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<\/p>\nRugby union fans have praised York, as games took place in the city on the opening weekend of the Women’s World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Community Stadium hosted Canada’s win over Fiji on Saturday and then New Zealand’s 54-8 victory over Spain on Sunday.<\/p>\n
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Canadian family Matt, Jenna, Annika and Levi watched their team beat Fiji on Saturday and returned to cheer on New Zealand earlier.<\/p>\n
“We just want to say thank you to York – we’ve had a beautiful time in an amazing city with tonnes of history and the people have been so friendly,” Matt said.<\/p>\n
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Canadian fans Matt, Jenna, Annika and Levi watched their team win on Saturday and returned on Sunday, supporting New Zealand [BBC]<\/p>\n
Although defeat for Spain, it did nothing to dampen the spirit of their fans.<\/p>\n
Blanca, 51, who has travelled over to support her country with a group of friends, said: “It’s a beautiful city.”<\/p>\n
“We are so excited,” added Isabel, 56, who praised the atmosphere of the city.<\/p>\n
Although their country is not the favourite to win, Cristina, 42, said the players were “going to fight, for sure”.<\/p>\n
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Mallory Forsyth and Mat Palmer had travelled from New Zealand for a family wedding in Woking.<\/p>\n
Ms Forsyth said being able to watch the match was an “added bonus”, while Mr Palmer said he was “really excited” for the game.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking for a positive result as we didn’t do so well this morning with the men,” he added.<\/p>\n
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Harry Radcliffe and Martin Calvert say it is good to see matches being hosted in the city where they live [BBC]<\/p>\n
Martin Calvert, 39, who lives in York, said he was “excited” and had met some of the New Zealand players when they were training at a local gym.<\/p>\n
His friend, Harry Radcliffe, 27, added: “It looks dead busy so it should be fun.<\/p>\n
“It’s good to fill up the stadium properly and see it used for it.”<\/p>\n
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Shaun Gowens, 36, from Newcastle, was also supporting New Zealand, with his wife.<\/p>\n
“One of the first things we looked for was the Black Ferns fixtures and, luckily, it was in York,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Any New Zealand team in rugby has an aura about them. The type of rugby they play is exciting.<\/p>\n
“Everybody wants to watch Portia Woodman come on and break records<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Sarah, Charlie and Charlotte say they love to see matches in the tournament played in the north of England [BBC]<\/p>\n Charlotte and Sarah Richards had travelled from Thornton Dale, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, with friend Charlie Packer, from London.<\/p>\n As well as New Zealand’s match against Spain, they had also watched Canada’s win over Fiji in York and England’s opener against the USA.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n At each game, they have worn red rose-themed headwear in tribute to the England team.<\/p>\n “Got to do those girls proud,” Charlotte, 22, explained.<\/p>\n “We’re really excited to see how far women’s rugby has come and we’re excited to show that women’s rugby is here and it’s here to stay,” said Ms Packer, also 22.<\/p>\n Sarah added: “It’s really good to see things in the north – we love it.”<\/p>\n Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds<\/a>, catch up with the latest episode of Look North<\/a>.<\/p>\n More on this story![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/c7cc280cca6e27ce5710a5c697530286.jpeg\"\/)
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