Brighton Prepares for a Sporting Celebration Like No Other
While Villa Park will draw attention for England’s match against Andorra and Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, few events in global sports this weekend will rival the atmosphere in Brighton. The appeal isn’t just about entertainment or scheduled activities, but the significance of the occasion. These fixtures were circled on calendars as soon as they were announced. Key figures from across the sport—where every participant holds value—are making plans to be part of it. England faces Australia on Saturday, while New Zealand takes on Ireland Sunday. Both games are sold out.
Alec Waugh once described an international rugby match as “a gathering of the clan,” not just a spectacle. That sentiment holds true in Brighton, though the crowd will differ from those filling the West Stand in Waugh’s era.
The last time the Rugby World Cup came to the city, the outcome became the subject of a film. Karne Hesketh’s last-minute try sealed Japan’s historic 34-32 win over South Africa, later dramatized in The Brighton Miracle. In a fitting choice, coach Eddie Jones was portrayed by Temuera Morrison, known for his role as a bounty hunter in Star Wars. This time, a film precedes the event. The short documentary Where We Belong, directed by Pip + Lib, highlights rugby’s broader appeal and will debut this weekend.
“Players in this tournament have expressed themselves freely, showing their personalities,” says tournament director Sarah Massey. “From the start, we aimed for more—using this event to spotlight underrepresented groups, particularly women, who haven’t always seen themselves in this sport.”
The leadership team is entirely female, as are the artists behind the opening broadcast visuals, the DJs, and the groundstaff for the final.
Such statements may sound familiar, but here they align with the reality of women’s rugby. *Where We Belong* offers a glimpse into three teams, with its trailer alone capturing the essence of the game. Pip + Lib, who previously collaborated with the Lionesses, ventured into rugby for the first time. “I assumed rugby had a specific kind of follower,” says Lib. “I thought it was mostly tied to private schools, with access to facilities and sports programs. But it’s far more diverse—women from all backgrounds embrace it, and it gives them so much.”
“We met many people during casting…”
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