Hall of Fame award a boost for women’s rugby, says Anna Richards

Four-time World Cup-winner and coach of Hong Kong women's sevens rugby Anna Richards made history on Monday by becoming one of the first female players to be inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame.

The former New Zealand Black Ferns fly-half was among six women in a group of 15 new inductees who were announced at a special ceremony during the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in London.

Richards – who at first thought it was all a joke – believes becoming one of the first women inducted into rugby's Hall of Fame shows how far the women's game has come.

"I got an e-mail from [IRB chairman] Bernard Lapasset. I thought it was a joke at first, but it's a great honour to be one of the first women inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame," the New Zealander said.

"The IRB have been very supportive over the years and although we have a short international history compared to the men, it is a great time to acknowledge how far women players and women's rugby has come.

"Now with the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympics and the success of the Women's Rugby World Cup, it truly shows the level at which the IRB value women's rugby," Richards said.

Pieter Schats, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, said: "We are delighted for Anna. Her playing career was unparalleled and her induction is a fitting honour for her personally and a strong recognition of the importance of the women's game in world rugby as a whole.

"Anna's ongoing role in the game on the coaching side in Hong Kong is wonderful for women's rugby and rugby sevens in particular going forward."