2006 Women's Rugby World Cup
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup
(officially IRB
Rugby World Cup 2006 Canada and sometimes referred to as the women's world cup) took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002
in Spain
and in the Netherlands
, in 1998
. The Black Ferns
of New Zealand
won the 2006 World Cup, defeating England in the final, as they had in 2002. It was New Zealand's third successive title.
The semi-finals were also direct repeats of the 2002 tournament - in fact five of the top six places in the final rankings were unchanged. Elsewhere the USA advanced from 7th in 2002 to 5th, and Ireland climbed from 13th to 8th while Australia (5th to 7th), Spain (8th to 9th), and Samoa (9th to 10th) slipped down.
The period prior to the competition had not been without controversy. The decision to award the hosting of the competition to Canada
ahead of a strong bid from England
surprised many.
In addition - apart from in Asia - there were no qualifying tournaments for the 2006 World Cup. Instead teams were invited to take part by the IRB with selection based on performances at the World Cup in 2002 and in international matches between 2002 and 2005. This resulted in accusations of a lack of clarity in regard to some selection decisions. In particular the awarding of the final place in the tournament to Samoa
instead of Wales
(following a poor performance by Wales
in the 2005 Six Nations
) was the cause of some controversy and comment prior to the event.
Kazakhstan qualify
or by phone. There were individual and student tickets (for each of six match days), tickets for youth teams and clubs, corporate packages and a special “World Cup Pack” of $125 allowing access to all matches including the finals.
The partners of this tournament were Toyota “Never Quit” Awards Program, Molson
, Tait Radio Communications, Glentel
, Budget, University of Alberta
, Edmonton Airports
and Clubfit.
The event was covered by English language network Global TV, daily newspaper Edmonton Journal
and radio stations CFRN 1260
, CFBR 100.3
and CFMG 104.9
.
All matches were filmed and for the first time were available via streamed media. The final was also broadcast live on TV in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, and a one-hour TV highlights programme was produced by IMG for wider distribution, while these recordings are held as part of the IRB's World Cup archive.
were included in the final list.
REFEREES
TOUCH JUDGES
Classification within each pool was based on the following scoring system:
Bonus points
were awarded for teams scoring 4 tries or more and losing by 7 points or less. No extra time were played.
Teams were ranked 1-12 on the basis of the most match points. If two teams were equal on match points for any position, then the following criteria would be used in this order until one of the teams could be determined as the higher ranked:
If no winner could be determined within the time allowed, two teams should have played an extra time of 10 minutes each way with an interval of 5 and then eventually a kicking competition.
Women's Rugby World Cup
The Women's Rugby World Cup is the premier international competition in rugby union for women. The tournament is organised by the sport's governing body the International Rugby Board...
(officially IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
Rugby World Cup 2006 Canada and sometimes referred to as the women's world cup) took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002
2002 Women's Rugby World Cup
The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, in 1998
1998 Women's Rugby World Cup
The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a...
. The Black Ferns
Black Ferns
The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
won the 2006 World Cup, defeating England in the final, as they had in 2002. It was New Zealand's third successive title.
The semi-finals were also direct repeats of the 2002 tournament - in fact five of the top six places in the final rankings were unchanged. Elsewhere the USA advanced from 7th in 2002 to 5th, and Ireland climbed from 13th to 8th while Australia (5th to 7th), Spain (8th to 9th), and Samoa (9th to 10th) slipped down.
The period prior to the competition had not been without controversy. The decision to award the hosting of the competition to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ahead of a strong bid from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
surprised many.
In addition - apart from in Asia - there were no qualifying tournaments for the 2006 World Cup. Instead teams were invited to take part by the IRB with selection based on performances at the World Cup in 2002 and in international matches between 2002 and 2005. This resulted in accusations of a lack of clarity in regard to some selection decisions. In particular the awarding of the final place in the tournament to Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
instead of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
(following a poor performance by Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in the 2005 Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
) was the cause of some controversy and comment prior to the event.
Asia
Tickets and sponsorship
Tickets had been available since July 2006 and they could be purchased online at TicketmasterTicketmaster
Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. is an independent American ticket sales and distribution company based in West Hollywood, California, USA, with operations in many countries around the world. In 2010 it merged with Live Nation to become Live Nation Entertainment...
or by phone. There were individual and student tickets (for each of six match days), tickets for youth teams and clubs, corporate packages and a special “World Cup Pack” of $125 allowing access to all matches including the finals.
