Nicknames, mottos, monickers, etc. However you want to name it, it has been around forever, and in the sporting world most teams have adopted a nickname so they can become more recognisable to their fans… and foes.
While some nations have adopted their country’s emblem (like Spain), others have taken on a nickname inspired by the colour of their jerseys or flag (France, for example), adapting it to suit their needs.
However, not every team has an official (or unofficial) monicker, but here’s the complete list of the women’s team playing in the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Australia – Wallaroos
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
The Wallaroos weren’t among the first twelve nations to play in a World Cup, but they have made several appearances since the competition began in 1993. However, they were one of the first nations to adopt a nickname, picking the Wallaroos as their moniker.
It wasn’t due to being a species of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, etc), but an homage to the Wallaroo Football Club, one of Australia’s oldest rugby clubs still in existence.
England – Red Roses
In 2016, England adopted their nickname, the Red Roses, for the very first time, rebranding their image and rugby footprint.
At the time, Ian Ritchie, who served as the RFU’s chief executive, explained to the BBC that,
“The red rose encapsulates much of what it means to be an England player,” RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said, “We wanted to create an identity for England Women that would inspire more people to get involved, whether playing or supporting the women’s game.”
The Red Rose has been the emblem of the English rugby national team since 1871, a tradition dating back to Tudor times.
United States of America – Eagles
The bald eagle has been part of the USA’s Imaginarium since the 1780s, having become a symbol imprinted in the official documentation of the US government. Likewise, the USA rugby national teams adopted the name Eagles from the beginning, fully embracing their country’s history and mythology.
Samoa – Manusina
Manusina, a name that epitomises what it is to be part of the history and legacy of the Samoa women’s team: free, daring, proud and not afraid to take risks. The ‘Manusina’ is a white tern, a bird that inhabits the skies of countries like Samoa, and has a special significance for the fishermen and those who live near the Samoan seabed.
Canada – Maple Leaf
While the Maple Leaf is not officially recognised as Canada’s nickname, it has stuck around for the past twenty years, due to being the country’s national symbol. Adopted by the French Canadians in the 19th century, it gained popularity and remained as the North American nation’s official emblem, becoming part of Canada’s flag.
Fiji – Fijianas
While the men are known as the Flying Fijians, the women have adopted the nickname Fijiana, which translates to the feminine version of ‘Fijian’. While for the non-Fijian public it may not be special, for those who were born, raised, and/or represent Fiji, it means strength, perseverance, community, and a deep connection to their roots.
Scotland – No nickname
Wales – No nickname
Ireland – No nickname
Japan – Sakura
The Cherry Blossoms, or, as said in Japanese, Sakura, is one of Japan’s proudest symbols and emblems, having been part of the country’s history since the beginning. A truly stunning and powerful sight to behold, the Sakura envelops some of Japan’s most historical cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Shizuoka, among others. A sign of renewal, of beauty and ferocity, the Sakura stand tall and won’t yield until it fully blossoms, encapsulating well what it means to be part of the Women’s rugby Japanese national team.
New Zealand – Black Ferns
The all-mighty and forever powerful, the Black Ferns. A combination of their black but hypotonic vests and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable trees, the mamaku (a black tree fern), gave rise to the Black Ferns’ nickname, which was born after their 1998 World Cup conquest and has endured since then.
Spain – Leonas
Spain has been involved in the women’s game since its inception and adopted the lioness as its symbol, a relic dating back to medieval times. The León hispano (the Hispanic Lion) was born after the Kingdom of Asturias became the Kingdom of León, surviving the eras and becoming a central figure of Spain’s sports imagery. The Leonas are revered for their unity, strength, and their willingness to give their all, having fought against the odds time and again.
Brazil – Yaras
For those unaware, Brazil has a rich tapestry of mythologies, blending Indigenous, African, and European influences. The Tupi-Guarani mythology survived, and the Yara, the Lady of the Water, is a national heritage. The mermaid-like spirit that dwells in the Amazonian Rivers, a strong woman warrior who frightens everyone who navigates in the Amazon region, became a symbol of the Brazilian women’s team. It represents who and what they are, what they stand for and where their passion comes from. Community, perseverance and fierce mindset, welcome to Yaras’ territory.
France – Les Bleues
Blue has been France’s colour since the monarchy and was later converted into the drapes of the French Revolution and the flag that would stand tall since 1794. While there is more than one explanation for what the Blue represents in the flag, the most accepted explanations are: it can mean Liberté (freedom); it was the colour symbolising the bourgeoisie; and that red and blue are the colours of Paris. Like every sports team in France, the rugby women’s side adopted the blue and named themselves Les Bleues, becoming part of that spirited and proud legacy.
Italy – Azzurre
Like France, Italy adopted the blue as the main and sole colour of their sporting jerseys, which comes from the flag. The blue in the Italian flag is a tribute to the Royal House of Savoy, a family that ruled unified Italy from the late 1800s to 1946. It debuted in 1910 and has since then become the standard of any Italian national sporting team, with the women’s rugby team adopting it as their own.
South Africa – Springbok Women’s
The Springbok is the symbol of South African rugby, be it the men’s, women’s, U20S or U18S teams – the 7s gave it a twist and call themselves the Blitzbokke. The national animal of South Africa, the Springbok, became part of South Africa’s rugby Imaginarium when their men’s team toured the UK in 1906 with captain Paul Roos, vice-skipper HJ Carolin, and team manager Cecil Carden, who called their own team ‘the Springboks’. For the past 119 years, the Springboks has been the Rainbow Country nickname for their national teams, a proud homage to the marvels and wonders of South Africa.