Wallaroos draw confirmed for Rugby World Cup 2021

Thu, Nov 19, 2020, 9:45 PM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
The Wallaroos have drawn New Zealand, Wales and the Final Qualifier Winner in Pool A for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year. Photo: Getty images
The Wallaroos have drawn New Zealand, Wales and the Final Qualifier Winner in Pool A for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year. Photo: Getty images

The Wallaroos have drawn New Zealand, Wales and the Final Qualifier Winner in Pool A for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year.

The last time Australia played Wales was at the Rugby World Cup 2014 in France where Australia accounted for Wales 25-3.

Australia's last clash against New Zealand was in 2019 at Eden Park where the Wallaroos fell 37-8.

The Final Qualifier Winner will be determined in 2021 and will include the last qualified nation out of the final repechage.

It will be the first time the Women’s World Cup will be held in the southern hemisphere with friendly time zones set to inspire a new generation of fans who will be able to follow Australia’s campaign closely.

Wallaroos Head Coach Dwayne Nestor said: “There are no easy games at the Rugby World Cup and we are really excited by the challenge of meeting New Zealand, Wales and the Final Qualifier Winner.

“This is Rugby’s biggest stage and I know the entire squad will be really looking forward to the next 12 months.

“There is no doubt 2020 has thrown up some challenges, but I know from seeing our women play across the country that there is a real hunger there to be putting forward their name for selection next year.

“The hard work really must ramp up now as we get ready for one of the biggest years to date in Women’s Rugby.

“We have a camp coming up in December and this will be the time for our players to really show who wants to be wearing that jersey in New Zealand next year.”

Wallaroos Captain Grace Hamilton said: “I’m incredibly excited about the prospect of Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

“To have it in the southern hemisphere is going to open people’s eyes to our World Cup and I know New Zealand will be fantastic hosts.

“Now that we know we are meeting New Zealand, Wales and the Final Qualifier Winner, we can take up our preparation up another notch and we are all looking forward to Test Rugby again.”

The Wallaroos will have a camp in Canberra from December 1-6 at the Australian Institute of Sport with the squad to be named next week.

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