Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood is anticipating that the Women's Rugby World Cup, which kicks off at Surrey Sports Park on Friday, will be the pinnacle of many of the players' careers.
The 17-day tournament features the world's best women
players from around the world and having participated in a Rugby
World Cup winning side himself, knows what it is like to
participate in an event like this.
"It is great to see all the women ready for what for
them is the biggest moment in their careers. For athletics it is
the Olympics, for cricket it is the Ashes, for men's rugby it
is the World Cup and for Women's Rugby it is this," said
Greenwood.
"This is it, this is the pinnacle, and they are all
looking in tremendous physical condition. There is always time to
make the right decisions and you must have total faith in each
other, total faith in your coach and trust your fitness to
suceed.
"You have worked hard to get here, it is in the tank, so leave nothing in the changing room. But most of all when you are walking out of the tunnel, have a smile on your face because it is about fun and enjoyment."
Greenwood retired from international rugby in 2006 before moving
into an analyst role with Sky Sports and he is part of their team
for the 13 WRWC matches shown live, along with host Alex Payne,
fellow analyst Tyrone Howe and commentators Will Chignell, Johnie
Hammond and Martin Gillingham.
Tournament exposure to benefit Game
In addition to the host broadcaster, broadcasters from five continents including North America, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa have also committed to show live matches in their territory. Matches will also be streamed live on www.rwcwomens.com, with the exception of the UK and Ireland where fans can watch live at Skysports.com or on demand 24 hours after the match on rwcwomens.com.
Speaking at the tournament launch at City Hall in London on
Tuesday, the former England international believes this exposure is
a huge boost for the Game and is encouraging people to show their
support.
"I think what all sports want is eyeballs and
recognition and for Sky to broadcast virtually every single game
that is taking place and to be right there when the action happens
is huge for the sport.
"The RFU have worked very closely across the world, and
the IRB too, clearly, to spread the game at grassroots and at
women's level and they are doing a fantastic job.
"I have to say I am glad I have a microphone and am not
out there because I trained with three or four of the England team
last year and they came and smashed me in the tackle!
"It has become a fantastic sport to watch. The ball is
alive for so long, it is a real alternative for girls who like
sports and like all action to get involved. If you haven't had
a chance to see it, come down to Guildford, come down to The Stoop
or turn on and watch, you will have a cracking time."
Kiwis the team to beat
Greenwood got his RWC winners' medal in 2003 in Australia, and was vastly unaware as to the impact it had in England until he returned and is hoping for a similar reaction should the English women achieve a similar feat.
England begin their campaign against Ireland on Friday, before matches with Kazakhstan on 24 August and USA four days later, and while there are added pressures as a host nation, the 37-year-old believes the England girls have what it takes to win the competition, and should savour a once in a lifetime opportunity as hosts.
"It is huge. The boys have got the honour in 2015, but the women have it first. There is something remarkably special about pulling on your national jersey on home soil, and to have that opportunity in a World Cup is even bigger," added the former British & Irish Lion.
"To host the tournament and to bring all the countries who
enjoy your sport from around the world together, to look after
them, but to not look after them on the pitch and try and win it
and to do it in front of your home fans is something else.
"Back in 2003 we never quite understood what was going
on back home until we landed and we understood the rush the
supporters had and the enjoyment that it brings to so many people
that only sport can do.
"Our girls go into the tournament as second seeds and clearly the Kiwis are on the horizon and are always the team to beat but there are so many cracking teams and it is going to be a wonderful tournament."
