Wellington: Australia have been drawn against fierce rivals New Zealand – the tournament hosts and defending champions – in Pool A at next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Audience members gasped when the trans-Tasman neighbours were placed in the same pool at a draw ceremony in Auckland on Friday, attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern draws the Black Ferns to face Australia at next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held across the Tasman.Credit:Getty
The pool draw for the 12-team tournament threw up “derby” clashes between regional rivals. England, the 2017 World Cup runners-up, have been drawn with France in Pool C while North American rivals the United States and Canada are drawn in Pool B.
For the first time in the history of the women’s tournament, the draw was based on seedings. The top seven teams from the 2017 World Cup — New Zealand, England, Australia, the United States, France, Australia and Wales — qualified automatically while five others have or will advance through qualifying tournaments to be played this year.
