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Rugby World Cup Records Under Fire in Ireland WRWC2017

So as the matches continue at Billings Park on Thursday, fans on hand will feel the excitement, hear the tackles and witness the joy, as teams celebrate. Fans from all around the world can listen, watch or stream the games.  In Ireland, geographic barriers and Rugby World Cup records continue to fall at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2017, as the game goes from strength to strength.

From the Last Word on Rugby department.

The constant evolution of the game of rugby union, sees new and exciting feats and accomplishments. Men and women become fitter, faster and stronger. And so, with these advancements, more Rugby World Cup records are under fire in Ireland, 2017.

The latest World Rugby tournament see’s 12 of the best rugby teams facing each other. The female players are entertaining the crowds at Billings Park and the UCD Bowl in Dublin. So much so, that new records and peak viewing numbers look likely to be eclipse past World Cups.

By records, Last Word on Rugby means in scoring, attack and overall. The action after only two days play, has seen a huge number of tries scored. Some teams have already eclipsed their entire aggregate scores from France–how improved the attacking abilities are.

Not only is this the pinnacle tournament for the sport, but for Women’s rugby. It is the highlight of every women’s nations RWC cycle. And since the last 2014 event held in France, the game has grown incredibly. That growth, and the high performing athletes involved, mean that old records are under threat–both on the field, and online.

Rugby World Cup Records Under Fire in Ireland, 2017

Records are made to be broken. The sport is unrelenting in it’s pursuit of the ideal game. Coaches demand more, the rugby public too, and to this end the athletes are highly focused. The goal is to win the world cup, and along the way match results in Dublin are proving more attacking than ever before.

In every cup campaign, one team charges ahead. One big result, and that side demonstrates their attacking threat. In 2017, that team is New Zealand. Through one big result: the 121-0 win over Hong Kong, the Kiwi women have targeted many Rugby World Cup records.

Statistics are always a measure of the strength of the competition. Not to be an insult to others, but the Tier Two nations seem to be on the receiving end from Tier One nations. Nothing new in that–and it applies to many International competitions.

As a team New Zealand have scored 165 points after two matches. France scored 120 and Canada and England with 113 and 112 respectively. That shows how the teams are already averaging over 50 points per game.

Incredibly, the only record not broken in that game was the high number of tries from Portia Woodman (9). Amazingly; or coincidentally, a Hong Kong women’s player still holds that record. Ashley Billington in 1994 scored an unreal 10 tries!

2010 < 2017 WRWC Statistics Comparison

  • The total points scored for the tournament were 1193. After two days/12 matches in 2017, the total is already 707!
  • New Zealand ended that tournament as the leading point scorers with 186 – an average of 37.20 per match. In 2017, they have already scored 165 points! 82.5 point average.
  • Kazakhstan conceded the most points, at 203. Sadly Hong Kong have allowed 219 points against them in their tough Pool B.
  • Leading tryscorers in 2010 were Black Ferns flyer Carla Hohepa and Canada wing Heather Moyse with seven. So far, Portia Woodman has scored nine, with Magali Harvey (see below picture) dotting down an incredible six times. Five in one game.
  • A total of 65 yellow cards were handed out across the 36 matches in 2010. To date, 12 cards have been awarded = average one per game (much lower on avg than in 2010)

All the player statistics look to be improving, with more focus in 2017 on areas like defense,  tackles made/missed, handling errors, meters gained and more. The metrics can show advancements in both the competitive nature, and in training and familiarity with the modern game.

More Rugby World Cup records will fall, new records to be made. If the scoring patterns continue, New Zealand, England, Canada and the USA will establish new baselines for future World Cups.

World Rugby Applauds Women’s Game and Viewer Numbers

“The excitement across Ireland and beyond is phenomenal,” say’s Bill Beaumont. The Chairman who is an avid supporter for growing the game.

“It all points to what will be a defining, record-breaking Rugby World Cup.”

World Rugby, the game’s governing body, has suggested that this tournament could be “the most competitive, best attended, most watched, and most socially engaged women’s rugby event to date”.

Social media is playing a big part for the world audience. That is important, with all platforms active. Mobile phone apps can be downloaded, tweets and Facebook posts keeping an interested public up-to-date.

Never replacing ‘being at the game’ as an attraction itself, but it is a medium which is now easier than ever to reach.

And with this increased global reach, the game can target new markets. Even while a team like Hong Kong or Kazakhstan [2010] may well suffer losses at the World Cup, they have made it through tough qualifying. Tournaments and new programs in areas like South-East Asia or the Americas will increase those nations competing to play in 2021.

So as the matches continue at Billings Park on Thursday, fans on hand will feel the excitement, hear the tackles and witness the joy, as teams celebrate. Fans from all around the world can listen, watch or stream the games.

In Ireland, geographic barriers and Rugby World Cup records continue to fall at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017, as the game goes from strength to strength.

 

“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images

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