Farah Palmer's presentation to the World Rugby Council was the deciding factor in New Zealand winning the 2021 Women's World Cup hosting rights according to NZR chief executive Steve Tew.
Black Ferns performing haka against USA in 2017 WRWC Photo: Inpho / www.photosport.nz 2017
New Zealand and Australia were the two countries bidding in Dublin to have the tournament played in the southern hemisphere for the first time.
Auckland and Whangārei will stage the six-week event in July and August 2021.
Dr Palmer, a former Black Fern, and former All Black Mark Robinson delivered their presentation on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby board.
Tew told Morning Report their presentation was inspirational.
"They both spoke very genuinely and directly to the councillors about the meaning of rugby in our country, the growth of the women's game and what it means to New Zealand to host these big events.
"I think that was certainly a significant contribution to some people's decision. You often don't get many votes in a presentation because people have got all the information in advance but you certainly can lose some but I don't think we lost any today," he said.
Tew said he wasn't sure what the outcome of the bid would be before the presentation.
"As the evaluation reports submitted to the World Rugby Council said there were two outstanding bids, New Zealand and Australia submitted very compelling propositions and either could have done a good job.
"In the end they've chosen us and we feel a little bit for our Australian friends but we're delighted," he said.
Dr Palmer said she started her presentation with a verse of the Black Ferns haka to make her feel "grounded and calm".
"It made me feel like a had all of my whanau and my sisters with me while I was out there trying to do my best," she said.
"We've been thinking about this for a year. We've had a team that has put together a really great bid...I just spoke from the heart, really.
"We probably wouldn't have put in the bid if we didn't have the government support. The Ministry for Sport, Grant Robertson, has been very, very forceful in terms of 'we are here to promote women and girls in sport'. And we understand that rugby is probably one of those games that's a litmus test for how we are going."
New Zealand wins the rights to host the 2021 women's Rugby World Cup. Steve Tew, Mark Robinson, Farah Palmer and Bill Beaumont. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Matches will be played at the 5,000-capacity Waitakere Stadium in Auckland and the Northland Events Centre in Whangārei, as well as the 25,000 capacity Albany Stadium and Eden Park, which hosted the men's Rugby World Cup 2011 final.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew and board members Farah Palmer and Mark Robinson faced a World Rugby panel in Dublin to support the bid. The panel voted 25-17 in New Zealand's favour.
World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont said the pitch from New Zealand rugby delegates was what convinced him.
"You listen to the presentation and the passion... you know it's the passion for the sport and everybody knows what rugby means to Kiwis, it's their DNA isn't it. That came out certainly."
"I think people will want to test themselves against the best women's teams in the backdrop of extremely knowledgeable rugby people.
"No better place to play." he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was a proud moment for the country as her government seeks to promote women's sport.
"I'm hugely excited the event will be held here," she said.
"This government is committed to more women and girls getting involved in sport, so we are enthusiastic supporters of bringing this elite women's tournament to New Zealand and inspiring a new generation of women and girls to get involved in rugby."
New Zealand won a record fifth women's Rugby World Cup title last year in Ireland, beating England 41-32 in the final.
- Reuters/RNZ