The Girls’s Rugby World Cup is right here and it’s the largest version but. A report 16 groups will battle it out with the hope of lifting the 24-carat gold plated trophy after the ultimate on Sept. 27.
There are many inquiries to be answered. Will England avenge their 2022 ultimate defeat to New Zealand? Will a unique workforce upset the pack and take the title? And which gamers will steal the present on the game’s grandest stage?
ESPN’s Tom Hamilton, Brittany Mitchell and James Regan weigh in.
Who’re the favourites?
Hamilton: Properly, it needs to be England. They’re on a 27-match unbeaten run and it is on dwelling soil. They’re the dominant power in world rugby and it is their match to lose. They’ve suffered one defeat in 58 matches — and that was within the World Cup ultimate final time round. Briefly, something lower than a match triumph will probably be seen as a failure.
Mitchell: There is no query England enter the match as large favourites. Basically, it’s their match to lose. Only one loss in 58 matches, a 27-game successful run, and internet hosting the entire match, solely lifting the trophy for the primary time since 2014 will probably be thought of successful. If we’re to select any aspect that has the perfect likelihood of difficult them, it might be present world champions the Black Ferns who coincidentally are the final aspect to defeat the Purple Roses.
Regan: England… however do not rely out New Zealand.
Whereas the Black Ferns’ latest outcomes have been combined, they’ve the expertise and expertise to go once more this 12 months. Coach Allan Bunting has been in cost since 2023 and can have been constructing to this second since he took over. As former Black Ferns Sevens coach, he is aware of quite a lot of the gamers and what it takes to get them up for an enormous match. New Zealand have been in disarray previous to the final marketing campaign and received the entire thing… and so they’re in a a lot better spot this time round.
Who’re darkish horses?
Hamilton: Despite the fact that they’re ranked No.2 on the planet, anybody aside from England is a “darkish horse” so Canada will fancy their probabilities of making the ultimate after which nerves can do humorous issues. They’re on the ‘kinder’ aspect of the draw and will keep away from England and New Zealand till the finale. They lately fought out a draw with New Zealand and eased previous Australia — on their day, they will beat anyone. In case you’re searching for a barely longer shot, then Eire will trigger all types of great disruption on this match. They’re creating properly.
Mitchell: Contemplating the gulf between England and the remainder, any aspect may very well be thought of a “darkish horse” but when deciding on only one, Canada comes by way of as the final word likelihood of upsetting each the match favourites and present world champions New Zealand alongside the best way. Struggling only one in 13 video games since 2024, together with a shocking win over the Black Ferns within the PAC4 and massive win over France in WXV1, Canada have been buzzing properly within the lead as much as the match and have the mettle to push their technique to the ultimate for the primary time since 2014.
Regan: Keep watch over Eire, who’ve been constructing properly over the past 18 months. Whereas they’ve not been in a position to bother England, they’ve given France and Canada good video games and beat New Zealand final September. They’re in the identical pool because the Kiwis, with the winner of that prone to high Pool C, so anticipate fireworks on Sept. 7 in Brighton.
Who’s the participant to observe?
Hamilton: There are such a lot of thrilling gamers coming your approach within the subsequent couple of weeks, however regulate England’s Sadia Kabeya. The 23-year-old is a big-hitting back-rower and will create some havoc throughout the match. There would be the normal family names like Ilona Maher, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Ellie Kildunne roaring round England, however Kabeya will pack a punch.
Mitchell: For maybe the primary time ever this will probably be a match crammed with the family names that Tom mentions, however there’s a lot extra potential superstars able to rise, with Black Ferns younger gun Braxton Sorensen-McGee one to regulate. At simply 18-years-old the fullback/wing lit up New Zealand’s Tremendous Rugby Aupiki earlier than scoring three tries for the Black Ferns since her debut in Might. She could also be small in stature, however she’ll convey some large recreation moments.
Regan: I am going to second the shout for Sorensen-McGee, who has quite a lot of hype round her coming into the match. Eire’s Aoife Wafer is one other to look out for. Whereas the dynamic back-rower comes into the match below a little bit of an harm cloud — having had knee surgical procedure in July — she will probably be essential to Eire’s hopes of going deep into the competitors. The 22-year-old was named Six Nations participant of the 12 months, scoring 4 tries earlier than choosing up the harm.
What makes this World Cup completely different to previous editions?
Hamilton: It will be greater than something we have seen up to now, each when it comes to stadia and the names and profiles on present. Anticipate Maher to make a huge impact on and off the sphere, however ladies’s rugby will break new floor with the ultimate at Allianz Stadium. Anticipate it to be a 86,000 sellout and a very exceptional event. That is what marks this match out from the remainder.
Mitchell: As talked about above that is maybe the primary match crammed with family names throughout the board. It is also set to be the most important match but, blowing the 2021 (performed in 2022) match out of the water. Tickets have been snapped up rapidly, stadiums promise to be packed out, with an 83,000 sturdy crowd predicted to flood the gates for the ultimate at Allianz Stadium. And it additionally guarantees to be essentially the most aggressive match as properly with nations around the globe taking vital steps in constructing depth and expertise throughout their squads.
Regan: The whole lot is coming collectively directly. Whereas the final match was successful, the very fact it was held in New Zealand and disrupted by Covid-19 held it again barely. This 12 months, every little thing has lined up. Girls’s sport is as widespread as ever with the Purple Roses searching for their very own ‘Lionesses second.’ Tickets have already flown out the door and it’s wanting like it will likely be a genuinely aggressive match, with jeopardy in quite a lot of video games. All that is wanted now could be for followers to show up and the rugby to do the speaking.
Boldest take for the match?
Hamilton: This would be the match the place R360 — the breakaway league — turns into a part of the narrative. We noticed it a contact with the British & Irish Lions tour, however this World Cup will probably be the place R360’s lifelike probabilities of success will begin to change into clearer. A number of of the star names within the World Cup have already held discussions with the R360 powerbrokers and anticipate speak of that breakaway league to be one of many large subplots over the subsequent 4 weeks. If R360 takes off, then this World Cup will probably be regarded again on because the launchpad second.
On the sphere: Wales to upset the applecart within the pool levels, Maher’s recognition to extend even additional, England to have a monumental wobble however come by way of to win, Zoe Aldcroft to be Participant of the Match and Kildunne high tryscorer.
Mitchell: Not fully outdoors the realm of risk however the Wallaroos to provide their most spectacular World Cup efficiency ever to topple Canada and attain the semifinal for the primary time since 2010. In the meantime, France will give England an actual scare within the semis, earlier than the hosts come good and take all of it the best way. And TMO interruptions and crimson card citings will play havoc with workforce lists and outcomes.
Regan: Not less than one among England, New Zealand, Canada or France to be shocked.
These 4 are the protected bets, however it might be nice to see some type of large killing on this competitors and it is not unthinkable. And actually, the sport might do with it. We want pressure, stress, jeopardy and drama in as many video games as attainable. All it takes is for a type of sides to have an off day within the knockouts and their opposition can pounce.
