World champion Black Ferns to be honoured

WELLINGTON: The Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup triumph will be acknowledged more than a month after they won their fifth title.

New Zealand Rugby has announced a ‘‘special event’’ will be staged next week in Manukau to honour the team which beat England 4132 in the final in Belfast on August 26.

It is not yet clear how many of the team will be able to attend Thursday’s event at the Vodafone Events Centre.

Auckland Council says many of the players have returned to work after being away from home for a long time and some have other sporting commitments.

It also acknowledged a midweek celebration meant some people would not be able to attend, but officials had factored in the absence of many of the team.

‘‘The celebration will be a chance for Aucklanders to show how proud they are of the team, and acknowledge their ongoing success on the world stage,’’ Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said in a statement.

NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew defended the relatively late nature of the event, saying fewer than half the team and one coach returned immediately from the tournament.

‘‘If we had a parade when they first got back, it would have been a very small group,’’ Tew said.

Under NZ Rugby stipulations, the All Blacks are required to return home en masse from men’s World Cups, regardless of whether they win or lose.

A full itinerary of Black Ferns World Cup celebrations had not been confirmed, but Dunedin hopes to get on the list. Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose said the council was keen to host a celebration.

‘‘We look forward to hearing from NZ Rugby and are hopeful we are on their itinerary.’’ — NZN