AUCKLAND – Winger Ayesha Leti-l’iga scored a try nine minutes from time to give New Zealand a 34-31 victory over England in a thriller of a World Cup final on Saturday as the Black Ferns claimed a sixth world title at a packed Eden Park.
England played for more than two thirds of the match with 14 women after Lydia Thompson was sent off for a reckless tackle but still looked on course for a 31st successive victory with a two-point lead going into the last 10 minutes.
Centre Stacey Fluhler chased a chip through, however, and brilliantly offloaded in the tackle to winger Leti-l’iga, who touched down for her second try to give New Zealand a lead they would not relinquish.
The victory brought an end to three years of utter dominance of women’s rugby by England as well as their record winning streak of 30 matches, which included two thrashings of New Zealand at the end of 2021.
“I’m so proud of our team,” said New Zealand co-captain and player of the match Ruahei Demant after the match which saw a record crowd of 40,000.
“I can’t even put it into words. All I can say is thank you. It’s been really challenging, last year we went on the northern tour and we got pumped.
“We sacrificed so much to get this chance to win a World Cup at home and we did it.
“We hope we have made our country proud and inspired the next generation of Black Ferns.”
A hat-trick from hooker Amy Cokayne off the rolling maul and tries from flanker Marlie Packer and fullback Ellie Kildunne had kept England ahead for all but 15 of the 80 minutes.
“Sport can be cruel at times,” said England captain Sarah Hunter. “I’m just so proud of the way this team have shown up not just tonight but over the last three years. I hope that one result doesn’t define the team.
“We gave everything tonight. We came out fighting, we had our backs against the wall but we never gave up, and unfortunately it wasn’t enough to take the trophy home.”
New Zealand’s win completed a metamorphosis for the team under veteran former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith, who was introduced in 2022 after the Black Ferns’ two losses to England.
Smith, who announced after the final he would return to retirement, had steered his side to 11 straight wins but they were still underdogs against a Red Roses team he labelled one of the best teams in the history of men’s or women’s rugby.
But the Kiwis stayed true to the breathless, attacking style they had used with success all tournament and it ultimately triumphed over England’s efficient, power-based game.
Earlier, France hammered Canada 36-0 in the play-off for third place. France scored five tries in a dominant display to secure the bronze medal for a remarkable seventh time, having never qualified for the final. REUTERS, AFP
