Sports Talk: Will the Kiwis be stopped?

Sixteen of the leading teams in Women's rugby will battle for the ultimate accolade when the 2002 IRB Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off on 12th May.

The growth in women's rugby has been phenomenal over the past few years.

New Zealand has experienced a 30% increase in players over the last 12 months, while England's clubs have increased to 400.

The Kiwis, the reigning World Champions, are aware they will need to be on top of their game ahead of the tournament, after recently falling to their first defeat in 10 years - 22-17 to England.

"When you are winning all the time, you can tend to overlook those areas that you need to work on."

But other teams too, remain ambitious.

Spanish captain Mercedes Batidor said her side were hoping to at least finish seventh.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle of a player's career and I am sure Spain will do well in front of its own public," she said.

"I think, finishing between 5th and 7th in the world would be a good result for us, but it will be tough work because the other teams have made great progress."

Kazakhstan were the surprise package in 1998 - finishing 9th - and they now enjoy the unique distinction of being the only country where women's rugby has overtaken men's in terms of development and international success.