"rugbyfest 1990" pointed the way to the next big leap forward—the first women's rugby world cup, which took place in wales the following year. timed to coincide with the second men's world cup being held in england it did not meet with official approval from world rugby (then known as the international rugby football board), a decision which threatened the competition and was a factor in the new zealand rfu not supporting their entry. however, this did not stop the new zealanders from taking part—nor wales, the united states, england, france, canada, sweden, ussr, japan, spain, italy, and the netherlands.