Under the Posts – Nov 16-29 is bigger this week as we’ve expanded it to cover two weeks due to the US Thanksgiving Holiday. It was a big two weeks and we’re starting with the draw for the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Then we look at Wales announcing a new XV head coach, Burkina Faso, Iran and Laos achieve World Rugby full member status while Nepal and Panama become new associate members, England steals a win over France 25-23 in overtime, USA Stripes defeated Stars 34-12 but the second match was cancelled due to positive cases & exposures, the Black Ferns barely held off the NZ Barbarians 19-17, Round 6 of Allianz Premier 15s, 14 player features and 15 media.
Featured Women’s Rugby News
The featured women’s rugby news focuses on the 2021 Rugby World Cup Draw. The biggest perhaps “shock” of the day was that the draw was held inside a building with over 400 guests! New Zealand continues to lead the way in the pandemic and that gives us hope that this tournament may actually take place!
The event had plenty of pomp and circumstance including New Zealand rugby greats and the Prime Minister participating. Pool A will see reigning champions New Zealand facing Australia, Wales and the Final Qualification Tournament.
Pool B sees Canada set to face USA for the first time in the pool stages of a Rugby World Cup alongside Europe 1 and Asia 1.
Rugby World Cup 2017 runners-up England are drawn in Pool C alongside bronze medallists France, South Africa and Fiji, who are set to make their Rugby World Cup debut.
Video Summary
Not this week sports fans…we’ll be back in person next edition. 🙂
Weekly Women’s Rugby News
Test News
- Wales has announced a new XVs head coach in Warren Abrahams
- World Rugby has admitted new members Burkina Faso, Iran and Laos while Nepal and Panama become new associate members of international federation
- France came out hard in their return match against England and led going into overtime. Emily Scarratt slotted a last minute penalty to win by three
- China’s Euan Mackintosh is hoping for a top eight finish at the Olympics
Competition News
- Scotland joins most of Europe in cancelling amateur rugby
- USA held a Stars vs Stripes XVs match, the Stripes won 34-12. The second match was cancelled due to positive cases and exposure
- In the second match between the Black Ferns and the NZ Barbarians, the Black Ferns barely held on for a 19-17
- Round 6 of Allianz Premier 15s still has Harlequins and Saracens at the top of the table with some movement in the middle
Other News
- Watch the documentary Oceans Apart: Greed, Betrayal & Pacific Rugby by Tusitala Films…that is all
- The Rugby Breakdown shares how ARPTC in Little Rock, AR is one of the only places playing rugby in the US
- Brenda Heather-Latu has become the first woman chair of Oceania Rugby’s Judicial Committee
- Scrum Queens takes a dive into the biggest ever study of injury in Sevens
- South African Rugby expands their sponsorship with Carling Brewing and it includes the Springbok Sevens and Springbok Women’s Sevens teams
Women’s Rugby Player Features
- South Africa’s Piwokuhle Nyanda talks about finding rugby and being sponsored by MasterCard
- Cardiff’s Verity Butt speaks with The Tab about gender disparities that exist within rugby
- England’s Zainab Alema speaks with The Times about playing rugby and sharing the sport she loves with ethnic minorities
- New Zealand’s Tyla Nathan-Wong becomes first Black Ferns sevens player to reach 1,000 points despite being overlooked early in career
- England’s Emily Scott talks about rugby and rheumatoid arthritis
- New Zealand’s Les Elder is featured in part 2 of the series From Here to Maternity
- Loughborough’s Rhona Lloyd talks with Newschain about her podcast ‘Women Who Sport’
- France’s Céline Allainmat is part of the World Rugby’s Coaching Internship Program
- England’s Danielle Waterman opens up about broadcasting and why she must keep proving herself to men
- South Africa’s Mathrin Simmers is part of the ‘Unstoppables’ campaign and she speaks with Springboks.com about what that means
- Zimbabwe’s Abigail Kawonza is also part of the ‘Unstoppables’ campaign and she shared story with the Herald
- Samoa’s Fuimaono Beth Onesemo looks to continue promoting gender equity as a recipient of a World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship
- South Africa’s Rights Mkhari shares her rugby journey and what being part of the ‘Unstoppables’ campaign means
- Namibia’s CJ Kotze is part of Rugby Africa’s ‘Try And Stop Us’ campaign
Women’s Rugby Media/Podcasts/Videos
- Dallas Jackals’ Elaine Vassie is the first female to hold a managerial position in the MLR
- Kenya’s Peris Mukoko shares her inspiring story to become one of the “Unstoppables”
- Canada’s Lesley McKenzie is on Rugby Hive
- Caroline Layt shares her lived rugby experience as a transgender athlete
- Ireland shares archived footage from 1973
- England’s Sarah Hunter joins Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell on a special captain’s pod
- Women’s Rugby Pod has Amy Cokayne and Helena Rowland
- England’s Rachael Burford chats with Brian Moore about how the views on social media surrounding female rugby need to change
- Squidge Rugby takes on England vs France
- Verity Smith is on Mermaids for #TransAwarenessWeek
- USA’s Kristi Kirshe talks with the NE Free Jacks
- England’s Danielle Waterman is on Try Hards podcast
- USA’s Dr. Amelia Luciano is on Greaux Rugby podcast
Join Us
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Wow. The #2021RWC is shaping up to be a nail biter. Rivals in every pool and we don’t even know all of the teams yet. https://t.co/YFg9ujh3rE
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 19, 2020
Nine teams have qualified but three places still remain at Rugby World Cup 2021.
