Rugby World Cup 2022

Red Roses average 18.6 points in the final quarter, are fitter, stronger and have greater depth. How can anyone stop them?

Both feature on day two of the competition on Sunday when the action moves to Whangarei: Wales take on Scotland and Italy play the USA, while contenders Canada play Japan. Deploying a dual tactic of softening their line speed and allowing England to play behind the gainline, Ireland relied on a strong drift defence to try to deny any attacking momentum, which did force some early mistakes. Though these sound like tiny margins, England’s ability to quickly get the ball into the hands of their powerful ball carriers eventually forces a defensive line to lose its shape. The first is a fearsome lineout that destroys teams if it is allowed to get up and running. Aside from restricting the opportunities they get to throw in close to the line through immaculate discipline, there are scant ways to defend this. France, New Zealand and Canada are the other contenders but England have honed a ruthless and almost unstoppable gameplan, generating astonishing try-scoring statistics from certain areas and at key times of matches.

Every match from the tournament will be streaming ad-free, live and on-demand on Stan Sport. Australia A will be looking for consecutive wins against a quality ...

Arsenal will play host to group leaders Bodo/Glimt in Europa League action at the Emirates Stadium. Japan scored a historic win against Australia on the Gold Coast this year and are out to claim more scalps. Australia will take confidence from their last game against New Zealand, a competitive 22-14 loss.

Plus, ahead of Saturday's big kick-off Telegraph Sport gives you the lowdown on all the teams doing battle in New Zealand.

World Cup debutants Fiji will be a force to be reckoned with in New Zealand. A team that has always been the bridesmaids to England, and never the bride. They beat minnows Colombia in Dubai earlier this year to seal the last spot at the tournament and will take an experienced side to New Zealand, led by captain Rachel Malcolm. They have enjoyed something of a resurgence with wins this year against Australia and Fiji, before claiming a confidence-boosting 29-10 victory over Ireland in August. They have always punched above their weight at World Cups – having never finished lower than sixth – but can they bridge the historic gulf that has existed between them and New Zealand? The winner of Wales v Scotland should have a decent chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, however – but losing bonus points against the southern-hemisphere sides will be key. Wales head into the World Cup with support for its women’s programme at an all time high. They just do not have the depth and their pool is tricky – both New Zealand and Australia await. It will be the biggest World Cup yet with a world record crowd expected at Eden Park for the final. Ranked ninth and 10th heading into the tournament, they are scrapping for a quarter-final berth. They are in such ridiculous form and have a killer instinct that no other team will match. They have never really followed up on their memorable 2014 World Cup, when they were beaten by England in the final.

The Red Roses face Fiji in Auckland at 4.45am in their first pool game of the campaign on the back of a 25-Test winning streak — a record for the sport. Captain ...

They have won the tournament five times since 1998 but were stung by those defeats to England last year and have called up some serious cavalry. South Africa are ranked 11th in the world, Fiji 21st and France — England’s only serious rivals in Europe — fifth. England have won the last four Six Nations, with Grand Slams in two of the last three, scored 99 points in hammering the Black Ferns twice last autumn and breezed through warm-up games against Wales and Ireland.

There are six matches on each weekend during the pool stages before the tournament moves into the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Who will be lifting the ...

For a full list of broadcast partners and countries where live streams are available, see Women’s Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch from Fiji NZ v Australia and NZ v Wales will both be aired an hour after kick-off while NZ v Scotland will be shown two-and-a-half hours after kick-off. It’s $41 per month but the first seven days are free and you can cancel at any time. All games will be streamed live on Peacock Premium, which is available for $4.99 a month. Women’s Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch from Canada So below we explain how to find a reliable World Cup live stream – you might just need to set your alarms for the early hours depending on the time difference! Women’s Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch from the USA Women’s Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch from France Women’s Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch from the UK You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get three months free. Who will be lifting the trophy at Eden Park in six weeks’ time?

England enter this tournament as hot favourites but they will face a challenge from hosts New Zealand, Six Nations rivals France and dark horses Canada.

They are as strong mentally as they are physically, which they will have to be as they battle both the weight of expectations and the best that women’s rugby can throw at them. That being said, victories against Scotland and Australia are real possibilities and they have a chance of qualifying from their pool for the first time since 1994. England: The overwhelming favourites, the Red Roses are approaching two years at the summit of the world rankings and have not lost for three years. That isn’t to say the team don’t know how to win. And they are in the easiest pool. Fiji secured the Oceania Championship earlier this year, while six players claimed bronze in rugby sevens at Tokyo 2020. Wales: A side full of positivity after introducing their first full-time contracts last year, but heavy defeats to Canada and England are a better representation of where they are at. And with Wayne Smith at the helm, they have a head coach who knows how to do it. The pain of the 2017 final, when England let slip a half-time lead against an inspired New Zealand, is still there. South Africa: A riot of colour and noise, South Africa are the fun team to back in this World Cup, and while they may put a smile on the face of spectators, opponents may be given cause to frown. “We try and take all that external noise out. Prediction: Bottom of Pool A

Emily Scarratt, skipper Sarah Hunter and head coach Simon Middleton lead a Red Roses side who are massive favourites for the World Cup. Below is why that's the ...

