Sunday Social: Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off and Wayne Barnes set to create history
It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup kicked off this weekend in New Zealand. Here is the host’s spine-tingling haka in front of a sell-out Eden Park crowd. The biggest attendance for a women’s sporting event in New Zealand’s history.
A haka on home soil in front of a record-breaking crowd
What a moment for the @BlackFerns at Eden Park pic.twitter.com/Tlb0ymcQgD
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2022
Passion certainly is not short from Black Ferns star Ruby Tui. Amazing to see the bursting pride over filling up Eden Park in their World Cup opener.
What a performance in front of a home crowd by the @mastercard #POTM, @rubytui 🇳🇿
This is what it means to her 🔥#RWC2021 | #AUSvNZL | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/bWrXcy9AVq
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2022
England coach Simon Middleton side-steps admitting his side could be the favourites after the Red Roses dismantled Fiji to start their World Cup campaign.
Simon Middleton isn't falling for that one…!@EnglandRugby | #FIJvENG | #RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/ClPTiW3zqs
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2022
This is what rugby is all about. Here is young Ella up in the early hours of the morning to get behind her heroes in the England team. Special moment.
𝗔 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 🌹
Young #RedRoses fan Ella up at 4am to watch her heroes in action at the @rugbyworldcup 👏#TeamDream | #RedRoses pic.twitter.com/8NPUruSsLZ
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 8, 2022
Wales‘ Keira Bevan with nerves of steel to kick her side to a narrow win against Scotland in their World Cup opener. Look at what it means to those fans!
The moment @keirabevan14 sent the Welsh fans wild 🙌#RWC2021 | #WALvSCO | @WelshRugbyUnion pic.twitter.com/STima9ZcKs
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 9, 2022
South Africa‘s women got into the spirit before they began their World Cup campaign. Lovely to see how song and dance can unite a team from diverse backgrounds.
The vibes in the team camp are outstanding! 👌
The @WomenBoks bring the party atmosphere to #RWC2021 in #Rituals! pic.twitter.com/hGqPhNXzBM
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2022
A legend of the game and a master of the whistle. Wayne Barnes will become the most capped Test referee in November, surpassing the great Nigel Owens. Congratulations Wayne.
Though it’s 16 years since I first blew my whistle in Suva between Fiji and Samoa for my first international, I’m still as excited as ever to be on the pitch with the best players in the world. Cardiff and Marseille. It doesn’t get much better! https://t.co/7AIzkY3BUO
— Wayne Barnes (@WayneBarnesRef) October 6, 2022
What a post, and what a win. Man-of-the-match Finlay Bealham standing before his Connacht team like a warlord who has conquered new ground after their win over Munster. Exceptional stuff.
“Are you not entertained?” pic.twitter.com/pEni2ZwYgY
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) October 8, 2022
Toulon flyer Cheslin Kolbe scores within two minutes of his return from injury. Is the rugby world ready for a scrum-capless Kolbe?
#TOP14 – Le come-back de cette J6
Il était attendu et il n'a pas déçu 🔙 @CheslinKolbe a fait son grand retour dans son jardin du stade Mayol et il lui a suffi de deux minutes pour reprendre ses marques 👣 avec un essai dont il a le secret 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aOfIXj3rcI
— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) October 8, 2022
North Harbour’s Tevita Li is in sizzling form leading try-scoring charts by FIVE tries. Is your back sore yet, Tevita?
He’s done it again. pic.twitter.com/EavhI5VglU
— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) October 7, 2022
Certainly, not one for the faint-hearted. Austin Healy shows off his train tracks following his knee replacement!
Hope you’ve finished your breakfast pic.twitter.com/JaMIiQNQfF
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) October 6, 2022
READ MORE: Women’s Rugby World Cup: Wales edge Scotland in thriller while Canada and Italy win