New Zealand were crowned Women’s Rugby Super Series 2019 champions after defeating England 28-13 at the Torero Stadium in San Diego on Sunday 14 July.
England began the day top of the table and provisionally ahead of their opponents in the world rankings, but despite taking an early 10-3 lead, were unable to get the better of the Black Ferns and suffered their first defeat in 17 months.
Renee Wickliffe ran in a hat-trick of tries to inspire New Zealand to a victory that wrapped up the Women’s Rugby Super Series title and kept the Black Ferns top of the World Rugby Women’s rankings.
In the final game of the tournament, France – who defeated New Zealand 25-16 in round three – ended their Super Series 2019 campaign with a comprehensive 53-14 win against USA that saw them overtake Canada and return to third in the world rankings, with the hosts finishing fifth.
Played over five rounds in San Diego, Southern California, the Women’s Rugby Super Series is a performance-focused international competition where the world’s top-ranked 15-a-side teams participated in ten test matches from 28 to 14 July.
The primary objective of the Women’s Rugby Super Series, organised by USA Rugby, is to provide the world’s top five women’s teams with highly competitive playing opportunities that aid preparation on the journey towards the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will take place in New Zealand’s North Island in July and August 2021 in what will be the ninth edition of the tournament and the first to be held in the southern hemisphere.
World Rugby is dedicated to growing the women’s game and recently launched a new ‘Women in Rugby’ brand identity and global campaign ‘Try and Stop Us’, aimed at driving increased participation and engagement among fans, audiences, players and investors in the women’s game.
VIEW TRY AND STOP US CAMPAIGN >>
Women’s rugby is one of sport’s great success stories, experiencing unprecedented growth around the world. Participation levels are at an all-time high with 2.7 million players globally – making up more than a quarter of the global playing population – and a 28 per cent increase in registered players since 2017.
Women’s Rugby Super Series 2019 results:
Friday 28 June
CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER
England 38-5 USA
Canada 20-35 New Zealand
France | BYE
Tuesday 2 July
CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER
France 19-36 Canada
New Zealand 33-0 USA
England | BYE
Saturday 6 July
CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER
France 25-16 New Zealand
Canada 17-19 England
USA | BYE
Wednesday 10 July
CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER
England 20-18 France
Canada 18-20 USA
New Zealand | BYE
Sunday 14 July
TORERO STADIUM
New Zealand 28-13 England
France 53-14 USA
Canada | BYE
Courtesy of World Rugby