4.30am/7.30am (GMT)/1.30am/3.30am (GMT) At the scrum, they have destroyed sides in recent years, both with possession and against the head. Their real point of difference in world rugby lies at the set-piece, though, with their lineout, maul and scrummaging ability outstanding. A magnificent habit to adopt in professional sport. Former England captain Maggie Alphonsi told Sky Sports earlier this week: "They are very much expected to win. Particularly of recent times. 6.30am (GMT) We've got the best strength in depth we've ever had. Saturday/Sunday, October 29/30 5.45am (GMT) 8am (GMT) 4.45am (GMT)

Why England is favorites to win Women's Rugby World Cup 2022: On Saturday, New Zealand will host the beginning of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The sport as a whole is benefiting from increased investment and popularity. In the Pacific Fours competition, New Zealand finished ahead of Canada (3.08 seconds) and France (3.41 seconds) by a little margin. In the first half, England made two touchdowns. The Irish defense was outstanding in the opening half of this year’s matchup. The challenge for their team of former All-Black coaches, including Wayne Smith and Sir Graham Henry, is to figure out a way to beat England. The speed with which England can re-use the ball is their second greatest strength.

The Black Ferns will play their first match of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in front of a sellout crowd at Eden Park.

"New Zealand is now officially on the record for smashing gender stereotypes and creating historical change. "Women in sport and women's rugby has a real buzz and momentum behind it right now. "Creating history for women's sport and setting new records for women's rugby, will undoubtedly elevate the women's game to new heights for generations to come.

Tickets to the opening match day of Rugby World Cup 2021 have sold out with a record-breaking crowd set to fill New Zealand's national stadium at Eden Park ...

Rugby World Cup 2021 is taking place in New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November, the first time the pinnacle event has been staged in the southern hemisphere. Free travel on Auckland Transport buses, trains and special event buses is included for ticket holders to and from Eden Park on RWC 2021 match days. “Women in sport and women’s rugby has a real buzz and momentum behind it right now. We’d like to express our gratitude to fans and to the global rugby whānau for sharing our belief. “This has been our shared vision from the outset and to see it come to light speaks volumes about the wave of change globally, celebrating wāhine toa and shining the spotlight on them. Records show the largest attendance to date in New Zealand was 16,162 for the 2008 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final between North Korea v USA at North Harbour Stadium.

The teams have met three times in 2022, with matches already in Tauranga, Christchurch and Adelaide. The Black Ferns beat Australia 52-5 in Christchurch but ...

In August, Smith was annoyed with the Black Ferns' finish in Christchurch despite the huge margin of victory. Kendra Reynolds scored a try in the 22-14 win in Adelaide. When Wayne Smith was involved in coaching the All Blacks there was a major emphasis on the strength of the bench. Sylvia Brunt was selected by the Black Ferns on the recommendation of Ponsonby teammates. The winger scored twice against Australia in Tauranga and Christchurch. The Black Ferns have won 32 of 34 home Tests, including all eight at Eden Park. The Wallaroos aren’t absent of attacking threats. Australian Captain Shannon Parry is a world class openside and will look to outhustle opposite Sarah Hirini who’s only played three first class matches in 2022. Black Ferns Director of Rugby Wayne Smith remarked on August 25: Sharni Williams is an Olympic, Commonwealth and World Sevens champion at second-five. In the backs the Black Ferns are awash with pace and flair though it might take time for new midfield pairing Amy du Plessis and Stacey Fluhler to settle. France begins proceedings at 2.15pm when they clash with South Africa.

Wayne Smith will be a central figure in that quest. While more recognised for his widespread influence on men's rugby, Smith's affiliation with the women's game ...

That doesn't mean a lot out on the field," Smith said. "The landscape is slightly different, but the expectation remains. "The game has changed. We've got the support from the home crowd, we're so pumped, we want to put a good performance out there this week and every weekend to come." In recent weeks Six60 and Taika Waititi are among those to visit their camp. "That doesn't guarantee anything but we're giving it everything we've got so hopefully we go well." They slept on the floors in pubs in Wales," Smith, now Black Ferns director of rugby, said as he reflected on the incomparable stage his team seeks to embrace. If you want an explosion of the game that's one of the ways it can happen." "What I love is holy heck, I was sitting in the room last night thinking we've come a long way and we're ready. "We stayed at Burnham military camp and played a test against England there. On a broader scale, progress goes well beyond New Zealand, to Fijiana. Player welfare was not on the radar as they played four games in nine days, with 48 hours between the semifinals and final.

