On 1 September, the Twickenham Stoop is set to welcome the four
semi finalists from Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, as the 17-day
tournament reaches the business end.
For Australia, England, France and New Zealand the semi
finals means a relocation of venue, from the Surrey Sports Park
where all the pool matches have been played to the Twickenham
Stoop, which will also host the final on 5 September.
The Surrey Sports Park has sold out on each of the three
match days so far, but with a capacity crowd of 14,200, the semi
finals are set to reach new levels at the home of English
Premiership side Harlequins, according to their Director of Rugby
Conor O'Shea.
"They have sold out on every day (at Surrey Sports Park)
and it looks as if it could be a sell out for the finals at The
Stoop," said the former Ireland international.
"The Stoop will provide a great atmosphere with all the
pockets of supporters coming out of the woodwork with a family sort
of buzz too and feeling like 80,000 for the players.
"I think everyone has put on a great show so far at
Surrey Sports Park and we hope the semis and final at The Stoop
will continue that way."
World Cup buzz
Defending champions New Zealand play France at
18:00 local time before hosts England face Australia at 20:15 - the
Wallaroos having dramatically claimed the fourth semi final spot in
the last minute of their 62-0 victory over South Africa on 28
August.
Sharni Williams' decisive try, which knocked Canada out
of the semi finals and put Australia through to face England, was
just one of the many highights of this year's tournament, but
O'Shea has not been surprised by the level of competition on
show.
"There is a buzz to see the World Cup down here. I think
our guys have been slightly taken aback by the physicality,"
added the 39-year-old.
"The Women's Game is just growing and it is just
great to watch. I am not surprised by the skill level because I
know the effort these girls put in, it is a growing game and you
can see why. I shudder watching the men's game, but I shudder
watching the women's games just as much.
"It is fabulous and what you see in the Women's Game
is a willingness to play with the ball in hand which is refreshing.
But when it does come to contact they don't shy away from it.
"It has been an eye opener to watch live and also seeing
the Black Ferns team run would have been educational for any squad
to watch. It was really slick and professional."
Proud Ireland
Having seen Ireland's 27-0 defeat to England in
the opening pool match on television, O'Shea watched their
22-12 victory over USA, another highlight of this year's
tournament, from the stands.
Following their 37-3 victory over Kazakhstan in their final
pool match, Ireland are seeded sixth and now face a rematch against
USA in the fifth place semi final.
Having finished eighth at WRWC 2006, a second victory over
Kathy Flores' side this year will guarantee a higher finish and
O'Shea believes they are capable of doing so.
"Irish teams, the more they stay together the better
they become. This an opportunity the girls don't often get to
spend this length of time together and those are the teams, with
that sort of ability, to get better throughout the tournament, so I
would expect them to do just that.
"I watched their first game on TV before watching them
live against USA. USA were incredibly powerful but they tackled
their hearts out and played some great rugby - it made me really
proud.
"The girls were absolutely magnificent. In defence they
were heroic - the Americans were physically so strong and athletic.
But it has been inspiring and whatever happens they have done
everyone proud."
You can watch highlights of Ireland's match with USA and a preview to the WRWC semi finals at www.rwcwomens.com/video.
