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The pools have been confirmed for the 2021 Rugby World Cup with less than 10 months until the ninth edition of the tournament kicks off in Auckland on September 18, 2021.
Reigning champions New Zealand will face Australia, Wales and the winner of the final qualifying tournament in Group A.
In Group B, Canada will face the USA for the first time in the group stages of a Rugby World Cup alongside Europe 1 and Asia 1.
England, runners-up at the Rugby World Cup 2017, will participate in Group C alongside bronze medalists France, South Africa and Fiji, who will make their Rugby World Cup debuts.
In the 2021 Rugby World Cup draw, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, along with Rugby World Cup winners Melodie Robinson, Dr Farah Palmer and Dan Carter, drew the balls for the ninth edition of the exhibition event.
The global audience and more than 400 guests at the SkyCity Theater received a moving cultural welcome from Ngati Whatua when the kaikaranga (callers) opened the event with the unique Maori tradition.
Seven teams directly qualified for RWC 2021 thanks to a top seven result in the last tournament in Ireland in 2017, the defending champions New Zealand, the runners-up England, the bronze medalists France, the semi-finalists lost USA, Canada, Australia and Wales.
Fiji and South Africa confirmed their places through the subsequent regional qualification process in 2019, through the Women’s Rugby Africa Cup and the Women’s Rugby Oceania Championship.
The remaining three spots will be filled by a qualifier from Asia and Europe along with the winner of the Final Qualification Tournament, the first for a Women’s Rugby World Cup, offering a second chance for teams to qualify.
“It is an incredible event and it is very meaningful for us to organize it”
Prime Minister of New Zealand @jacindaardern speak to @ KT_Ten10 at # RWC2021 raffle event in Auckland # RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/RVCq7VqfPc
– Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 19, 2020
World Rugby President Sir Bill Beaumont, who was unable to be present due to the ongoing global pandemic, expressed his confidence in New Zealand Rugby to deliver a game-changing event that empowers women’s rugby globally.
Beaumont said: “New Zealand 2021 will be one of the great Rugby World Cups. It will be a celebration of the host nation, world-class rugby and women in rugby and will play a huge role in inspiring more women, girls and boys to enter rugby.
“Today marks an important step towards that ambition. It is the day when teams and fans have been waiting with great anticipation, the moment when the tournament really comes to life and the final preparations begin in earnest.
“2021 will be a golden year for women in rugby with the Olympics, and collectively we are ready to turn that opportunity into an impactful and sustainable boost for the women’s game and the growth of the sport as a whole.”
Prime Minister Ardern, speaking at the draw, said: “After all, this World Cup is an opportunity. An opportunity to grow the game here, but also internationally an opportunity to showcase our elite athletes and serve as an inspiration for girls and boys.
“An opportunity to end gender discrimination in sport. And finally an opportunity to extend the manaakitanga that New Zealand is famous for. We are committed to a spectacular 2021 Rugby World Cup and look forward to welcoming all 12 teams to Aotearoa New Zealand. ”
Black Ferns captain Eloise Blackwell, speaking at the event, said: “Sitting there with Fiao’o Fa’amausili, a legend of the game, it was quite stressful to see those balls being picked. It is interesting how the pools have turned out; we have an Australasian pool, a North American pool, and a European pool. On the other side of the pools, there is some quality equipment. “
The 2021 Rugby World Cup match schedule will be announced later in the year.
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