Just one All Black WAG on Rugby World Cup glamour list

Dan Carter and his wife Honor Dillon. Photo / Getty Images

Ahead of the Rugby World Cup the popular UK press has worked itself into a lather about the WAGs.

The Daily Mail has published a list of the most glamorous wives and girlfriends that are set to light up the Rugby World Cup.

On it are a classical singer, a fitness guru and a former Miss Universe, and just one Kiwi - Dan Carter's wife, Honor Dillon.

The Mail describes Dillon in gushing terms: She's a "beautiful wife" and a "sportswoman to be reckoned with in her own right".

There's no mention of Richie McCaw's girlfriend Gemma Flynn, Jerome Kaino's wife Diana Kaino or any of the other partners set to travel to England.

But at least they escape the extravagant descriptions afforded to partners of players from other nations.

Here's a sample:

The increasingly glamorous gathering of girls surrounding the England squad has raised eyebrows thanks to the potentially distracting effect their presence could have.
Among them is classical singer Camilla Kerslake, 27, the pretty blonde girlfriend of captain Chris Robshaw, 29.

Miss Kerslake, who was one of the first signings to Gary Barlow's record label, is famous for her candid approach to social media, not least in the photos she shares.

Classical singer Camilla Kerslake, the partner of England captain Chris Robshaw.

One, a snap of her wearing a negligee while putting a chicken in the oven, went viral - although the 27-year-old says she wasn't expecting anyone to pay it any attention.

Another striking WAG is Jess Redden, the 21-year-old girlfriend of Ireland rugby star Rob Kearney, 29.

Miss Redden follows in the footsteps of another very glamorous women - actress Susie Amy, 34, who dated the hunk for three years before splitting in 2012.

And Australia gets this treatment:

Australian fly-half Quade Cooper is another rugby star famous for sporty girlfriends, although swimmer Stephanie Rice didn't last long before being dumped for businesswoman Amelia Gorrie.

Mr Cooper, 26, went on to split from Miss Gorrie earlier this year and is now thought to be in a relationship with 27-year-old bikini model and TV personality, Laura Dundovic.

Earlier this year, Miss Dundovic took part in the Australian version of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here which, unlike the UK show, is filmed in South Africa.

The list's appearance follows upset in Australia over the WAGs that accompanied the Australian cricket team during the recent Ashes tour.

Many in Australia blamed tension between the players' partners for the team's failure to return with the Ashes.

The claims include ructions between the respective partners of senior players that spilled into strained relationships within the dressing room.

The All Blacks' partners are being encouraged to accompany the side to England. Part of the reason the players' families are able to go on tour is to provide some normality in the players' lives.

"A lot of thought goes into planning the year around the players and the players' group and how they manage their lives outside the team and what support and opportunities are available to them," New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol said.

"With the Rugby World Cup, because it is held over an extended period, they focus on what can be done to support partners. It's all a little different, depending on each player's situation.

"It's a pretty long-standing model and it has certainly stood the test of time."