Northland rugby fans are in for a treat with all the world's major rugby nations set to play games in Whangārei during September's Women's Rugby World Cup, with the city hosting the tournament's opening game.
The schedule for the Women's Rugby World Cup was released this morning, with Whangārei set to host every team playing in the 12-strong competition, including reigning World Cup holders the Black Ferns, England, Australia, South Africa and France.
With a number of Northlanders competing to get in the Black Ferns squad, including Portia Woodman, Leilani Perese, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Aroha Savage, Eloise Blackwell, Krystal Murray, Jay Jay Taylor and Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, there is expected to be huge interest in the team's game.
The Black Ferns are scheduled to play a yet-to-qualify team at Northland Events Centre on September 28.
The games are expected to bring thousands of people into Northland, and a huge financial fillip for the region.