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New Zealand wins hosting rights for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The world’s best women rugby players are coming to New Zealand.

The World Rugby Executive Council has overnight awarded New Zealand the hosting rights for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021 (WRWC2021).

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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this is a proud moment for Kiwi’s and rugby fans all around the world,

“I’m hugely excited the event will be held here. New Zealand is the home of women’s rugby, the Black Ferns captured our imaginations again when they won their fifth World Cup title last year, and our entire country will get behind the tournament and all the teams participating in 2021.

“This Government is committed to more women and girls getting involved in sport, so we are enthusiastic supporters of bringing this elite women’s tournament to New Zealand and inspiring a new generation of women and girls to get involved in rugby.”

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Board Member and former Black Ferns captain Dr Farah Palmer is delighted that New Zealand has been awarded the hosting rights for this pinnacle women’s rugby event and acknowledges the critical role of the New Zealand Government in supporting this bid,

“We are honoured and excited to be awarded the WRWC2021 and look forward to delivering the first Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The New Zealand Government strongly supported the bid, with backing from MBIE, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Whangarei District Council.

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“We are looking forward to working together to deliver a world-class tournament for players, officials, fans, commercial partners and spectators watching around the world.”

Five-time Women’s Rugby World Cup veteran and Black Ferns captain Fiao’o Faamausili, speaking from Grenoble in France, said hosting a World Cup in New Zealand will be very special.

“We have the opportunity to showcase the best of women’s rugby in front of the world’s best supporters. I know New Zealand will get behind this because the momentum behind the Black Ferns and women’s rugby is just growing and growing. I speak for all the Black Ferns and future Black Ferns out there that we can’t wait to be part of this celebration of rugby. We are all so thrilled.”

Auckland and Whangarei have been confirmed as the host cities, and this will be the first time that the WRWC has been played in the Southern Hemisphere. Under the plan matches will be played at Albany Stadium, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events Centre, with Eden Park available for the semi final and final.

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New Zealand’s bid was presented by Black Fern and NZR Board Member Farah Palmer, All Black and NZR Board Member Mark Robinson, NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew and they were joined by video by New Zealand’s Prime Minster, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern.

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Jon 19 hours ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

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