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NEW YORK, NY – The inaugural Women’s WXV tournament is set to kick off, promising an exciting showcase of elite international women’s rugby. With 18 teams divided into three tiers, this competition represents a milestone for the growth of the sport, providing consistent, competitive matchups for the world’s top rugby nations and developing teams. The tournament is designed to elevate the global standing of women’s rugby and ensure regular competition outside of the Rugby World Cup.
WXV Structure and Key Stats
The WXV competition is divided into three tiers:
- WXV 1: The top six teams from around the world, based on rankings and qualification from regional tournaments, will compete. Teams include New Zealand, England, France, Canada, Australia, and Wales.
- England enters as the No. 1 ranked team, having won the 2023 Six Nations Championship with an average of 35 points per game and conceding fewer than 10 points per match during the tournament.
- New Zealand’s Black Ferns are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, having claimed their sixth title in 2022. They are known for their fast-paced attack, averaging 4.5 tries per match in the past year.
- WXV 2: The second tier includes teams like Italy, Japan, Scotland, and USA, who are vying to close the gap between themselves and the top-tier nations.
- Italy has shown significant improvement, finishing third in the 2023 Six Nations, averaging 18 points per match.
- Japan, the growing force in Asian rugby, recently defeated Australia in a historic upset, recording a 60% possession rate in the game.
- WXV 3: This tier features developing rugby nations, including Kenya, Fiji, and Samoa, looking to make a name on the global stage.
- Fiji finished strongly in the 2023 Oceania Championship, scoring an average of 5 tries per game and maintaining a 70% lineout success rate.
Top Teams and Key Players to Watch
- New Zealand’s Black Ferns:
- Key Stat: New Zealand has won 92% of their matches since 2018 and holds the world record for most consecutive wins in women’s international rugby (17 wins).
- Players to Watch: Expect Portia Woodman, who is the all-time leading try scorer in women’s rugby with over 40 tries, and Ruby Tui, who continues to dazzle with her speed and versatility.
- England’s Red Roses:
- Key Stat: England is the most dominant team in the world, boasting a win rate of 89% over the past 10 years.
- Players to Watch: Marlie Packer leads the pack with her high work rate, having scored 7 tries during the 2023 Six Nations, while Zoe Aldcroft, the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2021, controls the lineout with 95% lineout success.
- France:
- Key Stat: France consistently ranks in the top three teams in the world, and they averaged 22 points per game in the 2023 Six Nations.
- Players to Watch: Pauline Bourdon, known for her tactical kicking and leadership, and Gaëlle Hermet, a dominant force in the back row, will look to lead France to victory.
- Canada:
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- Key Stat: Canada remains a strong contender, having made it to the semifinals of the 2022 Rugby World Cup and averaging 3 tries per game in the last year.
- Player to Watch: Sophie de Goede, a talented number 8, recorded the most carries per match in the World Cup, averaging 15 carries per game.
Top Player stats:
1. Portia Woodman (New Zealand) – Winger- Career Tries: 40+ (all-time leading try scorer in women’s rugby)
- Try Average: 1.6 tries per match in her international career.
- Key Stat: Scored 7 tries in the 2022 Rugby World Cup, leading New Zealand to the title.
- Impact: Woodman’s speed and finishing ability make her the most dangerous player in the world. She consistently breaks through defenses, converting opportunities into points.
2. Sophie de Goede (Canada) – Number 8
- Carries per Game: Averaging 15 carries per match in the 2022 Rugby World Cup, the most in the tournament.
- Tackles: Over 10 tackles per game in international play, making her a defensive stalwart.
- Meters Gained: Ranked in the top 5 for meters gained by forwards in the World Cup.
- Key Role: De Goede is the engine for Canada’s forward pack, leading from the front with ball-carrying ability and strength in defense.
3. Marlie Packer (England) – Flanker
- Tries in 2023 Six Nations: 7 tries, making her the top scorer for the tournament.
