Ireland Women's Rugby Upsets New Zealand Champions

Ireland's women’s rugby team has achieved a significant milestone by defeating world champions New Zealand 29-27 in their WXV1 opener in Vancouver, thanks to a last-minute try by Erin King and a crucial conversion by Dannah O’Brien. This victory marks a dramatic improvement under head coach Scott Bemand, who took over when the team was ranked 10th and has now propelled them to 6th in the world rankings. Ireland is set to face Canada next, who have recently moved up to second in the world rankings after defeating France. This win, coupled with their third-place finish in the 2024 Six Nations and a recent victory over Australia, signals a resurgence in Irish women’s rugby. Bemand emphasized the importance of this victory as a confidence booster but urged the team to keep focused on their upcoming matches. The team’s improvement is attributed to the arrival of new coaching staff and a stronger set piece and unit connections.