An unprecedented boom in women’s rugby league ushers in an exciting new era for the sport. The sixth staging of the World Cup arrives with performance and hype at an all time high, writes Mat Barnes.
When Australia defeated New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 to secure their second World Cup crown, the women’s game was on the precipice of dramatic change.
The Bradford Bulls had recently celebrated becoming the inaugural champions of the Women’s Super League in England, while the NRLW was scheduled to kickoff in Australia the following year.
Both competitions were well overdue and finally afforded these athletes the opportunity to channel their passion and hone their skills in a semi-professional capacity.
The Only Sports Show | Listen to our latest episode:
Leading players took it one step further and capitalised on the increased exposure by supplementing their playing contracts with endorsement deals, allowing them to focus full-time on their craft – it was no longer an amateur game.
This fast-tracked athlete development, competition standard, and the product as a whole. It enabled the game to reach previously unscaled heights and audiences in a short space of time.
More eyeballs are now watching the women’s game than ever before. Viewership of the 2022 NRLW Grand Final increased by 197% on the previous October decider in 2020, and the Women’s Challenge Cup Final in Leeds earlier this year peaked in excess of 300,000 viewers.
This rise in exposure and goodwill of the brand has new corporate partners lining-up to be involved. Westpac’s recently announced partnership with the NRL is a major coup for the sport, as a key focus will be placed on producing the next generation of NRLW players through the RISE Rookie Academy.
This will further accelerate the growth of female participation at a grassroots level in Australia, consistent with a boom in player numbers the worldover. Participants in Papua New Guinea have tripled over the past two years and the game is beginning to take-off in unexpected areas such as the Americas, Africa and Middle East.
Perhaps the greatest indication of where the game is trending is Australia’s women will be compensated at the same pay rate as the men for this tournament – a whopping 1000% increase from 2017.
Every milestone marks a further step forward in the relentless push towards full-time professionalism and global credibility.
The progress made ensures this World Cup will be the most competitive since inception, showcasing a standard of play never witnessed before.
There are eight competing nations from four separate continents; numbers which will rise to 16 and five in 2025. Admittedly, only a few have a serious chance of winning, but all have the opportunity to forge new ground in unison with the women’s game.
In anticipation, let’s run our eyes over what’s at stake for those set to captivate the crowds over the next three weeks.
Australia
The twice-reigning World Champions are stacked with superstars; it’s difficult to see anyone beating them. They are currently riding a Jillaroos record of eight straight Test victories; don’t be surprised if this streak extends to 13 by tournament’s end. It would mark consecutive undefeated World Cup campaigns and their third successive crown.
Brazil
Regardless of results, the Amazonians are creating history by becoming the first South American team to compete in any rugby league World Cup. They only have two remaining survivors from their nation’s only previous international (a 48-nil victory over Argentina in 2018), but will pack plenty of passion and punch as evident in their competitive defeat to France in a warm-up last week. A victory in any of their group matches is unlikely, but would be a celebrated moment in rugby league history if it came to fruition.
Canada
The Ravens surprised the rugby league world by reaching the semi-finals in their maiden World Cup appearance in 2017, but now carry the weight of expectation to deliver again. Their opening match against Papua New Guinea will likely decide which of the two nations advance to the knockout stage; Canada perhaps holding the mental edge after defeating PNG in 2017. Despite this, a victory this time around will be considered an upset in the eyes of many.
Cook Islands
The Cook Island Moana’s rousing final minute victory over England at the 2017 World Cup was arguably the moment of the tournament. Now led by Gold Coast Titans veteran Kimiora Breayley-Nati who played halfback for New Zealand five years ago, they will be aiming to make headlines again. Being grouped with Australia and New Zealand makes an advancement to the semis highly improbable. But a win over fellow Group B underdogs France would still be a respectable achievement in their third World Cup campaign.
England
England have never made a World Cup Final and like their male counterparts, will need to break their Australia and New Zealand hoodoo to advance. In eight collective match-ups versus the aforementioned nations they have suffered defeats by an average margin of 27 points. However, they have never been better primed for success with their entire squad battle-hardened from a stiffening Super League competition and determined to make history on home soil.
France
Wins have been few and far between for Les Tricolores. They have won just three of 27 Tests since entering the international fold in 2007 and this trend is expected to continue as they enter the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Despite this bleak outlook, a win against the Cook Islands would be a massive boost for a rugby league loving nation who continue to invest heavily in the women’s game.
New Zealand
If any nation can upset Australia it is the Kiwi Ferns who already boast three World Cup trophies in their cabinet. They might not have their most intimidating side on paper, but led by Dally M Medalist Raecene McGregor they have enough quality where it counts to win another title on English soil as they did at the inaugural World Cup in 2000.
Papua New Guinea
When the Orchids claimed their maiden Test victory against England in 2019, nobody could’ve predicted a three-year wait for their next game to prove it was no fluke. Spearheaded by Captain and St George Illawarra enforcer Elsie Albert, they have the firepower to not only advance to their first Semi-Final, but potentially top Group A if they dish-out a similar punishment to the host nation. Expect them to cause plenty of headaches.
