The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18th September and 16th October, is to be postponed by 12 months.
The World Rugby Executive Committee will approve the postponement next week based on the recommendation of the organising committee after discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions.
New Zealand has been much more open than Europe after pursuing a Zero Covid policy but Aukland went into a seven day lockdown this week, forcing the delayed start to the America’s Cup sailing, and the potential for disruption in a World Cup would be difficult to counter.
“Given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage,” said a World Rugby statement last night.
“The challenges include uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand, and challenging global travel restrictions.”
“World Rugby can assure teams, New Zealanders and the global rugby family that the recommendation to postpone the tournament will help to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2021 will be all it can be next year for players, fans and the rugby family – one of the great Rugby World Cups.”
The delay may well be welcomed by the Irish team who have yet to secure their qualification to play in the finals.
The continued postponement of the European Qualification tournament has been a source of real sporting frustration.
Ironically it emerged yesterday that this Qualification process has started to move with Ireland set to face Spain later this month for a spot against either Scotland or Italy in what would become the European Qualification decider. That match will be the other side of the rescheduled Guinness Six Nations tournament in April, which will be broadcast in full on RTÉ.
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