Sunday Social: Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off and Wayne Barnes set to create history

Dylan Coetzee
Sunday Social Oct 9

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Toulon flyer Cheslin Kolbe scores within two minutes of his return from injury. Is the rugby world ready for a scrum-capless Kolbe?

North Harbour’s Tevita Li is in sizzling form leading try-scoring charts by FIVE tries. Is your back sore yet, Tevita?

Certainly, not one for the faint-hearted. Austin Healy shows off his train tracks following his knee replacement!

READ MORE: Women’s Rugby World Cup: Wales edge Scotland in thriller while Canada and Italy win