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 19, 2020
Here's how we will find the final three teams.#RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/zignNWJitP
The 2021 Rugby World Cup draw took place and we now know the pools for the tournament. New Zealand and their leadership have smashed COVID-19 and so 400 guests were able to attend the draw at SkyCity Theatre in Auckland. Color us Americans jealous in more ways than one!
Reigning champions New Zealand are set to face Australia, Wales and the Final Qualification Tournament Winner in Pool A.
Pool B sees Canada set to face USA for the first time in the pool stages of a Rugby World Cup alongside Europe 1 and Asia 1.
Rugby World Cup 2017 runners-up England are drawn in Pool C alongside bronze medallists France, South Africa and Fiji, who are set to make their Rugby World Cup debut.
Test News
Abrahams named as Wales Women head coach - Welsh Rugby Union https://t.co/bdZKbCrRUu pic.twitter.com/n26IDBY05s
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 18, 2020
The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed former USA Women’s sevens assistant coach Warren Abrahams as full-time Wales Women head coach, and 67-times capped former Wales captain and North Wales academy coach Rachel Taylor has been appointed as full-time Women’s National Skills Coach.
World Rugby continues global expansion with new members | World Rugby https://t.co/b68dsttXgn pic.twitter.com/9f01ntX4fF
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 18, 2020
World Rugby has admitted new members Burkina Faso, Iran and Laos while Nepal and Panama become new associate members of international federation.
Iran had been an associate member since 2013, Burkina Faso is an up-and-coming West African rugby nation and Laos is well known for their ChildFund Pass It Back program.
Nepal’s addition as an associate member follows the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour in December 2018 and Panama is a small but growing union and a member of Sudamérica Rugby.
France controlled the opening stages of the game, dictating territory and forcing penalties inside England’s 22. England had to stage a late comeback with 10 minutes left on the clock, first Poppy Cleall crossing for her fourteenth test try off the back of a rolling maul. Two minutes later Ellie Kildunne powered over, and Emily Scarratt’s extras made it a one-point game.
The game then moved into overtime where Scarratt landed a penalty to secure a 25-23 win for England at Twickenham.
China aiming for women's rugby sevens quarter-final at Tokyo 2020 https://t.co/rHmSsShv3S pic.twitter.com/8LYPIogMi3
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 22, 2020
China’s women’s rugby sevens head coach Euan Mackintosh has revealed that they are aiming to finish in the top eight at next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Competitions News
The 2020/21 domestic competitive rugby season at all levels of the club and school game in Scotland will close due to the on-going national impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 18, 2020
Full story ⤵️https://t.co/v8cR84t486
Scotland has suspended all youth and club rugby until at least the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic.
NEWS | Today's Stars vs Stripes finale has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 21, 2020
MORE » https://t.co/gvNIKK6leW pic.twitter.com/ptUAG9gKGQ
USA Rugby completed their training camp with two planned intrasquad matches. The first match was thrilling with the Stripes winning 34-12 over the Stars. The second match was slated for the Saturday before Thanksgiving but was called off due to positive cases the sub-sequential exposures. A sad ending to their camp but still an invaluable 8 weeks for those players.
In the first match between the Black Ferns and the NZ Barbarians 34-15. The second matchup was much closer with the Black Ferns barely edging the Barbarians 19-17.
Even before the match it was tense as the haka included both sides advancing towards each other in a spine-tingling preamble.
Round 6 of Allianz Premier 15s was intense as most of the England Internationals returned to club play. Harlequins and Saracens are still at the top of the table with 30 points each with Loughborough and Wasps chasing.
Other News
Can’t help but seem some similarities with women’s rugby globally. Surely not the same but inequity is inequity. https://t.co/I422bPO8Fg
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 17, 2020
Oceans Apart: Greed, Betrayal & Pacific Rugby by Tusitala Films is a tough look at Pacific Rugby and their relationship with World Rugby and the other nations. We recommend everyone give it a watch to see what’s happening with the money and the power. Similar situation to what continue to happen to women’s rugby.
ARPTC is Proving to be Pandemic-Proof https://t.co/X8pgrMAuTQ pic.twitter.com/gfM4oyRS04
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 18, 2020
American Rugby Professional Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas has ran two “bubble” camps this year with incredible success. Read more at The Rugby Breakdown.
Heather-Latu makes history as first woman chair of Oceania Rugby judiciary | World Rugby https://t.co/mu3gZ5JF0D pic.twitter.com/GHqni6m9zS
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 21, 2020
Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu speaks about her love of rugby and the honour of becoming the first woman chair of Oceania Rugby’s Judicial Committee.
