Welcome to the top women’s rugby news for June 28 – July 4. We begin with the exciting news that the pools have been confirmed for the Olympics! Pool A includes New Zealand, Russia, Great Britain and Kenya, Pool B is Canada, France, Fiji and Brazil and Pool C includes Australia, USA, China and Japan. We expect the match schedule to be released as early as next week.
In XVs news, the Waratahs took home their fourth Super W title. Unfortunately this was overshadowed when it was discovered on an audio recording that Wallaroos coaches Dwayne Nestor and Matt Tink had used “unacceptable language” and have since resigned. In South Africa’s Premier Division, DHL Western and the Border Ladies have confirmed their spots in the playoffs and Kenya was shocked in the Africa’s Cup as they were upset 27-15 by Madagascar; they will play again next week.
In 7s news, Samoa is stuck in Dubai after competing at the Repechage as they were denied passage for failing to comply with COVID requirements, Scion won Cape Fear 7s and the United States Army won the 2021 Armed Forces 7s Championship.
In “Other News”, Asia continues to embrace gender equity and pundits Sam Smith, Alice Soper and Scotty Stevenson condemned Sam Casey’s ill advised women’s rugby article.
We close out the week with 8 features and 5 media.
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tl;dr: Under the Posts – Women’s Rugby News for Jun 28-Jul 4 shares the Pools for the Olympics, Australia’s Waratahs took home their 4th Super W title, Scion wins Cape Fear 7s & the United States Air Force won the 2021 Armed Forces 7s Championships.
Video Summary
Featured Women’s Rugby News
World Rugby has announced the pools for the Tokyo Olympics. Defending Olympic Champions are in Pool C with USA, China and Japan.
Pool A | Pool B | Pool C |
New Zealand | Canada | Australia |
Russia | France | USA |
Great Britian | Fiji | China |
Kenya | Brazil | Japan |
We expect the Olympic Rugby schedule will be announced in the next week!
Top Women’s Rugby News
XVs
- Waratahs have taken home their fourth Super W title in Australia
- The Championship was a bit tarnished once it discovered that Wallaroos head coach Dwayne Nestor and assistant coach Matt Tink had used “unacceptable language” in an audio recording and both have resigned
- DHL Western and Border Ladies have sealed their spots in South Africa’s Premier Division semi-finals
- In Rugby Africa’s Cup, Kenya was upset by Madagascar 27-15 in their first match, they will play again July 11
- Scotland announced their strategic approach for the next three years
7s
- Russia heads to Tokyo as European 7s Champions after taking home back to back events
- Samoa is stuck in Dubai after the Olympic Repechage as they were denied passage due to not complying with COVID requirements
- Australia’s Chloe Dalton is out for the Olympics
- Scion won Cape Fear 7s
- The United States Army won the 2021 Armed Forces 7s Championships
Other News
- World Rugby spoke to Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai and World Rugby Council member Ada Milby about the governing body’s commitment to gender parity
- Sam Smith, Alice Soper and Scotty Stevenson all condemn Sam Casey’s ill advised women’s rugby article where he described New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR] investment in women’s rugby as “hush money”
Women’s Rugby Features
- Wales’ Jasmine Joyce shares how she hasn’t always had everyone’s vote of confidence due to her stature
- Great Britain’s Megan Jones and Celia Quansah talk with BBC Sport about their relationship and Olympic selection
- Australia’s Super W is driving female participation in referees
- Samoa’s Cynthia Ta’ala former Manusina captain discusses her career in the game and the ambitions she has as a coach
- Wales Women head coach Warren Abrahams is proud of his players’ efforts at the recent Rugby Europe 7s Championship
- Black Ferns trio Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Amanda Rasch and Joanah Ngan Woo all star for the Wellington Pride women’s team, play their club rugby for Oriental Rongotai and are hoping to be part of the 2021 Rugby World Cup on home soil
Women’s Rugby Media
- USA’s Nicole Heavirland is featured by KHQ6 where she reflects on her journey from Montana to the Olympics
- England’s Marlie Packer talks about growing up in a single-parent household, winning the 2014 Rugby World Cup and raising her own child
- England’s Megan Jones and Celia Quansah were left jobless when the RFU cut funding in July 2020 but now they’ve booked their tickets to Tokyo
- New Zealand’s Sarah Hirini will be a flag-bearer at the Olympics
- USA’s Abby Gustaitis is featured by her HS alma mater
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby7s/status/1409421913030643721
