1
World Cup opener could double attendance record
By Ned Lester
Organisers' ambitions for attendance at the opening day of the women's World Cup continue to grow as ticket sales push further into new territory for a women's rugby event.
The Opening matches are now just 8 days away and with that opening slate set to showcase the tournaments top six teams as well as international pop star Rita Ora, kiwi fans have been buying tickets at an unprecedented rate.
The previous record for attendance at a women's rugby match was the 2014 World Cup final in France, which saw the 20,000 seat
capacity Stade Jean-Bouin stadium sold out.
Now, Organisers are hoping to fill Eden Park, having already sold more than 30,000 tickets to the tournaments opening triple-header.
Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director, Michelle Hooper said:
“We came out just over a year ago with a bold ambition to set a new world record for attendance at a women’s Rugby World Cup match on opening match day at Eden Park.
"We put our faith in Kiwis to get behind this kaupapa and show up for the stars of the women's game competing here on the world-stage.
“To have already surpassed that record with one week still to go is an incredible testament to our people and their support for this vision, and also the very special manaakitanga within our sporting community here in Aotearoa.
"We’re breaking new ground with this tournament and now want to see if we can secure another record first for New Zealand and for women’s rugby by filling Eden Park.
"We believe it is possible and are over-turning every rock in the process to bring this vision to life. A moment all New Zealanders can be proud of.”
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin today added:
“The wait is nearly over, the teams have arrived, and New Zealand is ready to get the party started – rugby’s great family reunion.
"With tickets selling fast and the opening match day at Eden Park set to be a very special and record-breaking experience, fans should secure their place now to avoid disappointment.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to comments