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The first Women’s International Defence Rugby Tournament opened today with player Eloise Blackwell winched from a Seasprite helicopter onto the College Rifles pitch to deliver the ball for the first match between France and New Zealand.
Download AudioThe first Women’s International Defence Rugby Tournament opened today with player Eloise Blackwell winched from a Seasprite helicopter onto the College Rifles pitch to deliver the ball for the first match between France and New Zealand.
Management committee head Julie Fitzell says a similar competition for men was run alongside the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Eight nations are represented, including the UK, France, Tonga, Australia, Fiji, a combined Vanuatu-Papua New Guinea team, and the Defence Ferns.
“I don’t want to jinx any players or any teams but we’re looking pretty promising,” Commander Fitzell says.
The Aotearoa team includes some Farah Palmer Cup and super rugby players.
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