The brute facts behind fears for the Women's Rugby World Cup
Following the postponement of the 2021 Women’s 6 Nations, concerns are spreading across the women’s game about the viability of staging the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
RWC2021 in New Zealand is set for September. It is still awaiting qualification of a quarter of the participating teams. Alongside hosts New Zealand and 2017 runners-up England, France, USA, Canada, Australia, Wales, South Africa and Fiji are confirmed. The remaining three places require completion of four further qualifying tournaments or World Rugby will be forced to consider using the world rankings where Italy and Ireland are best placed, followed by Spain.
The Rugby World Cup is seven months away. Decisions must be taken by World Rugby to allow sufficient time for unions to prepare their women’s teams accordingly. Those decisions, however, may not be about how to determine the final qualifying teams but more the viability of staging the tournament in its entirety.
New Zealand has seen just over 2,200 cases of COVID-19 among a population of over four million. The country operates a strict 14-day quarantine procedure for all passenger arrivals, through managed isolation costed at $3,100 (NZD) per adult or $4050 for a maximum of two adults per room. It is hard to see that their immigration strategy will change by September, given its effectiveness.
Quarantining an entire RWC squad and its support staff would cost upwards of $100,000 (approx. £52,600 GBP). It is not clear yet whether this cost must be swallowed by each union or on behalf of all twelve teams by World Rugby, a cool $1.2m.
This 14-day period may also affect team squad sizes. Should a scrum-half or tighthead prop suffer an injury in the opening round of matches on Sept 18th, the option to fly in a replacement would at best mean they are available after quarantine by October 4th, missing the remaining pool matches and the quarter-finals the day before. Squad sizes may therefore need to increase from a likely 32 to 35, again increasing costs on World Rugby’s potential quarantine and tournament food bill.
The amateur status of the majority of the women’s game means players’ availability to participate may also be affected by the quarantine. While World Rugby were right to extend the tournament to allow for greater rest periods between matches, it is now a four-week competition. Assuming teams would arrive to acclimatise and train a week before it starts, this five week trip becomes seven weeks with the managed isolation taken into account. Women’s rugby players have courted many considerate employers over the years to allow them to train and play for their countries but this extended period of absence may be an ask too far and will no doubt be in the minds of athletes now as they continue their preparation.
Sources among some qualified unions have spoken of a determination to find solutions and that World Rugby are liaising with the NZRU and New Zealand government, no doubt on any ways to circumvent the strict entry requirements. Unions are expecting to receive more information next month with a wider decision on the tournament expected by March.
A World Rugby spokesperson commented: “World Rugby is working through any logistical challenges in full partnership with participating unions and the host union and remains confident that a spectacular tournament will go ahead as planned.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments