Fans show their support for the Black Ferns, Whangarei, 2022. Photo: photosport
New Zealand Rugby admits it failed to forsee a clash of schedules between the Black Ferns and the All Blacks.
The Black Ferns World Cup quarter final against Wales in Whangārei on Saturday, kicks off at 7.30pm, while the All Blacks test against Japan in Tokyo kicks off 40 minutes earlier, meaning rugby fans will have to pick one match over the other to watch.
In a statement NZR said while "Japan Rugby set the kick-off time for the All Blacks Test, NZR did not take into account the Rugby World Cup stipulation that the host nation would play in the Quarterfinal 2 timeslot regardless of pool results and may inadvertently cause a clash."
NZR said it tried to get the All Blacks kick off time changed but Japan Rugby declined.
"There was never an intent to overshadow the Rugby World Cup in any way," the statement added.
- RNZ