The stage is set for the #Tokyo2020 pool stages as coaches, players and fans countdown to kick-off on 26 July
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 28, 2021
XVs
https://twitter.com/WallaroosRugby/status/1411208937383280643
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1412124230658007043
A gap has opened up at the top of the Women's Premier Division standings, but the race for bronze is on! pic.twitter.com/MYvlAbnWl3
— Springbok Women (@WomenBoks) June 29, 2021
Kenya Lionesses 15 - 27 XV Makis Ladies
— MALAGASY RUGBY (@MalagasyRugby) July 3, 2021
Premier des 2 tests face au Kenya en faveur des XV Makis Ladies#RugbyAfricaWomensCup#africa_as_one #Alefa_Madagascar #Alefa_Makis pic.twitter.com/eANPgKS9zo
We are excited to host the Zimbabwe ladies for the first time on 14th and 18th July 2021. #Riseofwomensrugby #RugbyAfricaCup pic.twitter.com/cJlFvza5Or
— Uganda Lady Cranes Rugby (@LadyCranesRugby) July 4, 2021
Scottish Rugby has unveiled its strategic approach for the next three-years as the sport emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 29, 2021
Full story ⤵️
7s
Our women head to #Tokyo2020 as European Champions after securing a second tournament win from two in Moscow this weekend! pic.twitter.com/O642hGFZ9s
— Russian Rugby (@russiarugby) June 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1410644434065281030
It’s with great sadness we can confirm @ChloeDalton7s is no longer available for selection in #Tokyo2020
— AU 7s (@Aussie7s) July 1, 2021
The team sends its support and well wishing to Chloe ahead of surgery this afternoon. https://t.co/5dBSaM9y92
Won the tournament…#capefear7s pic.twitter.com/PU9sBoegxq
— Scion Rugby (@ScionRugby) June 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1410720031521058821
Other News
Embracing gender equality in the boardroom makes it “much easier” to nurture women in rugby in Asia#Teampowered #AsiaRugby #Worldrugby@adamilby @QaisUAE @KSadleir https://t.co/0YNUno4LG3
— Asia Rugby (@asiarugby) July 1, 2021
.@sumostevenson read a column about women's rugby, screamed at the ceiling for several hours, then wrote this. https://t.co/H0YeevawT8
— The Spinoff (@TheSpinoffTV) July 2, 2021
Imagine being so powerful, that a dude you don’t know is still mad about an opinion you expressed (and still stand by!) over a year ago.
— Alice Soper (@alicesoapbox) July 1, 2021
Turns out, I’m that powerful in Sam Casey’s mind. Thanks for the publicity baaaabes!
Read this 90s style throwback in this months Rugby News pic.twitter.com/1cv8aot7js
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1411037050971856912
Meet Jasmine Joyce, the Wales and Olympic speedster who was dubbed too small for rugby but is now earning plaudits from Shane Williamshttps://t.co/mZGBZyizUO pic.twitter.com/1KF2CmR9LN
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) June 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1409949878269186049
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1410357528962256899
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1411082431470477314
Former Ireland Women’s captain, Lynne Cantwell, stepped into the role of SA Rugby High Performance Manager for Women’s rugby in January. Seven months down the line she has already started reshaping the women’s game in South Africa.
— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) July 5, 2021
Details ▶️ https://t.co/NaqNpq6FK8@WomenBoks
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1411399479257935874
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1409874419137327114
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1410312244429262849
• Growing up in a single-parent household
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 1, 2021
• Winning @RugbyWorldCup 2014
• Raising a child in a same-sex relationship
An open, honest and powerful episode of #TheOpenSide with @MarliePacker
https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1410214032775073793
"It's one of the biggest honours I could ever receive"
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 29, 2021
• @Sgoss10 on being selected as flag-bearer for @TheNZTeam
• What it means for her family and the reaction of her @BlackFerns teammates
• Inspiring the next generation and being a proud Maori pic.twitter.com/qKy7mKpOAY
And ICYMI an awesome chat with @NHHSHawks' own @AbbyGustaitis before she captains @USARugby in #Tokyo. So how exactly did she go from thinking her athletic career was over after high school to now being an Olympian? It's a great story... https://t.co/rxMDlUX8Nj
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) June 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/yscrugby/status/1411324008046501892