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RWC 2025: We Aren’t The Moment; We Are The Movement

Updated: Aug 23

Preview the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup of all-time.


Sarah Hirini and Black Ferns teammates celebrate winning the Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 on home soil.
Sarah Hirini and Black Ferns teammates celebrate winning the Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 on home soil.

Two days out from the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, anticipation has never been higher. Since 2022 the game has exploded: more professional contracts, regular test rugby, new stars emerging and the world coming to know Illona Maher.


The last Cup Final gave us everything: a controversial red card for English winger, Lydia Thompson in the 18th minute, Black Ferns Joanah Ngan-Woo’s decisive lineout steal, and Ruby Tui leading 40,000 fans in a Māori waiata, Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi as New Zealand were crowned Rugby World Cup Champions for the sixth time.


That night didn’t just give us feel-good moments; it sparked a movement.


Women’s rugby has never been bigger. Over 375,000 tickets have already been sold across eight venues in England, that’s more than double the figure from the last World Cup. For context, that’s enough to fill the biggest stadium in the world twice over. Whatever the next six weeks hold, it promises to deliver the biggest spectacle we’ve ever seen in the 15-a-side format.


To get you up to speed, here’s TFAP’s breakdown of each pool and our player to watch.


Pool A: England, Australia, United States, Samoa

Player to watch: Maya Stewart (Australia)


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.
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.

England are the benchmark. A 27-match winning streak says it all, and nothing less than topping the pool will be expected. They’ll be tested, but consistency is their trademark.


Australia versus USA shapes as one of the pool’s tastiest clashes. The Pacific Four Series has turned this into an annual rivalry, with the Wallaroos taking the most recent win in Canberra, 27-19. Momentum is with Australia, especially after their Australia A side dismantled Manusina and impressed at North Sydney Oval against Wales in front of a home crowd.


And then there’s Samoa, welcomed back since their last appearance in 2014. Fierce, proud, and underdogs but they're not a team anyone will be taking lightly. 


Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji

Player to watch: Tyson Beukeboom (Canada)


Tyson Beukeboom of Canada poses with fans post match [image via keirandelport on IG]
Tyson Beukeboom of Canada poses with fans post match [image via keirandelport on IG]

Canada enters as the in-form team, unbeaten in the 2025 Pacific Four Series and only denied the title by points difference to the Black Ferns. Their relentless style was on its best display against the Wallaroos, where they ran in eight tries.


Scotland and Wales arrive with mixed form, but the edge may be with Wales who played a 2-test series against the Wallaroos, claiming their first-ever win on Australian soil, prior to travelling to England.


Fijiana hold the most promise. The Oceania Championship winners defended their crown for a second straight year, putting the world on notice as the strongest team from the South Pacific. Fewer warm-up fixtures but quality over quantity. Unpopular opinion, but Fiji to progress out of the pool stages.


Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain

Player to watch: Sylvia Brunt (Black Ferns)


Sylvia Brunt of New Zealand dives towards the tryline to score during the Pacific Four Series International Match between New Zealand Black Ferns and Canada at Apollo Projects Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Christchurch, NZ.
Sylvia Brunt of New Zealand dives towards the tryline to score during the Pacific Four Series International Match between New Zealand Black Ferns and Canada at Apollo Projects Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Christchurch, NZ.

New Zealand headline Pool C. Their 2025 lead-up has seen 5/5 wins. In 2022 the Black Ferns leaned on the injection of their 7's stars like Portia Woodman-Witcliffe who added so much attacking prowess. They’ve gone the same route again, this time adding Jorja Miller, arguably the best sevens player in the world. The squad is stacked, but with dominance comes expectation, the 6 x World Cup champions are the hunted.


Ireland earns their return after missing the 2022 World Cup. A landmark win in 2024 over New Zealand backed up by a 3rd place finish in 2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship suggests something calm, confident, and formidable is brewing in green.


Japan proved their bite in April with a 39–33 win over the USA. The Sakura Fifteen, fuelled by their sevens DNA, bring pace, flair, and fight until the final whistle. Smaller in size but never in impact, their presence will be felt.


Spain arrives with momentum, fresh from winning WXV3 and claiming a 12th Rugby Europe Championship title. Back after missing 2 Rugby World Cups, they won’t go down without a fight.


Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

Player to watch: Manaé Feleu (France)


France's lock Manae Feleu is tackled by Wales' hooker Kelsey Jones (L) during the Women's Six Nations international rugby union match between France and Wales at the Amedee-Domenech stadium in Brive-la-Gaillarde, south-western France.
France's lock Manae Feleu is tackled by Wales' hooker Kelsey Jones (L) during the Women's Six Nations international rugby union match between France and Wales at the Amedee-Domenech stadium in Brive-la-Gaillarde, south-western France.

France have shown they can push the very best to the brink. Their narrow 43–42 loss to England in this year’s Six Nations final underlined their ability to live with the number 1 team in the world. Battle-hardened, this is a side with genuine credentials to reach the semi-finals.


Italy has renewed confidence after a mixed but encouraging Six Nations campaign, capped by back-to-back wins over Scotland and Japan in warm-up fixtures. The Italians consistently match mid-tier nations, but their regular exposure in the Six Nations could give them a crucial edge over lower-ranked opponents.


South Africa land in England with vigour. Under new coach Swys de Bruin, the Springbok Women have notched 5 wins from 8 games. Their historic victory over the Black Ferns XV in July sets them up strongly for the opening two fixtures before their last and biggest pool match against, France.


Brazil is the story of Pool D. This marks their first-ever Rugby World Cup appearance -men’s or women’s. Traditionally known for their sevens pedigree, Brazil showed immense ambition by beating Colombia 34–13 in the South American qualifier, despite having played only 15 test matches ever. Their debut adds both history and intrigue to the tournament. 


The action kicks off on Saturday, 23 August, with a standalone opening clash between hosts England and the USA, headlined by pop superstar Anne-Marie.


The stage is set; the countdown is almost over - let the tournament begin!



Written by Sera Naiqama

Wallaroo, Super Rugby Women's player and pundit.


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