Eden Park is buzzing as a sell-out crowd makes it's way to watch the Black Ferns take on England in the Women's Rugby World Cup Final. Video / NZ Herald
The sun is shining and the drinks are flowing as fans gather in bars near Auckland’s Eden Park ahead of tonight’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
The Black Ferns take on England from 7.30pm, following the bronze medal match between Canada and France at 4.30pm.
Two-time champions England are firm favourites to lift the trophy, while reigning and five-time world champions New Zealand will have the home advantage at a sold-out Eden Park.
England will be hoping to stretch their world-record winning streak to 31 tests and avenge their 41-32 loss to New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup final.
But the 50,000-capacity ground in suburban Auckland is also home to a long list of Kiwi sporting achievements, including two All Black Rugby World Cup wins in the men’s competition.
Fans outside Eden Park ahead of the Rugby World Cup final, November 12, 2022.
Talei Kidd, left, with Daniel Thompson and a friend at the Kingslander pub near Eden Park. Kidd is going to tonight’s final to support her friend, Black Fern Kennedy Simon. Photo / Jed Bradley
At The Beer Spot in nearby New North Rd, crowds were already beginning to build more than three hours before kick-off.
“It’s pretty busy”, a staff member told the Herald.
“Busier than usual … there’s a few kicking around in the team strip, but we’re expecting a bigger crowd of fans later on.”
Those heading for the park can expect much-improved weather conditions compared to yesterday’s wind and rain, with light northwesterlies and just the chance of a shower forecast for Eden Park this evening.
After a warm day with highs up to 25C in Auckland, the temperature is expected to be around a mild 18C by kick-off, according to MetService.
For those following from the bar or the couch, nzherald.co.nz will be live blogging the test.
The match is also streaming live on Spark Sport and free-to-air on Three.
Fans in Citizen Park ahead of the Rugby World Cup final.
William Koopu, uncle of Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant, is expecting a home side win in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park tonight. Photo / Jed Bradley
Kiwi Talei Kidd and her British friend, Daniel Thompson, are among those at a packed Kingslander pub before kick off.
Kidd is particularly keen to cheer on her friend and Black Fern Kennedy Simon, and to celebrate women’s rugby.
“It’s been a longtime coming. I think we’ve been swept under the rug, so it’s good to get some spotlight on women’s rugby.”
William Koopu is going to the game to watch his niece, co-captain Ruahei Demant.
He’s confident of a win.
“They will put it all out there, and we’ll be proud of them no matter what”, Koopu said.
The team was getting some “well deserved” attention, but he was disappointed other sports had “interfered” with the tournament by scheduling games that clashed with it.
“The girls deserved their own platform.”
NZ-based Brit Antony Childs is off to his first women’s rugby game - the Women’s Rugby World Cup final - at Eden Park tonight. Photo/ Jed Bradley
Fans are filtering into Eden Park ahead of the bronze medal Rugby World Cup match between France and Canada.
Juanita Tawhai-Kereopa came from Perth to see the Black Ferns take on England in tonight’s Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Jed Bradley
New Zealand-based Brit Antony Childs is heading to Eden Park to watch his first women’s rugby match.
”I started watching women’s football a few years ago, but this is my first women’s rugby game.”
Despite being a newbie to the women’s game he was confident England’s 31-match winning streak would go unchallenged.
”I think New Zealand, they’ll put up a decent show, but it’s gonna be England.”
Bella Monday, 8, plays Rippa Rugby for Mt Roskill-based clubs Suburbs but tonight is on a big night out to see her heroines the Black Ferns and, especially, her favourite player, Ruby Tui.
“I like her hair”, Bella said of the splash of red in the fan-favourite’s hair.
Joining Bella is her parents Sarah and Mark, and 7-year-old sister Georgia.
The whole family were able to go because the matches are “reasonably priced”, Sarah Monday said.
”And we want to show the girls that women’s rugby is something to be celebrated.”
Ryan Kimi-Cross was on his way to the game with his daughter Harper, 7, and fellow dads and daughters.
They were looking forward to the excitement and atmosphere.
”And even, being fathers and daughters, [showing our children] that rugby is not just a male sport, that women can do it too.”
Juanita Tawhai-Kereopa came all the way from Perth to support the side that’s lighting the path for young women rugby players, like two of her six kids.
”My daughters … one day they’re going to be wearing that jersey.[The Black Ferns] give all of our girls a future, something to look forward to.”
Friends, dads and daughters, from back left, Gazza Ralli, David Ross, Dani Ross, Soph Soph Ross, Ryan Kimo-Cross and from front-left, Indiana Hunt, Manaia Hunt, 6, and Harper Kimi-Cross, 7. Photo / Cherie Howie
Fans outside Eden Park ahead of the Rugby World Cup final, November 12, 2022.
Rugby fans at the Kingslander bar. Photo / Jed Bradley
