Sport Rugby league Website www.rlwc2017.com Most titles New Zealand (3 titles) | Region International (RLIF) Number of teams 8 Instituted 2000 | |
Broadcast partner Fox Sports, Nine Network, 7mate Holders Australia (2013, 1st title) | ||
The Women's Rugby League World Cup is an international Rugby league tournament for women to determine the best Rugby League playing nation in the world. It was first held in 2000 in Great Britain coinciding with the men's Rugby League World Cup. In 2008, it was contested in Australia as part of the Festival of World Cups.
In the 2005 World Cup tournament in New Zealand, teams from Australia, Great Britain, Tokelau, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, New Zealand Maori and New Zealand competed for the title which was eventually taken out by the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns. New Zealand went through the tournament unbeaten with only four points against.
In the 2008 World Cup tournament, in Australia, teams from, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Samoa, Tonga, Pacific Islands, France and Russia participate in the tournament. At the completion of the 2008 World Cup the next official tournament will be held in 2013 and then held every four years after.
New Zealand won the 2008 World Cup defeating Australia 34 - nil at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane.
New Zealand have won the Women's Rugby League World Cup in 2000, 2005 and 2008 competitions.
Australia won the 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup beating the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns 22 - 12 in the final.
History
Women's Rugby League had been played in both Oceania and the United Kingdom for several years but it was not until 1985 in Britain and 1993 in Australia and New Zealand where female only organizations and governing bodies were established and while the Rugby Football League recognized the British women in 1985 it took another five years for the Australian Rugby League to officially recognize the Australian Women's Rugby League. New Zealand Women's Rugby League were officially recognized by the governing body New Zealand Rugby League Inc in 1995. This is partially the reason for no Women's World Cup being held until the year 2000 when these organizations collectively came together to organize it.