the tight semi-final against Canada, she topped the tackle count with 22 as England foiled an earnest challenge. Aged 29 with 61 tests, Ward still has plenty in the tank and could emerge as a future captain if the immutable Sarah Hunter retires.
Vitalina Naikore (Fiji – Wing)
The winger has been nominated for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year and was Player of Super W Championship after scoring three tires in the final for Fijiana in their 32-29 win over the Waratahs. Naikore was impressive at a ground-breaking World Cup for Fiji where they upset South Africa 21-17 in their last group game. Illusive, busy, and with the skill to play midfield she shapes as a key figure in Fiji’s continued ascent.
Sophie De Goode (Canada – No 8)
The inspirational captain of Canada is only 23. The No.8 led her side to nine wins in their last 10 tests before the semi-final against England where they fell narrowly short. De Goode was the busiest ball carrier of the tournament, made the fifth most tackles, and was even a reliable goal-kicker. With greater investment and players of natural quality like the articulate and athletic De Goode, the largely amateur Canadians can only continue to grow.
Charlotte Escudero (France – Flanker)
When Escudero joined Blagnac at the age of 18 she was earmarked for greater things. The openside flanker was selected for France for the 2022 Six Nations but injury curtailed her involvement. At the World Cup, she grew in stature. She started in the 39-3 win over Italy in the semi-final and was immense against the Black Ferns making 19 tackles and winning three turnovers. Ruthless over the ball, it’s little wonder France had the stingiest defense at the World Cup.
Bienne Terita (Australia – Wing)
The 19-year-old Sevens gun scored two tries on her XV’s debut against the Black Ferns in Adelaide and then repeated the feat on opening night at Eden Park, twice skinning the hosts defence with great speed and anticipation on the outside. Australia is the Sevens World Champions and if they can find a way like the Black Ferns to include Sevens guns while getting a XV’s balance right, they’ll be a handful in 2025.
Gabby Cantorna (USA -Flyhalf)
The center who plays for the Exeter Chiefs was pivotal in resisting brave Japan and was generally solid throughout. The 27-year-old attended Pennsylvania State University and won four National College Championships and was awarded the D1 Elite National Championship MVP award in 2017. Rugby runs deep for Cantorna, who has been outspoken about American players holding down full-time jobs while trying to be professional sportswomen. With the USA hosting a World Cup in 2031 and the Chapter 12 initiative from the NCAA – that is female and male student-athletes receiving athletics scholarship dollars proportional to their participation, the prospect for growth in US rugby is significant.
Jorja Miller (Black Ferns – Loose forward)
Miller wasn’t at this World Cup but the 18-year-old did attend the Sevens version with the Black Ferns in September. The Canterbury loose forward burst onto the sense at Christchurch Girls’ High School helping her team make the National First XV final and winning the Condor Sevens National title. The team was coached by Pat Coady (Brother of Black Fern Olivia Coady). In 2021 she broke into the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team and in the final of the Premiership was the top tackler. Though contracted to Sevens now, Miller may make the switch to XV’s especially if Sarah Hirini doesn’t commit to another XV’s campaign.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
4 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
4 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
4 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to comments