46 - 27

What to watch in women's rugby: Road to England 2025 continues

355 days ago

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Maya Stewart of Australia scores a try during the 2024 Pacific Four Series match between Australia Wallaroos and USA at AAMI Park on May 17, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification will be decided across three competitions over the next 10 days and you can watch the action unfold with RugbyPass TV.

The equation facing Australia in North Harbour this Saturday could not be simpler: beat their hosts for the first time and tickets to England 2025 and WXV 1 2024 in Canada are theirs.

Lose or draw and it will be USA taking the remaining spot from the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024, alongside champions Canada and New Zealand.

Abbie Ward: Bump in the Road | trailer

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream Type LIVE

Remaining Time 0:00

Abbie Ward: Bump in the Road | trailer

Bump in the Road explores the challenges faced by professional female athletes and all working mothers, featuring England lock, Abbie Ward. Watch the full documentary on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Meanwhile, Japan are one victory from confirming their place at Women’s RWC 2025 and WXV 2 2024, while Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea begin their qualification journey on Friday.

In Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) on Saturday, Saracens have the chance to lay down a marker for the end-of-season play-offs as they welcome league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury to StoneX Stadium.

Fortunately, all that action and more is available to stream live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

Date with destiny for Wallaroos

The 2024 Pacific Four Series draws to a close in North Harbour on Saturday, and Australia know they must make history against New Zealand if they are to qualify for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 1 2024.

Defeat to the USA last Friday dented the Wallaroos’ hopes of playing in the top level of WXV this year and securing their ticket to England 2025 at the earliest opportunity.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

New Zealand Women

67 - 19

Full-time

Australia Women

All Stats and Data

Crucially, though, the Wallaroos picked up two bonus points from the 32-25 loss, meaning they will leapfrog USA in the final standings if they earn a first-ever Test victory against the Black Ferns this weekend.

They will come up against wounded hosts on Saturday, however, after New Zealand suffered a maiden defeat against Canada last weekend to cede the title to the North Americans.

It was the first time the Black Ferns had lost a Pacific Four Series match and although Patricia Maliepo’s late try earned the bonus point that gave them a place in this year’s WXV 1 tournament, they will want to end their campaign on a winning note.

Black Ferns fans can take heart from the fact they won last year’s two O’Reilly Cup matches by an aggregate of 93-3 and the hosts have scored at least 40 points in four of their previous five Tests against the Wallaroos.

All the action is available to stream for free via RugbyPass TV except where there is a local broadcast deal in place (Canada, New Zealand and USA).

Saturday, 25 May

03:05 BST (GMT+1) – New Zealand v Australia, North Harbour Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Sarries welcome unbeaten Circus to town

Two weeks before the PWR play-offs are due to begin, fans will get an opportunity to watch the current top two go head-to-head in north London.

Gloucester-Hartpury ensured they would finish the regular season top of the table last weekend as they won their 15th match out of 15, running in nine tries to beat Trailfinders Women 59-12 at Kingsholm.

The Circus are now 80 minutes from an unbeaten league season and the champions will be determined to leave StoneX Stadium with an 18th successive PWR victory.

Fixture

PWR

Saracens Women

33 - 31

Full-time

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC

All Stats and Data

Saracens, though, are a team in form and know that victory would secure a home semi-final against either Exeter Chiefs or Bristol Bears the following weekend.

Sarah McKenna was the star of the show last Sunday, scoring a hat-trick of tries to help Saracens to a resounding 57-7 defeat of Exeter at Sandy Park.

Another big result this weekend against the champions would lay down a considerable marker for the upcoming play-offs.

All the action is available to stream for free via RugbyPass TV except where there is a local broadcast deal in place (UK, Ireland, Canada and USA).

Saturday, 25 May

12:00 BST (GMT+1) – Saracens v Gloucester-Hartpury, StoneX Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

World Cup tickets up for grabs in Asia, Oceania

Samoa will begin their Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title defence on Friday as they compete with Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea for Women’s RWC 2025 and WXV 3 2024 qualification.

Cassie Siataga was the Manusina heroine last year, scoring all of her side’s points as they edged to a 19-18 victory against Fiji to claim the title and their place at WXV 2 in South Africa.

Samoa will get their 2024 campaign underway against Papua New Guinea at Sunnybank Rugby Club in Brisbane on Friday after Fiji and Tonga have opened the tournament.

Fiji will then play Papua New Guinea before Samoa take on Tonga next Wednesday. The tournament concludes on Sunday, 2 June and the final day will again be headlined by the meeting between Manusina and Fijiana.

Whoever finishes the tournament top of the table will book their ticket to England 2025. Due to Samoa finishing bottom of the inaugural WXV 2 standings, the champions and runners-up will both compete in the third level in Dubai this September and October.

Meanwhile, Japan can secure their place at Women’s RWC 2025 when the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024 continues in Hong Kong.

The Sakura 15s were grateful for two tries in the final 10 minutes as they secured an opening round 29-12 victory against Hong Kong China on Wednesday.

It means they will qualify for both England 2025 and WXV 2 2024 if they beat Kazakhstan at King’s Park Sports Ground on Monday.

All the action from Brisbane and Hong Kong is available to stream live and for free worldwide on RugbyPass TV.

Friday, 24 May

08:30 BST (GMT+1) – Fiji v Tonga, Sunnybank Rugby Club – WATCH LIVE HERE

10:30 BST (GMT+1) – Samoa v Papua New Guinea, Sunnybank Rugby Club – WATCH LIVE HERE

Monday, 27 May

12:00 BST (GMT+1) – Japan v Kazakhstan, King’s Park Sports Ground – WATCH LIVE HERE

Wednesday, 29 May

08:30 BST (GMT+1) – Fiji v Papua New Guinea, Sunnybank Rugby Club – WATCH LIVE HERE

10:30 BST (GMT+1) – Samoa v Tonga, Sunnybank Rugby Club – WATCH LIVE HERE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

Key questions for four Australian teams on final stretch of Super Rugby Pacific

Can Brumbies and Reds secure home advantage for play-offs? Can the Force and Waratahs make top six?

LONG READ

JP du Preez, the 650-day injury lay-off and the 'miracle' bone donation

The giant Glasgow lock went close to two years without playing and required a donated fragment of femur bone to recover from a serious knee injury.

LONG READ

How the Chiefs have become Super Rugby Pacific's ultimate finishers

Clayton McMillan's impact subs and dynamism off the bench have made the Chiefs stronger at the end of matches than they are at the beginning.

Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 23 hours ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 1 day ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 1 day ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 1 day ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