She has digested the announcement of the inaugural Lions women’s tour to New Zealand and is now eager to get cracking to make the most of the history-making event.
The Lions are forming a women’s team for the first time and planning a trip to these shores in 2027 for three tests and other games against opposition to be confirmed.
"It’s exciting and an example of how women’s rugby is growing here in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally," Palmer told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"It is absolutely amazing that we’ve seen so many new initiatives in the last 5-10 years that demonstrate if we put some effort into promoting and planning, and really increase the profile of players and teams, a fan base can be built and women’s rugby is no longer an afterthought."
A first Lions men’s team (of sorts) was formed in 1888, and the first team to represent the four home nations toured South Africa in 1910.
The men’s tours are massive in terms of fan interest and economic impact, and while it will be tempting to assume the women’s version will be vastly smaller at first, Palmer is confident it will be a big deal.
"The following for women’s rugby in the northern hemisphere is significant, so I would expect there will be a few supporters and families of players who will be making the trip down to follow their favourite players and they’ll be looking forward to some great competitive games.
"We also witnessed the enthusiasm for the Black Ferns at the World Cup that built throughout the tournament.
"Last year was a big year for international women’s sport events in New Zealand. We need to keep promoting and thinking innovatively about how to ensure the tour is a success, so it isn’t a case of copy and paste what the men do, but more about who are the fans, and what would they want to see and experience."
The early naysayers are saying the Lions women’s teams will basically be England in disguise.
The English were certainly strong, Palmer said, but she expected other nations to provide some depth.
"There are some star players from Wales, Scotland and Ireland who will come together to create an amazing team, and this in turn will provide some exciting games and personalities on and off the field."
A schedule will not be firmed up for a while but there is talk the Lions will play some of the Super Rugby Aupiki teams.
Palmer, who is head of New Zealand Maori Rugby as well as New Zealand Rugby deputy chairwoman, would also like to see another team get a chance.
"I would love the Lions to play a Wahine Māori team," she said.
"The Māori Rugby Board has been pushing for a Māori women’s team, and they had a taste of what that means to the wāhine when an Aotearoa team was put together at the last minute to play the Fijiana team in Fiji in their build-up for the World Cup. The players all came back fizzing and loved the experience.
"I am biased, of course, but we’ll have to look at all the options and discuss with the tournament organisers."
Christchurch should have its new stadium by 2027 so presumably will join Wellington and Auckland as a test venue.
That could leave a Lions clash against Matatū or the Black Ferns XV for Dunedin’s covered stadium.
"Forsyth Barr Stadium and Dunedin have always been great supporters of women’s rugby and I, too, would love to see these games being shared around," Palmer said.
"The covered stand is also a bonus, and the student population always makes for a great atmosphere, so fingers crossed."
