New Zealand, who fell for the French team in the semi-finals, won their sixth world title in women's rugby on Saturday, in a sold-out Eden Park in Auckland, by defeating England (34- 31), in a spectacular and intense finale.
This new victory for the Black Ferns, in a match with eleven tries, also put an end to the series of 30 successes for the Red Roses, first in the world rankings.
Their last defeat dates back to July 2019 against these same New Zealanders.
This is for you Aotearoa.
🖤🤍#NZLvENG |
#RWC2021 |
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— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) November 12, 2022
Ruby Tui's teammates thus retain their title, won in 2017 against... the English.
Very quickly, the latter wanted to leave their mark on this final, with a try scored in the third minute by their back Ellie Kildune.
Then the Red Roses continued with hooker Amy Cokayne who signed the first of her three tries in the 13th minute, before being imitated by the third line Marlie Packer (21st).
However, the English were reduced to fourteen in the 18th minute after the red card inflicted on winger Lydia Thompson for an uncontrolled tackle on Kiwi winger Portia Woodman, who was then injured.
The New Zealanders then recovered, first by hooker Georgia Ponsoby (18th), then by winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga (25th), barely entering in place of Woodman.
The debates began to balance out, each team going blow for blow (26-19 for the English at the break).
"I can't even put my feelings into words"
Upon returning from the locker room, the New Zealanders chained two tries, by their center Stacey Fluhler (41st) then by their substitute hooker Krystal Murray (49th), to pass in front of the scoreboard (29-26).
The last minutes of the meeting were punctuated by tensions between players, until the test of the deliverance signed Ayesha Leti-l'iga, for her double (71st) and the victory (34-31), making the spectators exult .
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“I can't even put my emotions into words (…) We made so many sacrifices for the chance to win a World Cup on home soil – and we did!
jubilant New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant.
Logically disappointed, her English counterpart Sarah Hunter wanted to underline the state of mind of hers during this final.
“I'm disappointed but I'm proud of my team.
We fought, we had our backs against the wall for 60 minutes (after the exclusion of Lydia Thomson, editor's note), but we never gave up, we continued to fight, ”she welcomed.
The podium of this Women's Rugby World Cup is completed by the France team, winner of Canada (36-0) in the small final.