Biggest ever study of injury in Sevens | Scrum Queens https://t.co/VAcGeE6wSf pic.twitter.com/4VPaRoasGR
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 26, 2020
Scrum Queens takes a dive into the biggest ever study of injury in Sevens.
Carling to title sponsor South Africa’s Currie Cup rugby tournament & Springbok Women’s Sevens team https://t.co/7uUy6zCGH5 pic.twitter.com/m5iUZO2KB9
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 29, 2020
Carling, a South African Brewery has extended their long-running association with South African Rugby with a three-season deal for the Currie Cup. The deal also includes the sponsorship of the three annual Test competitions – the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the Castle Lager Incoming Series and the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour – as well as of the Springbok Sevens and Springbok Women’s Sevens teams.
‘Piwo’ on her priceless love affair with women’s rugby – powered by Mastercard | Citypress https://t.co/gY0g7b9a7L pic.twitter.com/izIH2haXSq
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 16, 2020
Women play rugby too: Cardiff Ladies Rugby President talks of gender disparities within the sport https://t.co/Yt1BkZoqDJ pic.twitter.com/r8DTrvu7hf
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 17, 2020
‘I might not have seen people like me playing but rugby told me I belonged’ https://t.co/UeVxzRPCZc pic.twitter.com/tkdD8MzTji
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 21, 2020
How New Zealand rugby’s Nathan-Wong tackled sexism, racism and sizeism https://t.co/nHybaaqsTC pic.twitter.com/bB0zhvmexJ
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 23, 2020
‘I couldn’t even brush my hair’: Emily Scott’s arthritis battle https://t.co/KAeIK8ibMu pic.twitter.com/caIOOV64IQ
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 27, 2020
Female athletes are at the peak of sporting performance in the same years they're most fertile. In part 2 of our series, From Here to Maternity, when should athletes think about having kids? How are they helped in that decision? And what's stopping them? https://t.co/G7WFchPu09
— Suzanne McFadden (@suzemcfadden) November 16, 2020
Loughborough’s Rhona Lloyd on why it’s important to give female athletes a voice and more coverage on TV | NewsChain https://t.co/tfHPR3FnEZ pic.twitter.com/ds6OikV1LL
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 19, 2020
Coaching intern Allainmat excited by life on “the other side of the fence” https://t.co/evYSeEsF7J pic.twitter.com/cQLlzCYFto
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 22, 2020
Why must female pundits repeatedly prove themselves while men are given leeway? https://t.co/FLYN583i2T pic.twitter.com/BmTUXrNgzE
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 23, 2020
Rugby taught Simmers valuable lessons https://t.co/S8gqVm8z56 pic.twitter.com/ZHTr1KnzH4
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 27, 2020
Kawonza named in women’s rugby Unstoppables https://t.co/DsJokBm0mR pic.twitter.com/b8rKEMX02D
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 16, 2020
Beth Onesemo striving for gender equity in Samoan rugby | World Rugby https://t.co/E3jGy6iBjD pic.twitter.com/ktygPkPi3v
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 20, 2020
Bok Women's Mkari has the Rights stuff: 'Rugby has made me who I am today' https://t.co/oL7qvEcvlb pic.twitter.com/XU9dhAkTkr
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 22, 2020
Rugby Africa Unstoppable CJ Kotze using her voice to promote women’s game in Namibia https://t.co/wF9AZMBsV0 pic.twitter.com/frZjAYiNRd
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 24, 2020
Transgender Women Rugby Stories - Caroline Layt's lived rugby playing experience https://t.co/oG1uuL8O5c pic.twitter.com/OpS1TiOkh4
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 20, 2020
Why Would Women Play Rugby?1973 https://t.co/UdoyQSUO8E pic.twitter.com/Sj3M61deIy
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 26, 2020
Episode 53 Joined by @amycokayne and @HelenaRowland99 Off the back of playing France at the weekend! #WRP https://t.co/EGKJelrpEq pic.twitter.com/oJVloctb2z
— Women’s Rugby Pod (@podwomensrugby) November 17, 2020
NEW VIDEO: The game of the weekend! After two 2020 losses to their biggest foe, XV de France féminine struck back in style at Twickenham, before falling to an incredible comeback by the Red Roses. So how did England pull it out the bag at the death?https://t.co/cjzcet8Jl2 pic.twitter.com/JKgyjQ3f4A
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) November 27, 2020
Season 3 Episode 7 (...our 40th edition!) is now live.
— Try Hards Podcast (@TryHardsPod) November 25, 2020
Red Roses and Autumn Nations Cup in review. @MissLJJ gets v serious in her concerns for the game and @nolli15 talks about how differently she felt about the #RWC2021 draw compared to when she was playing.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Greaux Rugby Podcast: Dr. Amelia Luciano the International World Rugby Referee https://t.co/Hr23qtxHCp pic.twitter.com/xpiNbl7XOM
— Your Scrumhalf Connection (@yscrugby) November 28, 2020