2021 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches explained

The 2021 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches were a series of rugby union international test matches played to prepare teams for the 2021 Rugby World Cup, which were held in New Zealand in October and November 2022. They involved the 12 teams qualified for the World Cup, with Spain also included. The 2022 Laurie O'Reilly Cup was contested as part of the fixtures. They were held at a variety of venues from 24 July to 24 September 2022.^[1]

Matches

24 July

Notes:

• Rumandi Potgieter and Monica Mazibukwana (South Africa) made their international debuts.

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20 August

Notes

• Dannah O'Brien, Aoife Dalton, Natasja Behan, Méabh Deely, Taryn Schultzer and Leah Tarpey (Ireland) made their international debuts.^[2]

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See main article: 2022 Laurie O'Reilly Cup.

Notes:

• Awhina Tangen-Wainohu and Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand) and Bree-Anna Cheatham (Australia) made their international debuts.^{[3] [4]}
• With this win New Zealand retained the Laurie O'Reilly Cup

27 August

Notes:

• Grace Steinmetz and Santo Taumata (New Zealand) and Siokapesi Palu and Bienne Terita (Australia) made their international debuts

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Notes:

• Jo Brown and Emma Tilly (Ireland) made their international debuts.
• Brown had previously represented England, but switched international her allegiance to Ireland prior to this match

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3 September

Notes:

• With this win, England women equalled the record for the most consecutive wins by a test rugby team.

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11 September

Notes

• This match was cancelled as a result of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.^[5]

16 September

Notes:

• Alowesi Nakoci was not named in the original matchday squad but went on to feature in the match.

24 September

Notes and References

1. Web site: worldrugby.org . Match officials confirmed for Rugby World Cup 2021 warm-up matches World Rugby . 18 August 2022 . world.rugby.
2. Web site: McWilliams Names Ireland Team To Face Japan In First Test . 24 August 2022 .
3. Web site: Burnes . Campbell . 20 August 2022 . Black Ferns hit the high notes . 20 August 2022 . allblacks.com .
4. Web site: Worthington . Sam . Coach axes ex-captain in 'toughest call' of career . 20 August 2022 . wwos.nine.com.au .
5. Web site: 8 September 2022 . Death of the Queen: Scottish rugby matches called off as a mark of respect . 15 September 2022 . scotsman.com .