- Tackle Success Rate: 91%, making her one of the most effective tacklers in the game.
- Turnovers Won: Averaging 3 turnovers per game, Packer is a key disruptor at the breakdown.
- Key Stat: Led England’s pack in meters gained in the 2023 Six Nations.
- Impact: Packer’s combination of try-scoring prowess and defensive work rate makes her a complete player for the Red Roses.
4. Pauline Bourdon (France) – Scrum-Half
- Try Assists: Averaging 2 try assists per game in international matches.
- Kicking Accuracy: 85% in tactical kicks during the 2023 Six Nations.
- Try Scoring: Scored 3 tries in the Six Nations while being one of the most dangerous attacking scrum-halves in the game.
- Impact: Known for her tactical awareness and kicking game, Bourdon controls the tempo for France and opens up attacking opportunities with precision passing.
5. Ruby Tui (New Zealand) – Winger
- Tries in 2022 Rugby World Cup: Scored 5 tries during the tournament, contributing to New Zealand’s triumph.
- Offloads: Averaging 3 offloads per game, Tui creates second-phase opportunities for her teammates.
- Line Breaks: Consistently in the top 3 for line breaks in every competition.
- Impact: Tui’s versatility and creativity make her a key figure in New Zealand’s dynamic backline.
6. Zoe Aldcroft (England) – Lock
- Lineout Success Rate: 95%, leading England’s dominance in set pieces.
- Meters Carried: Averaged 40 meters per game during the 2023 Six Nations.
- Tackles: One of the top tacklers in the Six Nations, averaging 12 tackles per game.
- Key Role: As one of the tallest players in the tournament, Aldcroft excels in lineouts and physical confrontations.
7. Gaëlle Hermet (France) – Flanker
- Tackles per Game: Averaging 13 tackles during the Six Nations.
- Turnovers: Won 2 turnovers per match on average.
- Ball Carries: Known for breaking tackles, Hermet carried the ball for 200 meters in the Six Nations.
- Key Stat: Contributed heavily to France’s defensive success, particularly against top-tier teams like England.
8. Alev Kelter (USA) – Center
- Conversions: 85% kicking success rate in the Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
- Tackles: Averaging 9 tackles per game, making her a defensive leader in the backline.
- Meters Gained: Top-ranked in the USA squad for meters gained in 2022.
- Impact: Kelter’s leadership, tactical kicking, and defensive work will be key to the USA’s campaign in WXV 2.
These player stats show just how impactful these top players are, both offensively and defensively, and why they’ll be critical to their teams’ success in the Women’s WXV tournament. Keep an eye on these athletes as they aim to lead their nations to victory on the global stage!
Impact on the Growth of Women’s Rugby
The WXV tournament aims to foster the growth of women’s rugby globally:
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- Increasing Participation: Women’s rugby participation has increased by 28% globally in the past five years, driven by tournaments like WXV and investments in grassroots programs.
- Broadcast and Viewership: With World Rugby aiming for over 20 million viewers for the inaugural tournament, women’s rugby is set to grow its global audience significantly.
- Development of Emerging Teams: Tiers 2 and 3 provide opportunities for emerging nations to face stronger competition, offering a pathway for rugby development in underrepresented regions such as Asia and Africa.
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What’s at Stake
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- Promotion and Relegation: The WXV’s unique structure allows for promotion and relegation between tiers, adding high stakes to every match. Teams in WXV 2 and WXV 3 will be fighting to move up into more competitive brackets, making for intense battles throughout the tournament.
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Conclusion
The Women’s WXV tournament offers an unprecedented platform for the best women’s rugby teams in the world to showcase their talents, while also creating more opportunities for emerging teams. With elite players and intense competition across all tiers, this tournament promises to deliver thrilling rugby and elevate the global profile of the women’s game. Fans can look forward to a fast-paced, hard-hitting competition that will redefine the future of women’s rugby on the international stage.
Prepare for breathtaking tries, tactical brilliance, and unforgettable moments in this landmark event!
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