New Zealand beats rivals to World Cup

New Zealand has won the right to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, bringing the tournament to the southern hemisphere for the first time.

World Rugby voted 25-17 in Dublin yesterday to award the hosting rights to New Zealand over a rival bid from Australia.

New Zealand women, five-time world champions, will now have the chance to play a World Cup at home for the first time.

The 12-team tournament will take place over six weeks with matches played in Auckland and the northern city of Whangarei. The final will be at Auckland’s Eden Park, which hosted the men’s World Cup finals in 1987 and 2011.

Australia were backed by Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales but New Zealand carried most southern hemisphere nations.