NZ in race to host women's World Cup

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) will investigate a joint hosting of the 2014 women's World Cup with Samoa.

New Zealand and Samoa were among four nations to submit interest to host the seventh women's tournament it was announced today, with Kazakhstan and the United States also in contention.

The NZRU has expressed interest as a sole host but has also indicated to the International Rugby Board that it will discuss joint hosting opportunities with Samoa before deciding whether to lodge a bid.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew noted the opportunity to build on New Zealand's hosting of the men's tournament in 2011.

"However, we have been made aware of Samoa's interest in the 2014 tournament and would not want to compete with our Pacific neighbours for the hosting rights given the relationship we have with the Pacific Islands countries and the impact that this tournament could have there," Tew said in a statement.

"As a result, we will explore ways to work with and support Samoa and have communicated that to the Samoan Rugby Union."

The previous hosts of the women's Rugby World Cup are Wales (1991), Scotland (1994), the Netherlands (1998), Spain (2002) and Canada (2006) while England will host next year's tournament.

New Zealand's Black Ferns have won the last three titles.

- NZPA