Long-time sports presenter Bernadine Oliver-Kerby has been keeping her eye on the ball in the build up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup which kicks off in New Zealand this week.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following the Six Nations (won by the English Roses for the 18th time) and England and France are the teams to beat,” says Oliver-Kerby who was in the studio for the 2017 Rugby World Cup final when the Black Ferns beat England.
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She is co-hosting Three’s Cup coverage with Scotty Stevenson. The pair are supported by panellists – former rugby internationals – Kristina Sue and Sene Naoupu and sports reporter Narelle Sindos. Rugby fan Brodie Kane will be in the crowd talking to fans.
Twelve teams are in the competition, representing Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, the USA, Wales and, of course, New Zealand.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the absolute best in the world in women’s rugby congregate right here in New Zealand to showcase the incredible calibre of women’s rugby,” Oliver-Kerby says, adding that women’s rugby has grown hugely since the first Cup was played in Wales in 1991.
“The participant numbers in the women’s game are hugely encouraging and competitions, like Super Rugby Aupiki, are a brilliant way to celebrate and showcase incredible talent,” she says.
“The advent of professional and semi-professional contracts for teams like New Zealand, England and France is hugely encouraging but there’s plenty of work still to be done.”
A life-long sports fan – as a child she used to tune into late-night rugby and cricket matches on her transistor radio – Oliver-Kerby believes pandemic-weary Kiwis will be delighted to have such a big international event happening in their own backyard.
“We are a sports-mad nation and Kiwis are gold medallists in supporting their teams.
“The fact that a World Cup is on our own doorstep is a timely bonus when we’re ready to celebrate the world coming to visit us.”
Spark Sport is the official broadcaster of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022 and will screen all 26 matches live.
Three is Spark Sport’s free-to-air partner and will screen eight Cup matches, including delayed coverage of all New Zealand’s pool games and two quarterfinals, as well as live coverage of both semifinals and final.
Pool A – Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales
Pool B – Canada, Italy, Japan, USA
Pool C – England, Fiji, France, South Africa
* The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals, along with the two best third-placed teams.
New Zealand’s matches and playoffs
v Australia at Eden Park, Auckland
(Saturday, October 8 at 7.15pm)
v Wales at Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
(Sunday, October, 16 at 3.15pm)
v Scotland at Northland Events Centre, Whangrei
(Saturday, October 22 at 4.45pm)
Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 29 (4.30pm and 7.30pm) at Northland Events Centre, Whangrei and Sunday, October 30 (1.30pm and 4.30pm) at Waitakere Stadium. Auckland
Semifinals – Saturday, November 5 (4.30pm and 7.30pm) at Eden Park
Bronze match and final – Saturday, November 12 (4.30pm and 7.30pm) at Eden Park.
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