PARIS // New Zealand will begin their bid for a fifth consecutive women’s rugby union World Cup title on Friday and insist they will not be dwelling on past achievements as the 12-team tournament kicks off in France.
“We’re all here for the same reason, to win the World Cup. There’s definitely pressure there, but it’s how we deal with it,” New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili said.
“We’ve told the girls not to think about what’s happened in the past. It’s about what happens now. We are taking each match as it comes and just enjoying it.”
Players will be hoping to impress, with an eye on the 2016 Olympics at Rio de Janeiro, where men and women will contest rugby sevens for the first time.
New Zealand’s side boast several crossover sevens players, notably Huriana Manuel, a veteran of the 2006 and 2010 title defences, who led New Zealand to back-to-back IRB Women’s Sevens World Series titles as well as a first Rugby World Cup Sevens title at Moscow last year.
Other versatile players include fly-half Kelly Brazier, backrower Linda Itunu and utility back Selica Winiata.
Portia Woodman, the try-scoring machine, is missing after sustaining an ankle injury.
New Zealand won a 13-10 final in 2010 against arch-rivals England, who are likely to be in the reckoning this time to win the competition at the Stade Jean Bouin on August 17.
“You can’t help but look back to something like the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010, which was massive for the women’s game, but obviously the result wasn’t ideal for us,” said England captain Katy McLean.
“That was really tough, but four years later you have to move on, you learn lessons, you play more rugby and get better.”
New Zealand have been drawn in Pool B alongside the US, Ireland and Kazakhstan, while England are in Pool A with Canada, Spain and Samoa.
Pool C comprises Australia, France, Wales and South Africa.
Brett Gosper, chief executive officer of rugby’s world governing body, the IRB, predicted the tournament, with the pool matches to be played at the French rugby federation’s headquarters in Marcoussis, would be a great boost.
“We know that women’s rugby is gaining popularity,” he said. “It’s grown two or three times since the last World Cup, four years ago.
“There is a raised interest and the visibility is huge.
“It also means that it finds its way into school curricula around the world, which is very important because when you find it in physical-education classes, it gives it an acceptability and it means that it’s being sampled by students who wouldn’t usually sample it.
“We’re really looking forward to this event.”
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