Women’s rugby World Cup to be postponed for a year


  • 2021-03-03 HKT 08:48″ title=”World Rugby interim chief executive Alan Gilpin said although the delay was hugely disappointing, it was the right thing to do. Image: Shutterstock”>


    World Rugby interim chief executive Alan Gilpin said although the delay was hugely disappointing, it was the right thing to do. Image: Shutterstock
    World Rugby interim chief executive Alan Gilpin said although the delay was hugely disappointing, it was the right thing to do. Image: Shutterstock

World Rugby has announced that the 2021 women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand is set to be postponed until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic, .

The governing body said a recommendation to delay the event, originally scheduled for September 18-October 16, would be ratified next week by tournament organisers and the World Rugby executive committee.

While acknowledging delaying the event until 2022 was “hugely disappointing”, World Rugby interim chief executive Alan Gilpin said it was the right thing to do.

“Certainly this decision has players at heart,” he said.

“In recent weeks, through discussions with our key partners in New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand government, it’s become clear that we do not have the level of certainty we need to collectively deliver the best environment for all teams.”

Gilpin cited recent Covid-19 cases in Auckland which have forced New Zealand’s largest city into lockdown this week, despite the South Pacific nation’s previous success in containing the virus.

He also said there were concerns “challenging” global travel restrictions meant teams would not have adequate preparation time for such an important tournament.

The New Zealand government, which has already seen plans to host the women’s Cricket World Cup this year postponed until 2022, said delaying the rugby showcase would not change its major event funding.

“We all wanted the tournament to go ahead as planned this year, but we also accept that the current COVID-19 constrained circumstances are not ideal for high performance athletes in a tournament situation,” Sport Minister Grant Robertson said.

“If they do postpone we are fully committed to hosting the event next year.” (AFP)