Tending to Geekiness

The third day of the Women’s Rugby World Cup starts today. If you have photos from any of the days, please add them to this flickr group.

Format
It takes place over five days. Day 1 took place on Friday 20th August. Day 2 was Tuesday 24th August, Day 3 is a today. These are the pool games and are all played at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. Following that, on the 1st September is the semi final, and the final is on the 5th September. These games are played at the Stoop (with playoffs at Guildford).

Pools

Results So Far

Tables

Fixtures today

Coverage

• The tournament will be on Sky Sports (I’ll be watching it in person!), and later will be online. Some matches will be streamed line today.
• Tickets for the semi finals and finals can be printed off at home. Note that tickets for Day 3 have already sold out
• The Tournament Twitter feed is here
• Scrumqueens will likely have updates

Day 1 was a little drizzly, and parking was difficult. I had to park in the University pay and display (over six quid!).

Day 2 was done by train and bike. This was cheaper, and my return to the main station was very fast.

Monica will be with me today, so we’ll probably use the car.

I’ve really enjoyed the first two days – it’s been a great atmosphere. I kept finding myself chatting to the ever-present representatives from the DC Furies – the media loved these gals, especially when USA were playing. One of my favourite memories from Day 2 was the Furies, realising the USA were behind started to chant ‘Yes we can!’, and the Irish contingent launched into ‘Bob the Builder!’.

The Furies won’t be there on Saturday as they’re returning to the states for the first fixture of the season (though their website needs updating!) – good luck to them.

The weather was very changeable, going from rain (never too heavy) to clear blue skies.

My plan for the day

• The opening game is played for honour, neither Scotland or Sweden have a hope of progressing. I’ll probably miss this as I’ve a commitment until 1pm elsewhere.
• In New Zealand vs. Wales, New Zealand should dominate, they only need a losing bonus to be sure to finish top of their group – and they’ve shown no sign of doing anything less than be dominant. I expect them to win, with a four try bonus.
• France vs Canada is much more interesting and will be the game I prioritise. If the TV companies are doing more than look at the names, I would hope that they’ll ask the tournament organisers to swap this pitch 2 game with the New Zealand game on pitch 1 – all the cameras are set up for pitch 1. The winner of this game will take pool C. Ireland and USA supporters will be supporting Canada.
• Australia vs. South Africa is likely to be of academic interest as far as the pool winner is concerned, but the highest scoring second place side qualifies, so Ireland and USA will both be hoping for a decisive South African victory
• Ireland vs. Kazakhstan should be a high scoring game for Ireland, and they’ll need it to be if they are to qualify – they will be relying on other games to get through. I’ll watch a little of the Australia game, and then transfer to this.
• England vs. USA should be a belter. England just need to get a losing bonus, and USA need to totally dominate with a four try win, and deny England the losing bonus. It should be an English victory, but ‘just need a losing bonus’ are dangerous words! In the worst case scenario for England, if the USA do pull it off, then England could still qualify if France loses to Canada, if Australia doesn’t dominate South Africa and if Kazakhstan don’t let Ireland run away with it. Of course, as the only game on at the time, this’ll be what’s watched.

It should be a good day, but for the most part, the pools are decided – though there is always the chance of an upset. I expect that New Zealand, Canada, England, and probably France will qualify (that last one is least certain) – but even New Zealand cannot be 100% sure of this (though admittedly the Ferns having a meltdown would be a shock).