The Women's Rugby World Cup 2023 proved a success both on and off the field, with a breakout star, memorable tries and a semi-final that underlined the sport's rising quality.
Canada's Sophie de Goede was a standout player, impressing with her versatility in rolling mauls, breaks, goal-kicking, lineouts, turnovers and offloads, despite having recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. England's Ellie Kildunne also earned praise for her deceptive speed and composure under pressure.
The semi-final between New Zealand and Canada was described as the best match, with Canada's 34-19 victory blowing the world champions away. The pace of Canada's game was unmatched, with Justine Pelletier phenomenal. The best try came from Fiji's Kolora Lomani against Canada, a sumptuous score involving almost the entire Fiji team. Kildunne's tries in the knockout phase were also highly commended.
Eighteen-year-old Black Fern Braxton Sorensen-McGee was the breakout star, scoring 11 tries, just two fewer than the single-tournament record. She was quick, predatory and a useful goalkicker. Unsung heroes included England prop Hannah Botterman, Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm, and Samoa's head coach, Ramsey Tomokino, who had paid team expenses out of his own pocket.
Favourite moments included teams dancing together after matches, and South Africa's first-half performance against New Zealand. The tournament was widely seen as a turning point for women's rugby, with momentum that organisers hope will lead to increased investment and more competitive sides by 2029.
