WWC 2023 Preview: New Zealand — Are You Ready For Take Off?

The page that opens the magazine’s World Cup preview, setting out a route through all eight groups with interviews from across the 32 competing nations before a pundit round-table at the end. It shares space with the Group A profile of co-hosts New Zealand, who open the tournament against Norway at Eden Park in Auckland and are still seeking a first win at a World Cup in their sixth appearance. Jitka Klimkova’s 2022 results hinted at progress, but 2023 has brought a run of defeats. The returns of Ria Percival and Rebekah Stott add to the experience of Erin Nayler, Katie Bowen, Betsy Hassett and captain Ali Riley, though goals remain elusive and Hannah Wilkinson needs better service.