On Friday, the eve of New Zealand's first home Women's Rugby World Cup, the last thousand tickets were evaporating. Bars around Eden Park began checking ...

“But I’m still backing them to surprise and retain the cup.” “We always have the best talent in the world. A gulf in experience and financial investment has opened up: the Roses have been professional for a year longer, and have 1,200 Test caps to New Zealand’s 380. This is the Black Ferns’ first year on professional contracts, and Soper believes this will likely to be the last World Cup for which amateur teams have a shot at qualifying. “The game has changed,” Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith says. “For it to be close to 40,000 is crazy,” she said in a Friday radio interview.

Explainer - The Black Ferns go into the women's Rugby World Cup being held in Aotearoa for the first time as defending champions. RNZ has the lowdown on ...

They have made the semis seven times but have never made the final and will also need to break a 10-match losing streak to England. England captain Sarah Hunter said: "It's special to be here. Yes, UK chart-topper Rita Ora has been signed up as the star attraction on opening day. RNZ has the lowdown on who's here and how to watch this showpiece event. Spark Sport has the major rights to all the matches which will be screened live and on demand but some of the games will also be screened free on Three, including the pool matches for the Black Ferns, quarter and semi-finals, and the final. New Zealand co-captain Ruahei Demant said: "Thinking back to 2011 when we hosted the men's World Cup and how much that inspired the nation, we hope that this World Cup can do the same for many New Zealanders and that our country can get out and support the teams." Having three pools of four means quarter-finals will be needed. "I know the wonderful communities in Auckland and Whangārei will get behind the games and make this a World Cup to remember," she said. Two quarterfinals will be played at Northland Events Centre (on 29 October) and the other two will be staged at Waitakere Stadium (30 October), with the semi-finals on 5 November before the eyes of the rugby world will be trained on Eden Park for the final to be played on 12 November. Shapeshifter will perform on semi-finals day and Benee will be doing the honours for the final. Ticket prices start at $5 for children and $10 for adults and can be bought on the Rugby World Cup The three pool winners and runners-up and the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Co-captain Ruahei Demant wants to leave a mark for the "next generation of future Black Ferns, and future All Blacks".

The much-fancied England have opened their campaign with a 84-19 victory at Eden Park. Join Lee Calvert.

Fiji receive the kick off and straight away there’s a big run from Karalaini Naisewa to get in behind the England tacklers. They send it right through hands, but the England defence is up to the task and force Nakoci into touch They come back into the middle of the field as the winger is stopped and England can do not but infringe at the breakdown as they are stretched. For all the Fijian endeavour, England look imperious in the scrum and in their game management in possession. Aldcroft is nearly over the line and is stopped short, but Fiji are offside. As the England defence closes in she fires and pass right to the flying Nakoci and no-once can get near the winger from 30 metres out and the Fijiana are over! On halfway, Fiji are again on the ball, but England’s defensive ploy of putting very few into the breakdown and fanning across the field is containing the Fijiana. Another set of solid carries from the impressive Fiji front five gain ground on the right before the ball is sent left to an overlap and disorganised England defence. Another maul on the left sucks in and squashes Fiji defenders and the collective spirit before the ball is fired right through hands for Thomson to score again. Hannah Botterman, on in the front row for England, clamps on and rips the ball from Fiji hands in their 22. Abby Dow is nearly in again after another Fiji fumble in their own 22 allows the Red Roses to work it quickly to the right touchline. Donu, who has been Fiji’s player of the day, is still giving it plenty and her latest run has put her side in the England half for the first time in about three months.

We take a look at how Fiji's women's national 15s team has taken the game by storm on the eve of their biggest-ever game in New Zealand this Saturday.

You do wonder how much further down the line they’d have been if they’d not effectively lost two years’ worth of development as a team due to COVID-19. While on paper that result looks nothing special, to only lose by 17 points to a team ranked 18 places higher puts into perspective how far they have come. A successful national team is also a big driver for participation and, in Fijiana, those back on the islands now have role models to aspire to. Do well in New Zealand and that will certainly be the case. Remember this is a team that went 10 years without playing, between its second test in 2006 to its third in 2016. Opportunities to play at any level were scarce.

Minute-by-minute report: Can the Wallaroos spring an upset against the Black Ferns at Eden Park? Join Daniel Gallan for updates.

