Farah Palmer struggled to contain emotions after her passionate presentation helped secure New Zealand the right to host the 2021 women's Rugby World Cup, the first to be staged in the Southern Hemisphere. The Black Ferns, five-time world champions, finally get the chance to play at home. Dr Palmer, the legendary Black Ferns captain turned New Zealand Rugby board member, led the winning presentation at a World Rugby council meeting in Dublin alongside former All Blacks midfielder and fellow NZR director Mark Robinson. NZR chief executive Steve Tew and former All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson also attended after a combined group worked behind the scenes on bid for the best part of 12 months. In the end, New Zealand comfortably defeated Australia, the other formal challenger to stage the tournament, 25 votes to 17. "I'm over the moon," a beaming Palmer said. "This is about the momentum we've got for women's rugby. With the Black Ferns based in Aotearoa, New Zealand, we pitched it that if … [Read more...] about NZ wins bid to host women’s Rugby World Cup
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Andrew Gourdie: Are you prepared for Rugby World Cup heartbreak?
OPINION: What a couple of weeks it has been for fans of the All Blacks. Defeat to the Springboks in Wellington came as a genuine surprise. The team had, to this point, been so utterly dominant in the Rugby Championship - three wins from three, cruising to the title, and could all but sew it up with victory against a South African team coming off the back of a loss to Argentina and Australia. How hard could this challenge really be? And then it happens. The All Blacks make uncharacteristic errors, concede five tries, claw their way back, before blowing a chance to win it at the death. Andrew Gourdie: Rieko Ioane's powerful statement Andrew Gourdie: Why Beauden will remain ABs first-choice Andrew Gourdie: The big decision facing Joseph Parker Just like that, the seemingly unbeatable team suffer defeat, at home, against a side nobody perceived as a threat. The end is nigh. The initial fan reaction is shock. Did that really happen? It did. But what a game! Congratulations to the … [Read more...] about Andrew Gourdie: Are you prepared for Rugby World Cup heartbreak?
2019 Rugby World Cup countdown: Complete guide with one year to go
So, it's T-minus one year until rugby's biggest tournament takes centre stage in Japan – the first time the World Cup will be held in Asia. The hosts kick-off the showpiece against minnows Russia on September 21, 2019 at the Tokyo Stadium – and they will hope to start as they did in 2015 when they produced a stunning victory over the Springboks in a blockbuster on the south coast. Holders New Zealand are, despite last weekend's slip-up against South Africa, firm favourites to retain their crown – but can any of the northern hemisphere sides challenge the formidable All Blacks next autumn? England looked to be their strongest challengers until a string of big defeats in 2018 was coupled with Ireland's emergence as a true world force. But there are still plenty of contenders among the big rugby nations. Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the year ahead, the stadiums, how the home nations are shaping up and just how strong the three southern hemisphere sides are … [Read more...] about 2019 Rugby World Cup countdown: Complete guide with one year to go
Scotland confirm Rugby World Cup warm-ups against France and Georgia
0 Have your say Scotland have today confirmed four warm-up fixtures prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. READ MORE - Six uncapped players named in Scotland Summer Tour squadGregor Townsend’s men will face each of France and Georgia twice, home and away, in August and September of next year.The summer Test schedule will begin on 17 August with a trip to France. The squad will then travel on to Georgia for a match on 24 August before returning home.They’ll then face off against France at BT Murrayfield before hosting Georgia at the same venue one week later on 6 September.The 31-man squad will then set off for their training camp in Nagasaki, Japan, ahead of the World Cup starting on 20 September.Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “With 18 months to go until Rugby World Cup 2019, our planning for the tournament is well underway.“These warm-up matches against quality international opposition will give us the chance to assess fully where we are as a … [Read more...] about Scotland confirm Rugby World Cup warm-ups against France and Georgia
2019 Rugby World Cup: Scotland to face France & Georgia in warm-up Tests
9 May From the section Scottish Rugby Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44057717 Read more about sharing. Scotland will play home and away warm-up Tests against both France and Georgia next summer as they prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.The four-match schedule will start with the Scots travelling to face France on 17 August, then Georgia on 24 August.They will then return home to play France on 31 August and Georgia on 6/7 September, both at BT Murrayfield.Scotland have faced Georgia on two previous occasions - at the 2011 World Cup, and during the autumn of 2016.They will be the first Tier-One nation to face the Georgians on home soil, with the match taking place at the Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi.Scots call up six uncapped players for tourScots face competition to cap young talentMcFarland … [Read more...] about 2019 Rugby World Cup: Scotland to face France & Georgia in warm-up Tests