Thoughts On 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup In The United States of America

[ralmcg]

With the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland coming up I am thinking about the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup. Since I live in the United States of America I would like it to be held in my country. I know my country isn't into Rugby Union like New Zealand but there are many people living in the United States (over 300 million) and it might get some people interested in Rugby, especially girls who can see female players in person and want to play, just like them. What are your thoughts on a USA-hosted Women's Rugby World Cup in 2021?

 

[Shaggy]

I could see this possibly happening, particularly as Canada are among the top nations in women's rugby. There was a quadrangular style tournament hosted in Alberta, in 2015, featuring Canada, England, New Zealand, and the United States.

Womens rugby seems to be a bit quicker to embrace non traditional venues to host their major tournaments than the men's , and I would definitely see the states as a viable venue for the WRWC

 

[ralmcg]

I could see this possibly happening, particularly as Canada are among the top nations in women's rugby. There was a quadrangular style tournament hosted in Alberta, in 2015, featuring Canada, England, New Zealand, and the United States.

Womens rugby seems to be a bit quicker to embrace non traditional venues to host their major tournaments than the men's , and I would definitely see the states as a viable venue for the WRWC

Thanks for the encouraging remark. The USA is taking a bit of a test ride when it comes to hosting Rugby World Cup events with the 2018 Rubgy World Cup Sevens in the San Francisco Bay area.

As far as a possible 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in the USA, I would like to see sixteen teams compete in four pools, just like the FIFA Women's World Cup until 2015. Since the USA is quite large it would be a good idea for each pool to play their group games in one of the four time zones of the continental USA (sorry Alaska and Hawaii). That would mean that, unlike previous Women's Rugby World Cups, there will be more than two cities where competition is to occur.

That's my thoughts for now.

 

[ralmcg]

Adding to my previous post a possible USA-hosted Women's Rugby World Cup could have the quarterfinals played in a way that teams from two adjoining time zones are competing (i.e. those in Pacific and Mountain time zones play in two of the quarterfinals while those in the Central and Eastern time zones play in two of the others.). One of the semifinals can be held in the Eastern time zone with the other played in the Pacific time zone. The third-place game will be played in the Mountain time zone while the final is held in the Central time zone, or vice versa. Or, instead of time zones, it could work with from Pacific Coast to the Rocky Mountains, from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River, from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains, and from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coast.

That's how I would do the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup if held in the USA.

 

[ralmcg]

I shared my thoughts on where the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup should be held. From other members I would like to know, if not the USA, where should it be held.

 

[Brigantine]

Black Ferns vs Walleroos the other week was the first womens' game I've ever been to... women's rugby does seem to be getting a lot more media coverage etc. lately, but still you get Australia touring NZ playing just 4 days after the men's teams in the same city, and only get about 300 people show up. Basically just friends and family of the teams and organizers. (and that's with free entry). At least they had a TV crew there!

There *is* still 5 years to develop more of a following, but even considering that, I don't think there's any point spreading the WRWC out over a large geographic distance. Instead you'd want to schedule it so that people can physically go to every single game if they want to, so 2 cities you can drive between in an hour or two is probably the upper limit. You don't need to get tricky with time zones, games don't need to all be at the same local time, just schedule them at the time you want.

So I'm thinking a geographically small country, that hasn't had the competition before and has at least a half-decent team above say 60 rankings points. Options are:

• Italy
• Samoa
• Portugal
• Japan

Given how every WRWC so far has been in the Northern Hemisphere, I'd pick Samoa. Though you could have e.g. the 2nd week of pool matches in American Samoa if the US was willing to make it worth the trouble.

The downside is you'd end up having games at like 9am.

 

[ralmcg]

Brigantine, you have an interesting post. I still would like the United States of America to have it, though.

At first thought I wanted the finals to be in Chester, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, because it's a place that is close to where I live. After more thinking, I decided that Denver, Colorado, would be better. It's the largest city near USA Rugby's headquarters and, more important, it's the biggest city near Glendale, CO, which is known as "Rugby Town, USA", with it's municipal-owned rugby field known as "Infinity Park". If the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup was to be restricted to one large city, Infinity Park would be great for group games at least. By the way, Glendale is surrounded by Denver.

 

[Brigantine]

Yeah, but OTOH, I think USA should have the Mens RWC 2023, so a bit greedy to get both!

 

[ralmcg]

Yeah, but OTOH, I think USA should have the Mens RWC 2023, so a bit greedy to get both!

I prefer the Women's RWC since I have a soft spot for women's rugby XV. But I would say that Samoa has potential, with Prince Edwards Park in Savai'i Island hosting group games and Apia Park for the knockout rounds including the finals.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

USA isn't in the running for the 2023 RWC I think (Ireland, France and SA).

I think it would be a good fit TBH.

2018 - Sevens
2021 - Womens
2027 - Mens

Would be a good timeline.

 

[ralmcg]

USA isn't in the running for the 2023 RWC I think (Ireland, France and SA).

I think it would be a good fit TBH.

2018 - Sevens
2021 - Womens
2027 - Mens

Would be a good timeline.

I agree that it would be a good timeline. I read, though, that Argentina would like to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup. They are a rising Rugby Union power and I believe that they deserve to at least get a shot at hosting a World Cup.

 

[ormond lad]

Thanks for the encouraging remark. The USA is taking a bit of a test ride when it comes to hosting Rugby World Cup events with the 2018 Rubgy World Cup Sevens in the San Francisco Bay area.

As far as a possible 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in the USA, I would like to see sixteen teams compete in four pools, just like the FIFA Women's World Cup until 2015. Since the USA is quite large it would be a good idea for each pool to play their group games in one of the four time zones of the continental USA (sorry Alaska and Hawaii). That would mean that, unlike previous Women's Rugby World Cups, there will be more than two cities where competition is to occur.

That's my thoughts for now.

Playing games across multiple time zones would do nothing to promote the game as the crowds wouldn't be there for it to be worthwhile. 2 cities or 1 city with 2 stadiums is all that is needed with the way the competition is structured.

Adding to my previous post a possible USA-hosted Women's Rugby World Cup could have the quarterfinals played in a way that teams from two adjoining time zones are competing (i.e. those in Pacific and Mountain time zones play in two of the quarterfinals while those in the Central and Eastern time zones play in two of the others.). One of the semifinals can be held in the Eastern time zone with the other played in the Pacific time zone. The third-place game will be played in the Mountain time zone while the final is held in the Central time zone, or vice versa. Or, instead of time zones, it could work with from Pacific Coast to the Rocky Mountains, from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River, from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains, and from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coast.
That's how I would do the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup if held in the USA.

Why would you run it in this way when it just decreases the numbers attending games?

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I don't really like that timeline. They are all different sports. The people who follow women's rugby and the people who follow men's rugby are completely different crowds.

You could argue there is a link between 7s and 15s but even that's a stretch.

 

[ralmcg]

Playing games across multiple time zones would do nothing to promote the game as the crowds wouldn't be there for it to be worthwhile. 2 cities or 1 city with 2 stadiums is all that is needed with the way the competition is structured.

Why would you run it in this way when it just decreases the numbers attending games?

I would like to ask how a Women's Rugby World Cup played in many different cities would decrease the number of people watching compared to one with matches held in two cities at most? Remember the USA is a large country compared to most European countries and the distances fans needed to travel is quite long so a tournament restricted to one time zone a strain for fans in the other time zones. On the other hand, the rugby players wouldn't have far to travel, so as far as the players are concerned the two cities maximum might be good.