3 min: McKenzie kicks off and Australia win a scrum after a New Zealand error. 10 mins: Australia hammering at the door but New Zealand refusing to let them in. But Australia come again from the drop kick restart. The extras are missed from a tough kick on the touchline but what a start for the women in green and gold. From nothing Australia have another one! Oh, and Australia have the feed as well. New Zealand have made six times as many tackles as the Wallaroos and were once again in their own 22. Australia are dominating possession and territory but New Zealand are bossing the breakdown. 42 mins: We’re back and New Zealand have shown they mean business by winning a penalty on the floor. It started waaaay back in New Zealand’s 22 after a box kick from Australia from the back of phase play that went nowhere. That is a clear deliberate knock on from Wong after New Zealand were building with some great off-loads and runs against the grain. She’s hauled in, though, by a scrambling Friedrichs (I think it was Friedrichs) but comes up with a smile.

Join us for our live coverage as the Black Ferns take on Australia in the first day of the Women's Rugby World Cup at Eden Park.

This will be the third time the Black Ferns play Australia at a Rugby World Cup. The stage is set for a record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup. She'll be back on the big stage to perform again at halftime. We're off to a scrum as Australia's Iliseva Batibasaga feeds the ball through. Australia reset and they earn another penalty advantage as the Black Ferns are called up for being offside. Just not going the way of the Black Ferns at the moment. Despite the Black Ferns doing everything to stop her she powers over the line. They try to advance through the maul but Australia earn a penalty. Holmes makes a break for the Black Ferns. They decide to go for the kick but McKenzie misses it. Parry also goes to the bin with a yellow card. Wong gets a yellow card for Australia due to a deliberate knock on in defence.

All the action as New Zealand and Australia clash on the opening day of the World Cup.

There were things to like in the performance for the Black Ferns. A backline who have never played together in the configuration they were sent out in looked exactly that, as players looked at times like they weren't on the same page. It wasn't long before they were in again out wide through Portia Woodman, and trailing by just five points at the break. Coming into 2022, they had never led the Black Ferns at halftime in a test. Now, in four tests this year, they have led two at the break. For the Black Ferns, head coach Wayne Smith appears to have plenty of work ahead of him.

Horror moment kills Australia in loss to New Zealand in Rugby World Cup opener at Eden Park.

[France and England comfortably beat South Africa and Fiji respectively](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/womens-world-cup-2022-france-open-tournament-with-big-win-over-south-africa/f5b84146-fb07-40a6-ba46-a82800b0bc62) [The women leading double lives in search of glory](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/world-cup-2022-wallaroos-inspired-to-win-the-rugby-world-cup-for-australia/5f0a3126-36dd-4253-8ca3-b5a07e900738) [Experts make bold Rugby World Cup predictions](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/womens-world-cup-2022-preview-stan-sport-experts-give-tournament-predictions/a1e939c2-0ef3-4792-b6c8-d1d0e489f43e) [Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning's pressure prediction came true.](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/womens-world-cup-2022-aussies-pile-pressure-on-kiwis-as-sera-naiqama-gets-first-test-start/7dcf3711-954d-48d3-bb0b-3fccc14926ce) [Big guns flex muscles in front of world record crowd](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/womens-world-cup-2022-france-open-tournament-with-big-win-over-south-africa/f5b84146-fb07-40a6-ba46-a82800b0bc62) [Rugby World Cup](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/rugby-world-cup) opener in front of a record crowd.

Hosts New Zealand had to battle back from 17-0 down to record an opening 41-17 win against Australia at Eden Park.

Then, Portia Woodman displayed her power and pace to dot down in the left corner. Within 120 seconds, the Wallaroos’ lead was 12-0 as Wong scored a breakaway try. The Black Ferns were still five points adrift at the break, but that deficit was erased within two minutes of the restart as Woodman crossed for a second time.

Hosts and reigning champions New Zealand beat Australia 41-17 in their opening match in front of a record crowd at Eden Park.

The match turned decisively in the 53rd minute, when Wong and Australia captain Shannon Parry were shown yellow cards within a few seconds of each other. I’m proud of how we closed off that first half and the way that we finished that game.” “It was definitely a game of two halves,” said New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant.

There was a time, not so long ago, when the Black Ferns headlining Eden Park could only be deemed the impossible dream. Not so anymore. Shattering that glass ...

Two yellow cards for the Wallaroos in the same movement undoubtedly helped the Black Ferns kick well clear but they were good enough to take their chances. The Black Ferns regrouped and responded, though. It was for those women who were overlooked, marginalised and broke stereotypes, as much as it was a chance for these Black Ferns to soak in an occasion never witnessed before. It has the power to inspire and transform future generations. The free-flowing magic would come later — Stacey Fluhler setting up Portia Woodman's hat-trick with a flick ball over her head one highlight. Not so anymore.