A Review of the Women’s Rugby World Cup So Far
Although a year later than it was originally billed, we’re now well into the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022, and so far, the opening rounds have certainly done a lot to help put women’s rugby into the sporting limelight.
Here we’ve recapped the tournament so far and have given some insights into who is tipped for victory and how the competition is benefiting the women’s game.
The opening rounds
The exciting opening rounds featured across all three of New Zealand’s chosen venues and largely the favourites for each fixture came out on top, bar a relatively close 18-15 victory for Wales over Scotland.
The host nation’s Black Ferns beat Australia 17-41, Italy, Canada and France comfortably overcame the United States, Japan and South Africa respectively and England’s Red Roses thrashed Fiji by an emphatic 19-84 margin. This result has now put England on an astonishing 26 Test winning streak.
The current favourites
England went into the tournament as favourites and very much still remain the side that’s expected to win outright come November 12th. However, it’s still early doors and a lot can change when the pressure is on during a major tournament.
For those of you who might be looking to back a different team, the Telegraph Sport’s experts have also suggested that New Zealand may also gain some momentum via the home advantage. Canada have also been tipped as dark horses by former England international Maggie Alphonsi who suggests their recent good form in the Pacific Four Series will help them.
Notable instances and reflections
Looking at the bigger picture on the tournament, there are some fantastic positives to be seen already. For instance, the BBC has suggested how it’s already been a ‘turning point in the women’s game’ and the performances of England, France and New Zealand have demonstrated that ‘investment works’ – as all three have had enough funds to be now recognised as ‘professional’. Perhaps this will then be enough encourage other nations to follow suit.
Another notable point in the same article is that the attendance for the first three matches at Auckland’s Eden Park ‘was confirmed at 34,235, making it a women's World Cup record and fulfilling expectations that this will be the biggest tournament of its kind yet’.
Final thoughts
Although this officially is the ninth edition of the tournament, there’s a belief that this year’s event is the first time it’s truly been on the world stage in terms of awareness and promotion. The hope is that the next few weeks bring us the same exciting spectacle we’ve seen so far, as this can only further boost the game’s profile and encourage a new generation of female players to take up rugby union.
