Every Kiwi is telling us that an England-New Zealand final is the perfect fit for the last day of the ninth World Cup. I beg to differ. Yes, it’s perfect for the administrators, media moguls and money-minders. Only this way could the organising committee fulfil its stated wish to sell every seat for the occasion.
Rugby World Cup 2021 final at Eden Park on Saturday 12 November set to attract yet another world record crowd following nail-biting semi-final victories for England and New Zealand. Almost 8,000 tickets snapped up immediately after final whistle. While current seating is almost entirely allocated, a review of remaining space is underway as organisers look
Continuity, but… The management had two choices: either a team warming up for the final; or the team needed to get past Canada. For Simon Middleton it was a case of ‘Continuity, but…’ so Claudia MacDonald returns from injury to play left wing, which means Abby Dow has to switch sides again. Tatyana Heard goes
The excellent news for France is that Romane Ménager is pronounced fit to play against New Zealand in the RWC semi-final. That had seemed very unlikely as she looked distinctly groggy after making a tackle in the pool-stage match against England. But she was allowed to restart (non-contact) training as long ago as mid-October. Her
Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Joy Neville (Ireland) will take charge of the Rugby World Cup 2021 semi-finals at Eden Park this weekend. World Rugby has today confirmed that Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Joy Neville (Ireland) will take charge of the Rugby World Cup 2021 semi-finals at Eden Park this weekend. It will be
First the line-ups: Saturday 5 November: Canada v England, kick-off 03.30 New Zealand v France, kick-off 06.30 Both times GMT The Outlook Just four sides are left, and they happen to be the top-four in world rankings. The long-term hope must be that within the space of three short years other nations – USA? Italy?
At last the door is unlocked. Simon Middleton has announced the team he thinks best placed to carry the flag into the knock-out stages. It looks devilishly strong. The Chosen XV: 15. Helena Rowland, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy
A Look at all four matches England v Australia These two nations have a certain history in the world of sport, but in rugby union they could hardly be more different. RU in Australia remains a minority interest in both the men’s and the women’s versions. The central effect is to leave Rugby Australia very
Simon Middleton believes that “nerves” played a part in another slow start for England as the Red Roses thrashed South Africa to cruise into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. Hat-tricks from Rosie Galligan and Connie Powell ensured that England overcame a shaky opening quarter to power away from their opponents with their forwards again to
Result: England 75 South Africa 0 Player of the Match: Rosie Galligan The result was what we expected, but what some, including World Rugby, feared. Although the bald figures make the game look totally one-sided, the Boks caused the English plenty of worries, committing them to a torrent of early tackles. But the underdogs weren’t
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