Having spent over a decade analyzing international sports tournaments, I've always found women's rugby to possess this raw, untamed energy that's completely different from its male counterpart. When I first heard that famous basketball quote "It is what it is. Ganyan talaga ang basketball," it struck me how perfectly this mindset applies to women's rugby - there's this beautiful acceptance of the game's inherent physicality and unpredictability that makes every World Cup tournament uniquely compelling. The women's game doesn't try to be anything other than what it is, and that authenticity has driven its remarkable growth since the inaugural 1991 tournament.
I vividly remember watching the 1994 final where England defeated the United States 38-23 in front of just 3,000 spectators - a far cry from the 42,579 fans that packed Eden Park for the 2022 final. The growth has been nothing short of phenomenal, with participation numbers increasing by approximately 287% globally since 2013. What fascinates me most is how the sport maintains its core identity while evolving technically. The current New Zealand squad, for instance, demonstrates this perfect balance between traditional physical rugby and modern tactical sophistication. Their 34-31 victory over England in that epic 2022 final showcased everything I love about the game - relentless intensity combined with strategic brilliance.
Looking ahead, I'm particularly excited about the rising challengers. France's women have been building something special, and I'd put good money on them reaching at least the semifinals in the next two tournaments. Their development pathway has produced what I consider the most technically gifted forward pack in women's rugby today. Meanwhile, England's Red Roses continue to set the standard for professional preparation, though I must admit I've always been slightly critical of their over-reliance on set-piece dominance. The real dark horse, in my opinion, is Canada - their sevens success is starting to translate to the fifteens game, and I predict they'll cause at least one major upset in the 2025 tournament.
The future broadcasting rights alone tell an exciting story - World Rugby projects that viewership for the 2025 World Cup will surpass 85 million globally, which would represent a 40% increase from 2022. But beyond the numbers, what truly excites me is the cultural shift we're witnessing. The women's game is developing its own distinct identity rather than simply mimicking the men's approach. You see this in the way teams like New Zealand and France play - there's more creativity, more risk-taking, and frankly, more entertaining rugby than we often see in the men's tournaments.
Having attended seven World Cups across both genders, I can confidently say the women's tournament delivers the purest rugby experience today. The commercial side hasn't yet overwhelmed the sport's soul, and the players still play with that visible joy that sometimes feels missing from the highly corporate men's game. My prediction? We're about to enter the most competitive era in women's rugby history, with at least six genuine contenders for the 2025 title. The game is indeed what it is - and what it's becoming is absolutely spectacular.