Countdown is on: 100 days until Women's Rugby World Cup Aotearoa
by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
The first Women's Rugby World Cup to be held in the Southern Hemisphere will be hosted by New Zealand, when kick-off begins on October 8 ... 100 days away
11 teams will play across 10 match days alongside reigning host team New Zealand: Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales.
South Africa will square off against France in the first game of the series at Auckland's Eden Park, while matches in days thereafter will be held at Waitākere Stadium and Northland Events Centre in Whangārei.
Eden Park is believed to be the first venue where a men's and women's cup final has been held.
Organisers are pinning their hopes on an international audience when the country's border fully reopens at the end of July.
"What better way to mark the occasion than with tickets to the showpiece event going on general sale," World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said.
"We are striving to set new standards in New Zealand and we are urging fans to purchase their ticket to be a part of something very special and experience the ultimate showcase of women’s rugby this October and November.”
A quartret of spoken word poets from Papakura High School are the voices behind the Rugby World Cup's promotional launch.
Mercy Laufale, Ilhaam Sheik-Freed, Pauline Kaulave and Rosaline Petelo are among dozens of ambassadors - known as "champions" - chosen to raise awareness of women's rugby in lead-up to the cup.
The launch video (above) also features activist Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i, NZ Local Hero of the Year Dave Letele and NRLW player Katelyn Vaha'akolo.
Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director Michelle Hooper said this year's event will the greatest celebration of women's rugby the world has ever seen.
"The last piece to the puzzle is for fans here in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world to show their support in the stands and help us to create an unforgettable atmosphere for our mana wāhine who are taking the field," she said.
“Not only will you be witness to the best women’s rugby in the world and phenomenal entertainment, but you will be at the centre of a unique moment in history for women’s rugby globally.”
Today, tickets for the highly-anticipated tournament go on sale.
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Watch former Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili's beautiful story here ...
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