1998
"We looked at where we were four years ago and there has been a 100 per cercent improvement..." - Jill Zonnevald, IRB (World Rugby)
The first IRB sanctioned Rugby World Cup saw the event held in the Netherlands after the late cancellation four years earlier.
With first appearances for Germany and Australia alongside the return of New Zealand and Spain, 1998 also saw an increase in media interest and many games were shown on television for the first time.
The outstanding Farah Palmer led the dominant New Zealand side who were too far good for everyone, winning the final comfortably against the USA 44-12. The performance and the all-round talent of the team meant it was clear that the Black Ferns were set to dominate international women's rugby.
