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Wellington, May 12, 2021
The dates for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand have been announced with the Tournament to run from October 8 to November 12, 2022.
The 12-team Tournament which was due to be held this year in Auckland and Whangarei was postponed due to Covid-19.
The new dates mean that the Tournament will be extended from 35 to 43 days, and that all teams will have a minimum of five rest days between matches in align with the approach recently approved for the men’s competition.
The extension of the Tournament window also allows for a revamped Tournament format that will see all matches take place on Saturdays and Sundays with no overlap.
The pool phase will be played on the weekends of 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 October 2022 at Eden Park, Northlands Events Centre in Whangarei and Waitakere Stadium.
The quarter-finals will take place on 29-30 October followed by semi-finals on Saturday, November 5, 2021,
The Bronze Medal match will be played on Saturday, November 12, 2022, 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.
Hope and anxiety
Speaking to Morning Report, Organising Committee Chairperson Dame Julie Christie hoped that the borders would be open by then.
“You would like to think so, wouldn’t you? We have been through a big planning process of course in order to make sure that the delay will work for the players and world rugby and New Zealand rugby so we are very hopeful. That’s all we can be these days,” she said.
Dame Julie said that having games on the weekends would be good for players and enable bigger crowds at games. Daylight savings and warmer weather would also be in effect.
“Believe it or not this actually probably works better for us as a Tournament. Ticket prices are yet to be determined but “Women’s Rugby is based around family and will be an important part. Therefore, there will be reasonably priced tickets to ensure families can attend, and especially children. Women’s Rugby is the fastest growing segment of the game, so we will be looking to ensure that as many young women as possible can attend,” she said.
Promoting Women’s Rugby
World Rugby Chair Sir Bill Beaumont said, “We are committed to accelerating the women’s game at all levels. While the postponement was disappointing for everyone, it has provided a unique opportunity to review every aspect of the event to ensure that it is the best it can be for the players, fans around the world and the enthusiastic New Zealanders.”
The competition has kept its world cup 2021 branding with an addition of – in Te Reo Maori “Now playing in 2022.”
The above Report has been published under a special agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
