World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin is hoping a world-record crowd at Eden Park on October 8 can be used as a vehicle to grow women's participation in the sport.
Gilpin revealed over 35,000 tickets have been sold for the opening day of Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022), headlined by the Wallaroos facing defending champions Black Ferns.
Catch every game of Rugby World Cup 2021 LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
It will smash the record for the highest attended World Cup match for a Women's World Cup along for a women's sporting event in New Zealand.
He believes this is a 'sign of confidence' heading forward, looking at ways to harness the positive support heading into the future.
“I think it’s a great sign of confidence this is going to be a great tournament,” Gilpin told Rugby.com.au
“A year delayed, you always worry it’s going to be hard to put a tournament on in these circumstances we are in, the teams have been incredibly patient, their commitment has been fantastic and I think what you are seeing is the NZ public getting behind it.
“I think it bodes well for the entire tournament.”
To do so, World Rugby Director of Women's Rugby Sally Horrox outlined four key 'pillars' surrounding the future of the game to drive growth.
This includes raising and changing the profile of the game, supporting to move to professionalism, developing new growth plans and pathways as well as facilitating leadership, planning and investment in the game.
"With record crowds set for the opening weekend, it's clear that women's rugby is growing in appeal and popularity and our inspirational and incredible athletes are starting to become household names," she said at the tournament's Opening Press Conference.
"Women’s rugby is a cornerstone of World Rugby’s growth plan for the whole game. If we are to grow a global game for all we will need more girls and women playing, coaching, refereeing, volunteering and leading our sport.
"This Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the next three Rugby World Cups that follow have a very important role to play in this plan. These events anchor us and provide a compass to guide us as we increase our effort and investment so that we fast track growth over the next decade.
"...Women’s rugby is in the early stages of development. Experience tells me that if we are to grow safely, sustainably and responsibly we will need a long-term plan, increased investment and your support. We are currently developing our 10-year sport and business plan and we look forward to working with our partner unions, regions and stakeholders to deliver this."
The Pacific, including Australia, looms as a key area of growth in World Rugby's eyes.
Fijiana will play in the first World Cup, by far the most popular team, even more than hosts New Zealand, during the Team's Welcome as all 12 nations received their participation medal and cap.
“We are grateful to be here. It has been a journey, we’ve been through some tough times just to be here so we are just grateful and ready to get out there," Fijiana captain Sereima Leweniqila said.
With the Women's World Cup heading to Australia in 2029, Gilpin recognises the need to grow as World Rugby look to introduce 'WXU' in 2023, an annual global women’s international 15s competition.
“We want to build to a tournament in ’25 (in England) with 16 teams and using the platform of WXU, an annual competition starting next year, to do that,” he added.
“We want to build towards Australia in ’29 and ultimately to the US in ’31. That certainty in the period of place and knowing where those hosts are gives people the confidence to invest in the game and that’s important to us.”
