World Rugby has announced a revised qualification process for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021 because of the Tongan women’s XV’s withdrawal from the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship currently underway at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
The Tongan women’s team in quarantine for 18 days because of a player suspected of measles has withdrawn from the tourney under the instructions from the Government in consultations with the World Health Organisation.
World Rugby said recognising the level of investment made by teams to participate in the Championship and to provide Tonga with an opportunity to qualify for the Women’s World Cup a revised qualification process had been agreed.
The winner of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2019 will still qualify directly for the Women’s Rugby World Cup but early next year the Tonga Women’s XV will travel to the country which comes third in the championship for a play-off which most likely will be the ANZ Papua New Guinea Palais XV.
The winner of that match will lock horns against the second placed team which will either be the Fiji Airways Fijiana XV or the Manusina XV to decide which team will compete in the repecharge tournament.
The Rugby World Cup Limited will cover the costs of both additional test matches with fixture details to be released in due course.
Australia and New Zealand have already secured qualification for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 as a result of finishing in the top seven placed teams at its 2017 edition held in Ireland.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will be hosted in New Zealand and will be competed by 16 teams.
Meanwhile round three of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2019 will resume tomorrow with the New Zealand Black Ferns Development XVs featuring against the ANZ Papua New Guinea Palais side at 1.30pm while Australia A meets the Manusina XV at 4pm in the feature match.
The Fiji Airways Fijiana XVs is on a bye. The ticket prices are $5 flat and children under 12. are free.
