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What to watch in women’s rugby: Pacific Four Series, PWR and more
It promises to be a busy weekend of women’s rugby on both the domestic and international front, and you can watch it unfold with RugbyPass TV.
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Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification will be decided in Madgascar as the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 draws to a close on Sunday.
On Saturday, meanwhile, Australia and USA continue their journeys towards England 2025 in the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 – while Canada and New Zealand set their sights on the title.
In Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), Gloucester-Hartpury put their unbeaten record on the line against Loughborough Lightning in Northampton and a Red Roses star is targeting Inter Service glory at Kingsholm.
All that action and more is available to stream live and free on RugbyPass TV.
Australia, New Zealand enter Pacific Four Series chat
All eyes will be on the World Rugby Pacific Four Series this weekend as New Zealand begin their title defence and Jo Yapp oversees her first match as Australia head coach.
The Black Ferns have never lost a Pacific Four Series match but have plenty to prove having not played since suffering two defeats and finishing fourth in WXV 1 2023 on home soil.
New Zealand director of rugby Allan Bunting has handed debuts to second-row Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu and scrum-half Maia Joseph, while uncapped fly-half Hannah King has been named on the bench, as his side chase WXV 1 2024 qualification.
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USA, who opened their 2024 Pacific Four Series campaign with a 50-7 defeat to Canada last month, need points in their bid to pip Australia to a place at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
The Wallaroos begin life under new coach Yapp at Allianz Stadium on Saturday and welcome back number eight Piper Duck following a frustrating year on the sidelines.
With Canada and New Zealand already guaranteed a ticket to England 2025 thanks to their performance at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021, qualification via the 2024 Pacific Four Series is a straight shootout between Australia and USA.
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The top three teams in the standings at the end of the final match on 25 May will also take their place at WXV 1 in Canada this September and October. The fourth-placed team will compete in WXV 2 in South Africa.
All the action is available to stream for free via RugbyPass TV except where there is a local broadcast deal in place (Canada, New Zealand and USA).
Saturday, 11 May
03:05 BST (GMT+1) – New Zealand v USA, FMG Stadium – WATCH LIVE
07:55 BST (GMT+1) – Australia v Canada, Allianz Stadium – WATCH LIVE
Can Lightning strike Circus?
Premiership Women’s Rugby returns following its Women’s Six Nations hiatus this weekend with the season’s finish line rapidly coming into view.
Defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury sit on top of the standings once again following a flawless season to date in which they have racked up 13 wins from 13 matches.
With only three matches to play until the play-offs, an unbeaten regular season is a distinct possibility for the Circus. And their bid to achieve that remarkable feat takes them to Franklin’s Gardens this Sunday.
Their hosts Loughborough Lightning would need a miraculous run of results to gate-crash the play-off party, but they could yet help shape the top four with Saracens due in Northampton on the final day.
Moreover, if last season’s meeting between these sides at Franklin’s Gardens is anything to go by then Sunday could be a classic.
Gloucester-Hartpury built a 33-5 lead early in the second half last May, but were pegged back to 33-26 with seven minutes remaining before Neve Jones went over to put the gloss on a 40-26 victory.
Sunday, 12 May
15:00 BST (GMT+1) – Loughborough Lightning v Gloucester-Hartpury, Franklin’s Gardens – WATCH LIVE
Winner takes all in Madagascar
Hosts Madagascar head into the final round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 with an opportunity to make history by claiming the title and their place at England 2025.
Backed by vociferous support at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, the Lady Makis have beaten Kenya and Cameroon to ensure they will compete in WXV for the first time this September and October.
Secure a third victory in eight days, against South Africa on Sunday, and the hosts will punch their ticket to a first Women’s Rugby World Cup and ensure their place at WXV 2 2024.
However, standing in their way are the Springbok Women, who have never lost a Women’s Cup match and head into the final round having beaten Cameroon and Kenya by an aggregate score of 118-5.
A third win against the Lady Makis – having won their only two previous encounters 73-0 and 79-8 – would silence the home crowd, book a return to Women’s Rugby World Cup and set up a home WXV 2 campaign. Whoever loses will compete in WXV 3 in Dubai later this year.
Earlier on Sunday, Kenya and Cameroon will hope to finish their campaigns on a high and with their first win of the tournament when they meet in the opening match at Stade Makis.
Sunday, 12 May
11:00 BST (GMT+1) – Kenya v Cameroon, Stade Makis – WATCH LIVE
13:00 BST (GMT+1) – Madagascar v South Africa, Stade Makis – WATCH LIVE
Will the RAF upset the Army?
Fresh from helping England to a sixth successive Women’s Six Nations crown, Amy Cokayne has her sights set on hoisting yet more silverware.
The Red Roses hooker has been included in the Royal Air Force squad for the decisive Inter Service Championship encounter with the Army in Gloucester this Saturday.
Both teams head to Kingsholm with a victory against the Royal Navy under their belts meaning whoever wins this weekend will take the overall title.
The Army have dominated the women’s championship since its inception in 2003, the only year they haven’t won coming five years ago when the Air Force claimed the crown.
In the event of a draw, the Army’s margin of victory against the Navy means they would retain the title.
Saturday, 11 May
11:00 BST (GMT+1) – RAF v Army Women, Kingsholm – WATCH LIVE
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Comments on RugbyPass
No longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
2 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
2 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to comments