The first ever tour of New Zealand still lies two years away, in September 2027.
But current events in Australia highlight the difficulties of extending the women’s venture beyond that first visit.
Let’s imagine it proving a rip-roaring success: huge crowds boost the Black Ferns to a runaway 3-0 victory over the much vaunted Lions, who retire to their cage to lick their wounds.
What next?
The men’s side would look forward to the next tour in four years time, either to Australia or South Africa. But…
“THE MOST ONE-SIDED LIONS’ TOUR EVER!”
Such are the headlines in the press.
The current lack of sharp rivalry in Australia is a signal warning about the limitations the women must surely face. The 27-19 win for the B&I Lions in Brisbane was telling. It was narrower than expected, but reports point to the lack of high drama.
The Wallaroos have never yet beaten the Red Roses, so what chance would they have against the full might of uncaged lions?
Equally important, where on earth would they find other teams to fill out the schedule? Rugby Australia even had to put together a composite Oz-NZ side to add another meaningful match for the men.
Rugby in Oz is struggling against mounting challenges, not least in the simple matter of popularity. That in turn leads to a shortage of funds, and, as the game becomes increasingly professional, money becomes the root of all success.
The third destination for tours is South Africa. There, the discrepancy between the men and women Boks is even more marked than in Aotearoa.
Commentators invariably refer to “the Springbok women”; a formula that finds no parallel in Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy or NZ (Wallaroos, Maple Leafs, etc).
The SARU was very dilatory in developing women’s rugby. The male Springboks were its sole pride and joy. It has altered its policies in recent times, but a Lions’ tour there is at present unthinkable.
The empty stadiums at two WXV tournaments were living proof of the neglect.
The women Boks have no meaningful competition in Africa, so they seek it further afield. They beat Spain 48-26, and have beaten Japan in the WXV.
The Black Ferns’ choice of a 2nd XV to make a first visit across the southern Indian Ocean is another sure sign of the limitations facing future B&I tours.
No doubt the B&I board is hunting diligently for alternatives; there are precious few.
As for the much debated point – pick the squad on merit or not? – the coming RWC may help refine decisions, but I doubt it.
The only logical place (at the moment) from a competitive perspective would be a tour to Canada or matches against France. However, just as with the crowds at WXV2 in SA, the crowds in Canada weren’t large enough; would there be any attraction to playing in France? It might not have the long haul magic of the men’s tours, but it would provide meaningful competition