Better behaved crowds, honest and open athletes, and a more thrilling game are among the fan observations of women's rugby Toni Bruce has collected over the past month, researching what Rugby World Cups mean to Kiwis.
Like everyone at Eden Park last Saturday, I was gripped by the Black Ferns’ tense semifinal struggle against France. As the crowd rose to its feet, punching the air and twirling poi after the Black Ferns made it through to the Rugby World Cup final, I was struck by the feeling that - at least in that moment - we were celebrating rugby without a gender modifier.
As I wrote in an earlier column, the tension, emotions and national pride were no different from what I’d experienced many other times watching the All Blacks at the fortress of Eden Park.
My observations at 17 live games in Whāngarei and Auckland, and results from my anonymous online survey during the World Cup, suggest that people are celebrating three major differences in the elite women’s game compared to the men’s.
They love the Black Ferns’ style of play, their attitude, and the whānau atmosphere at the venues.
An exciting, open game
A consistent message - including from men who have followed men’s rugby for many years - is their enjoyment of the women’s style of play. So far, over 70 percent of survey respondents rate the women’s game as “really exciting to watch”.
The comments of Kiwiboy, 67, capture this trend: “It is great, open, running rugby, generally played in an excellent sporting spirit, with players obviously enjoying the team component of the game". Another man in his early 60s who attended the semifinals said, “The style is more open than the men and their skillsets are pretty exciting”.
Some have been surprised at the high quality. Their comments reinforce the belief that exposure to women’s rugby can change people’s perspectives. Briarmelle, 65, wrote: “Always thought women should be playing rugby, but didn't realise how exciting a rugby game could be until I watched the women.” A man in his 50s who had attended four live events said “the quality is much more than I was expecting. I guess I am surprised about how exciting and how good the rugby is.”
"Way more exciting than the All Blacks. The girls as individuals & as a team are so professional [and] enthusiastic. It’s so obvious they play for the love & their excitement for every single game is infectious. Their support of each other is heartwarming" - Barb, 54
Many rate the Black Ferns’ ball handling skills, and dynamic running style with few stoppages. For example, Rachel, 45, loves their “really fun and exciting style of play—they go hard and leave everything out there on the field. The passion is palpable. We love it!” I’ve seen the positive crowd reactions to this style at all three stadia in this tournament.
More than a few say the Black Ferns are more enjoyable to watch than the All Blacks, like the man in his 30s at the semifinals who told me, “If I'm being honest, it’s a lot more entertaining and free-flowing than the men’s game”. Martha, 63, describes the women’s game as “better than men’s to watch. More action. Fast and exciting.”
The spirit of the game
The Black Ferns’ attitudes and their honest, authentic responses in post-match interviews are attracting high levels of positivity. Comments about their passion, authenticity, humility, heart, respect for the game, visible joy in playing, and support for each other are common.
For Jim, 87, the attraction is what he sees as “the sheer camraderie and the joy of playing as a family unit.” Snaz, 45, wrote, “Love the attitude the most. They know the rules and simply don’t intentionally break them”. Before the semifinal, Felicity, 39, told me “It’s so empowering. They talk about ‘mana wāhine’: they embody it.”
"More than anything, I like the authenticity of the Black Ferns players. They seem approachable, real and fun. They are people I want to know, support and be associated with" - Lou, 37
The fact that many players are mothers is another layer of their appeal. Snowballz, 49, likes “that most of the woman still hold down fulltime jobs, raise their children and still find time to train and play a sport they love to play.” For Barb, 54, “These women wear their hearts on their sleeve. They are mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties. They are role models that inspire young ones with their culture.”
The willingness of Black Ferns players to be “openly vulnerable” and “human” in interviews is appreciated by many. The desire to stay and hear the post-match interviews was clear at Eden Park on Saturday, where large sections of the crowd stayed on for the Black Ferns players and coach's comments. Kim, 29, is finding people around her “love how genuine the players are in their interviews”. Jill, 23, wrote “I was SO impressed with the Ruby Tui interview from when she cut her face…She spoke really well and the media seemed to be really proud of the girls”.
A friendly, welcoming environment
Fans are also revelling in the positive, family-friendly atmosphere at games. The cheaper tickets have attracted large family groups who couldn’t otherwise attend. Before the semifinal, one family explained the ticket price (as low as $10 an adult and $5 a child) “makes it more accessible” and allowed them to bring seven family members. That included a young rugby-playing niece who they hoped seeing the role models on the field might “show her what she could be” and encourage her to “dream big and make the most of her opportunities”.
Karen, 48, also described the “great family atmosphere that has been created at all the matches. I have loved being able to get my kids involved in the Women's RWC. It has meant a lot for me to see them light up when the Black Ferns are tackling or scoring a try.”
Security personnel are also noticing a big difference in the atmosphere and behaviour at women’s events, with unusually few incidents compared to men’s games. Fans are also recognising this difference. Nic, 48, pointed out: “The whānau vibe at the events was awesome. I’ve attended many men’s Rugby World Cup events over the years and they are often testosterone-loaded with a large number of drunk patrons.”
The whānau feel was particularly evident in Whāngarei where it felt like most of Tai Tokerau had turned out to support the three Black Ferns who hail from Northland. One fan told me, “I think Northland has shown the girls more support than Auckland. The whole crowd turned up.” Family groups of up to three generations were not uncommon.
Fans, especially Māori women, appreciate the way Rugby World Cup organisers have integrated Māori culture. For Barb, 54, “The tribute to Te Ao Maori makes them unique in this world”. Karen, 48, wrote, “How cool it is to bring in the poi and some of our culture to these games, that NZers are respecting and embracing”. There’s little doubt the sight of thousands of poi whirling in celebration will remain an iconic image of this Cup.
As we head to the final this weekend, it may be worth asking yourself what you will remember. What has your experience of the Cup been like? Do you think the women’s game is more exciting than the men’s? Have you - like many of the fans I’ve spoken to and people who have filled out my Rugby World Cup survey - changed your views about women’s rugby?
* If you want to share your experiences of the Rugby World Cup, Toni Bruce has created an anonymous questionnaire as part of her research – focusing on the Cup’s effect on life and interactions with whanau and friends, the importance of rugby to sense of identity, and the media coverage of the event. You can find the questionnaire here.
