Following Tonga’s withdrawal from the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2019 on health grounds, World Rugby has announced a revised Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification process.
Tonga withdrew from the tournament under the instruction from government with consultation from the World Health Organisation, due to the measles outbreak.
To provide Tonga with an opportunity to qualify for the next World Cup, World Rugby has allowed the side to face the third placed team for a play-off next year.
The winner of that match will play against the second-placed team to decide who will compete in the repechage tournament.
The Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship will confirm the best placed team who will qualify directly for Rugby World Cup 2021.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will be hosted in New Zealand.
