- Brisbane, Queensland, to host Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship from 24 May - 2 June.
- Tournament to feature National Women’s teams from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
- The 2024 competition is even more significant than previous years, as teams compete for a spot in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
- The winner of the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship will also secure one of the two (2) spots available for Oceania in the WXV 3 Division.
- The runner-up of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship will secure the second spot available for Oceania in the WXV 3 Division and will contest the final five (5) spots available from the 2024 WXV 2 - 3 Competition for qualification to the 2025 Rugby World Cup (highest 5 placed non - qualified teams across WXV 2 - 3).
"The 2024 Oceania Rugby Women's Championships marks a pivotal moment for women's rugby in our region. This tournament not only showcases the immense talent and dedication of our athletes but also underscores our commitment to raising the standard of women's rugby across Oceania. The success of the Manusina last year highlighted the amazing potential for the women's game to grow in the coming years and as we pave the way for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 in England," stated Frank Puletua, Oceania Rugby General Manager.
Oceania Rugby is thrilled to announce the commencement of the highly anticipated 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championships, scheduled to take place from May 24 to June 2 at the prestigious Sunnybank Rugby Union Club in Brisbane.
"This event isn't just about rugby, it's about the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and the shared passion that unites families, players, and volunteers. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a casual observer, the games promise to deliver an experience like no other, and Sunnybank Rugby is delighted to be a part of the occasion," added John Miller, Chairman, Sunnybank Rugby Union Club.
"The impact it will have on the people, let alone females across the country, will be huge. Rugby Union is still the number one (1) game in the Country. The game has given so many people, families opportunities for a better life. And that is our goal for Women’s Rugby in Tonga. Is to help create a pathway for our women to get opportunities for a better life just like their male counterparts," said Tonga Assistant Coach Eddie Aholelei, underlining the broader significance of the tournament.
The championship serves as the pinnacle of women's rugby in the Oceania region and holds significant stakes as the direct qualifier for the 2025 World Rugby Cup in England. The team emerging victorious from this prestigious tournament will secure their spot on the world stage, representing Oceania with pride and honor.
In addition, the winner of the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship will also secure one of the two (2) spots available for Oceania in the WXV 3 Division, solidifying their position as a powerhouse of the region. Meanwhile, the runner-up of the Championship will claim the second spot for Oceania in the WXV 3 Division. They will then have the opportunity to compete for a place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup by contending with the top (5) spots available from the 2024 WXV 2 - 3 Competition for qualification, showcasing the fierce competition and high stakes involved in this year’s competition.
"Our focus and determination are for our Manusina to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and to qualify for the WXV competition. These are fantastic opportunities to provide our players and coaches high-performance experience and game-time leading up to London," expressed Lakapi Samoa CEO, Vincent Fepuleai.
The tournament will kick off on May 24 with a captivating double header, igniting the competition with fervor. Fiji will face off against Tonga in the opening match, followed by Samoa taking on Papua New Guinea in what promises to be an enthralling showdown. The action-packed evening is set to commence at 5:30pm with Fiji versus Tonga, followed by Samoa versus Papua New Guinea at 7:30pm.
As the championship progresses into its second round on May 29, the intensity is expected to escalate further as the teams battle for supremacy. Fiji will go head-to-head against Papua New Guinea, while Samoa will clash with Tonga in a bid to secure crucial points on the leaderboard.
"Fiji Rugby has been investing in the women’s XV team with these Oceania Championships as a key milestone in their planning. Our coaching and management teams are hopeful our efforts, and those of the players will bear fruit at the Oceania’s with qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup," emphasized Fiji Rugby High-Performance Unit Women’s Rugby Manager, Alana Thomas.
The final round of the championship, slated for June 2, will witness Tonga locking horns with Papua New Guinea, setting the stage for a gripping encounter. The pinnacle of the tournament will see Samoa facing off against Fiji in what promises to be a showdown of epic proportions, with the title hanging in the balance.
"The Oceania region recognises the importance of developing the women's game, not only for the growth of rugby across our region, but also globally. Through the unwavering support of our Member Unions, Government Partners and World Rugby our Executive Board is committed to investing in and growing the women's game across the Pacific," said Richard Sapias, President of Oceania Rugby’s Board.
As the excitement builds and anticipation reaches fever pitch, rugby enthusiasts from across the globe are eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama and spectacle that this championship is set to deliver. Stay tuned as the countdown begins for what promises to be an unforgettable journey filled with exhilarating matches, heart-stopping moments, and the crowning of a deserving champion at the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championships.
Click here for the tournament schedule!
Follow all the action @oceaniarugby on social media for more information.
