More investment needed in women’s rugby

RUGBY bosses hope a show-stopping end to the women’s Rugby World Cup will spur much-needed investment in the women’s game after decades of neglect.

New Zealand’s 34-31 defeat of fellowheavyweights England before a capacity crowd at Eden Park on Saturday was a fitting end to the grandest edition of a tournament more often regarded as a niche event since its inception in 1991.

Record crowds, including 40 000 for the decider, moved World Rugby chairperson Bill Beaumont to hail the six-week, 12-nation tournament a “massive success”, even though it made a substantial financial loss.

He said a shortfall in sponsorship and broadcast rights was partly due to a lack of commitment World Rugby itself had made to the women’s 15-a-side game.

“It’s a recognition that it has needed more investment,” Beaumont told journalists.

“The standard of play here has been so much better and ... the margins between the winners and losers has got less and, as a spectacle, it’s been a great advert for the game of rugby.”

Beaumont believed a renewed focus over the next decade would spark more growth, catapulted by a tournament in New Zealand that has raised the bar.

In anticipation of more money flowing into the women’s game, World Rugby has increased the number of teams from 12 to 16 for the next three tournaments - in England (2025), Australia (2029) and the United States (2033).

England’s event will have a wider geographical spread than New Zealand - where costs restricted matches to just two cities - while triple-header fixtures in group play will instead be double-headers or even standalone games.

| AFP