The partners of this tournament were Toyota “Never Quit” Awards Program, Molson
Molson
Molson-Coors Canada Inc. is the Canadian division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Molson Coors Brewing Company. It is the second oldest company in Canada after the Hudson's Bay Company. Molson's first brewery was located on the St...
, Tait Radio Communications, Glentel
Glentel
Glentel is the largest independent mobile phone retailer in Canada. The company has three operating divisions - Canadian Retail, American Retail, and a business division.-Retail Division:...
, Budget, University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, Edmonton Airports
Edmonton Airports
Edmonton Airports, officially the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, was formed in 1990, under the Regional Airports Authorities Act passed by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 1989, and is responsible for the management and operation of four airports in the Edmonton area...
and Clubfit.
The event was covered by English language network Global TV, daily newspaper Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Journal
The Edmonton Journal is a daily newspaper in Edmonton, Alberta. It is part of the Postmedia Network.-History:The Journal was founded in 1903 by three local businessmen — John Macpherson, Arthur Moore and J.W. Cunningham — as a rival to Alberta's first newspaper, the 23-year-old...
and radio stations CFRN 1260
CFRN (AM)
CFRN is a Canadian clear-channel radio station in Edmonton, Alberta. Owned by Astral Media and broadcasting at 1260 kHz on the AM radio dial, the station airs an all-sports format, branded as The Team 1260...
, CFBR 100.3
CFBR-FM
CFBR-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting an active rock format at 100.3 on the FM dial in Edmonton, Alberta. The station uses the brand name 100.3 The Bear....
and CFMG 104.9
CFMG-FM
CFMG-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at FM 104.9 in Edmonton, Alberta. Branded as '1049 Virgin Radio', the station plays a contemporary hit radio format....
.
All matches were filmed and for the first time were available via streamed media. The final was also broadcast live on TV in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, and a one-hour TV highlights programme was produced by IMG for wider distribution, while these recordings are held as part of the IRB's World Cup archive.
Match officials
On July 6, 2006 the IRB Referee Selection Committee announced the appointment of match officials, with twelve women officials selected for the tournament consisting of eight referees and four touch judges. This panel was assisted by experienced international referees George Ayoub, Lyndon Bray, Malcolm Changleng and Simon McDowell, who were appointed in April. Other three touch judges from Canada Rugby UnionRugby Canada
Rugby Canada, is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in Canada. Rugby Canada was incorporated in 1974, and stems from the Canadian Rugby Football Union, a body established in 1884 that now governs amateur Canadian football as Football Canada; and the now-defunct Rugby Union of...
were included in the final list.
REFEREES
George Ayoub (Australia)- Jenny Bental (South Africa)
- Rachel Boyland (Switzerland)
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)- Sarah Corrigan (Australia)
Clare Daniels (England)
Christine Hanizet (France)
Joyce Henry (Canada)- Nicky Inwood (New Zealand)
Kerstin Ljungdahl (Germany)- Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TOUCH JUDGES
- Debbie Innes (England)
- Kristina Mellor (New Zealand)
- Kristi Moorman (Canada)
- Sandy Nesbitt (Canada)
- Kim Smit (South Africa)
Dana Teagarden (United States)- Todd Van Vliet (Canada)
Format
The competition was contested over 18 days between 12 teams, allocated to four pools of three and structured into two parts:- a pool stage, with 18 matches played from August 31 to September 8;
- a knockout stage, divided in semifinals and finals, played from September 12 to 17.
Pool stage
The first three match days saw a cross-pool league system in operation, with Pool A playing Pool D and Pool B playing Pool C, with points going towards one single division table for all four pools.Classification within each pool was based on the following scoring system:
- four points for a win;
- two points for a draw;
- zero points for a loss.
Bonus points
Rugby union bonus points system
The Rugby union bonus points system is a method of deciding table points from a rugby union match. It was implemented in order to encourage attacking play throughout a match, to discourage repetitive goal-kicking, and to reward teams for "coming close" in losing efforts...
were awarded for teams scoring 4 tries or more and losing by 7 points or less. No extra time were played.
Teams were ranked 1-12 on the basis of the most match points. If two teams were equal on match points for any position, then the following criteria would be used in this order until one of the teams could be determined as the higher ranked:
- the winner of the match between the two teams;
- the best differential between points scored for and points scored against;
- the best differential between tries scored for and against;
- the most points scored;
- the most tries scored;
- the toss of a coin.
