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World Rugby announce revised schedule for postponed 2021 World Cup
By AAP
The Rugby World Cup for women in New Zealand will kick off in October next year after a delay of more than 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The tournament was originally scheduled for September and October this year but in March it was postponed until 2022 due to uncertainties caused by COVID-19.
World Rugby released the new schedule on Wednesday for the 12-team tournament that will be played between October 8 and November 12 next year.
The rescheduled World Cup had its tournament window extended from 35 to 43 days, bringing minimum five-day rest periods between games in line with the men’s World Cup.
The format has been rejigged with all games now at weekends – three on Saturdays and three on Sundays – and no overlap between matches.
The original schedule had seen pool stage games kicking off at the same time and six games per match day.
“…while the postponement was disappointing for everyone, it has provided the unique opportunity to review every aspect of the event to ensure it is the best it can be for the players, fans around the world and the wonderful and enthusiastic New Zealanders,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.
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The tournament will be the first Rugby World Cup for women in the southern hemisphere with matches in Auckland and Whangarei.
The pool phase will be played on October 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23, while the quarter-finals will take place on October 29-30 followed by the semi-finals on November 5.
The final and third-place match will take place on November 12, with Eden Park set to create history by becoming the first stadium to host both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup finals.
New Zealand are the holders, having beaten England 41-32 in the final in Belfast in 2017.
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