Rugby World Cup champions look forward to an enduring legacy
Two Exeter Chiefs women’s players can now call themselves Rugby World Cup champions following the Red Roses’ 33-13 win over Canada.
Back-row Maddie Feaunati and winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald both collected their medals in a landmark moment in women’s rugby watched by a record-breaking crowd of nearly 82,000 at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Meanwhile, the final also broke TV records with 5.8 million viewers tuning into the BBC’s coverage. The final not only marked the most-watched women’s rugby union match ever on UK television but also became the most-watched rugby match of the year.
Despite an early try from Canada and 10 tense minutes when the Red Roses were down to 14 players, it was a dominant England performance against the world’s number two team. A stunning try reply from Ellie Kildunne was followed up with score from Ali Colayne, Alex Mathews and Abbie Ward to seal the win.
A champions’ party followed yesterday at Battersea Power Station but as the celebrations begin to abate, attention will turn to the legacy of this tournament.
Moloney-MacDonald said: “England have been leading the way in the women’s game in terms of professionalism and growth. The rugby community and Red Roses fans have been instrumental in that. I think was a way of the sport repaying their commitment to the women’s game, to bring a World Cup to our doorstep: the biggest spectacle in our sport for English fans to enjoy.
“I hope they [fans] truly saw the sport, saw all the incredible women playing it across the world, the excitement of watching it, the strength and power of the players, the respect toward opposition, the skill of the referees, the breadth of the support staff. I just hope they were excited by it and see something they can dream and work to be a part of.”
Feaunati, who came on in the 70th minute of the final, said: “I hope everyone changes their view of women’s rugby. Rugby is rugby. Rugby is there for everyone. I just hope everyone enjoys our game and respects it.”
She added: “At Chiefs, we have a great fanbase, but it would be really cool to see more fans come to the PWR games. Our PWR fans are super-fans and we love them!”
Moloney-MacDonald shared the sentiment!
She said: “I’ll see you at Sandy Park for a Chiefs game! Bring your loudest voice, bring your mates, you’ll have a great day out, and hopefully watch us win!”
Fans, brand new or already established, can see Exeter Chiefs Women in action at their first home PWR game against Gloucester-Hartpury on Saturday, 1 November (KO 15:00). Fans who want to become a regular supporter, a season ticket is just £80 for adults and £36 for youths and children. Men’s season ticket holders get the women’s games as part of their package.
Chiefs Women provided 12 internationals across six of the 16 teams in the Rugby World Cup. Aside from Feaunati and Moloney-MacDonald, winger/full-back Francesca Granzotto from Italy and fellow new signing prop Amy Rule from the Black Ferns got their first taste of rugby at Sandy Park.
Gabby Cantorna and Hope Rogers continued their service to the USA Eagles while fans witnessed a second World Cup for Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and first tournament outings for Nancy McGillivray and Edel ‘Tricky McMahon.
Lastly, Chiefs fans had conflicted loyalties watching three finalists for Canada: captain Alex Tessier, prop DaLeaka Menin and hooker Emily Tuttosi.
After the final on Saturday, Tessier said: “Hats off to our girls, I think they’ve done a tremendous job throughout the tournament. I’m very proud. We all believed we could do the job, and it just didn’t go our way.”
The Rugby World Cup doesn't end with the final. You're invited to an evening with seven of our Chiefs World Cup stars on Wednesday 15th October. Hear behind the scenes stories, a reflection of their journeys, and what it feels like to play in front of nearly 82,000 people on the world stage.