Knockout stage
After three match days, with each team having played three pool matches, positional semifinals were played with the top four-positioned sides vying to make the Women's Rugby World Cup final and all other sides playing matches in the final two rounds to decide tournament rankings.If no winner could be determined within the time allowed, two teams should have played an extra time of 10 minutes each way with an interval of 5 and then eventually a kicking competition.
Pool A
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 7 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 115 | 4 | |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 97 | 0 |
Pool B
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 16 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2 | 88 | 42 | 6 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2 | 48 | 67 | 5 |
Pool C
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 75 | 37 | 10 | |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 35 | 9 | |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 179 | 0 |
Pool D
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 131 | 71 | 10 | |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 56 | 38 | 10 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 69 | 5 |
Round one
Round two
Round three
Semi-Finals
5th/8th classification play-offs
9th/12th place classification play-offs
7th/8th place play-off
9th/10th place play-off
11th/12th place play-off
5th/6th place play-off
3rd/4th place play-off
World Cup Final
Teams
| Points | Team | Matches | Tries | Conversions | Penalties | Drops |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | 5 | 31 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 156 | 5 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 153 | 5 | 24 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 114 | 5 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 102 | 5 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 87 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 80 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 75 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 72 | Ireland Ireland women's national rugby union team The Ireland rugby union team, represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in rugby union-Squad:Squad for 2011 Women's RBS 6 Nations*Niamh Briggs *Niamh Kavanagh *Lynne Cantwell... |
5 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 67 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 41 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 30 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Top point scorers
| Points | Name | Team | Position | Appearances | Tries | Conversions | Penalties | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Heather Moyse Heather Moyse Heather Moyse is a Canadian athlete, representing Canada in international competition as a bobsledder and rugby union player, and competing at the Canadian intercollegiate level in rugby, soccer and track and field.-Awards:... |
Fullback | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 34 | Emma Jensen | Scrum-half | 5 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | |
| 33 | Valuese Sao Taliu | Fullback | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| 31 | Shelley Rae | Fly-half | 5 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 0 | |
| 30 | Sue Day Sue Day Sue Day is an English female rugby union footballer who plays fullback for London Wasps Ladies and for England.-Career:... |
Centre/Wing | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Maria Gallo | Centre/Wing | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Amiria Marsh | Fullback | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Tobie McGann | Fullback/Fly-half | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 29 | Kelly McCallum Kelly McCallum Kelly McCallum is a London based Canadian artist specializing in taxidermy, metalsmith and jewelry making. -Early Life and Education:... |
Fly-half | 5 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 0 | |
| 27 | Paula Chalmers | Scrum-half | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| 25 | Tricia Brown | Wing | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Catherine Devillers | Wing | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 23 | Pam Kosanke | Centre | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| 21 | Estelle Sartini | Fly-half/Wing | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Top try scorers
| Tries | Name | Team | Position | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Heather Moyse Heather Moyse Heather Moyse is a Canadian athlete, representing Canada in international competition as a bobsledder and rugby union player, and competing at the Canadian intercollegiate level in rugby, soccer and track and field.-Awards:... |
Fullback | 5 | |
| 6 | Sue Day Sue Day Sue Day is an English female rugby union footballer who plays fullback for London Wasps Ladies and for England.-Career:... |
Centre/Wing | 5 | |
| Maria Gallo | Centre/Wing | 5 | ||
| Amiria Marsh | Fullback | 5 | ||
| 5 | Valuese Sao Taliu | Fullback | 5 | |
| Catherine Devillers | Wing | 5 | ||
| Tricia Brown | Wing | 5 | ||
| 4 | Ellie Karvoski | Wing | 5 | |
| Ruan Sims | Centre/Wing | 5 | ||
| 3 | Stephanie Mortimer | Wing | 3 | |
| Claire Richardson | Wing | 4 | ||
| Isabel Rodríguez | Scrum-half | 5 | ||
| Jeannette Feighery | Ireland Ireland women's national rugby union team The Ireland rugby union team, represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in rugby union-Squad:Squad for 2011 Women's RBS 6 Nations*Niamh Briggs *Niamh Kavanagh *Lynne Cantwell... |
Wing | 5 | |
| Delphine Plantet | Number 8 | 5 | ||
| Charlotte Barras | Wing | 5 | ||
| Rochelle Martin | Flanker | 5 | ||
| Melissa Ruscoe Melissa Ruscoe Melissa Ruscoe MNZM is a New Zealand sportswoman who has served as captain of her country's national team in two different football codes—association football and rugby union.... |
Flanker | 5 |