NZR steers Cup bid north
Auckland will be the epicentre of the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, should New Zealand Rugby succeed in its bid to have the Black Ferns defend the cup on home soil.
Based on the bid filed with World Rugby early today, that home soil would be in Auckland, with only Whangarei outside the city of sails to host a match.
A decision on the host will be made by the World Rugby Council on November 14.
It’s a commercially cautious bid by NZR, which has backing from the Government, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development and Whangarei District Council.
While women’s rugby is taking off in New Zealand, with the Black Ferns and sevens sides massively gaining in profile, it is difficult to predict what size crowds would attend Cup games not featuring the Silver Fern.
As well, it is hard to foresee the precise drawing power of the Cup on its first visit to the southern hemisphere, or to predict interest levels from three years distance.
If the New Zealand bid is accepted, it will be the first time the tournament has left the northern hemisphere.
Seven of the eight cups have been hosted in Europe, the other in Canada.
While television audiences have reportedly been strong, there have been concerns about small crowds at the venues.
So NZR has opted for an Auckland base, as the city has a massive population catchment, and its airport offers the smoothest connections to the world.
Australia, which is also mounting a bid, has come up with a similar regional plan, announcing Newcastle and the Hunter region in NSW will host the tournament, if it is approved.
If the bid succeeds matches would be played at Albany Stadium, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events Centre, with Eden Park also available.
While Eden Park with its 50,000 seats would likely sell out should the Black Ferns be in the final – as they have been in five of the last six Cups – caution dictates it is on the bench at this stage.
Albany Stadium on the North Shore is listed as having 25,000 seats, Waitakere Stadium in west Auckland 5000, and Whangarei’s Northland Events Centre – which hosted the British and Irish Lions last year – 17,500.
NZR board member and former Black Fern Farah Palmer said hosting the Cup would provide the platform for World Rugby to take the women’s game to the next level.
Palmer led the Black Ferns to three successive World Cup wins between 1998 and 2006.
‘‘The opportunity to host the event in New Zealand for the first time would be a privilege and a beacon to continue to grow the women’s game in New Zealand and globally.
‘‘[It] provides New Zealand with an opportunity to continue to grow the Black Ferns legacy, inspire women globally, encourage girls and women around the world to pick up a rugby ball and provides opportunities to develop women’s rugby in the AsiaPacific region.
‘‘NZR is highly experienced in the operational planning and delivery of world class events with sustainable commercial returns.’’
NZR was exploring the option of hosting a Pacific Island women’s rugby tournament alongside the Cup, Palmer said.
Women’s rugby in the Pacific Islands is nowhere near the strength of the men’s. From Oceania, only New Zealand and Australia entered teams in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, though Samoa entered a side in 2014.
Palmer said a Pacific Island women’s rugby tournament would help grow the game and provide experience and development opportunities for players.’’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government ‘‘fully supports’’ the bid.
‘‘We would be thrilled for the event to be held here,’’ Ardern said, outlining the country’s good record as a host of sports events.
‘‘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 would get behind the tournament and all the teams participating.
‘‘It’s exciting to see the regional element to our bid. I know Northland will embrace games being held in their part of the country and their local support will be a key ingredient in its success.’’