World Rugby has formally ratified a recommendation to postpone this year’s women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand to 2022 due to uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport’s global governing body said on Tuesday.
Key points:
• The tournament, which was due to be played in Auckland and Whangarei between September 18 and October 16, will have new 2022 dates announced shortly.
• World Rugby says the postponement will ensure a better tournament with benefits from a global vaccination drive and less travel restrictions.
• World Rugby also announced a $3.6 million funding package to assist unions hit by the postponement, with a focus on providing teams with international competition so they are at their best in 2022.
• “Our hearts go out to all the players, team personnel and fans who were preparing and looking forward to the World Cup this year. We recognize that they will be extremely disappointed, but I would like to assure them that the decision to postpone has been made entirely in the interests of their welfare, wellbeing and preparation and the desire to put on a showcase tournament that will super-charge women’s rugby globally, ” World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said.
