<\/p>\n
England winger Lydia Thompson was sent off in the 18th minute for a sickening head clash that knocked out New Zealand superstar Portia Woodman.<\/p>\n
\ufeff"For me, it's clear head on head, she's coming across at speed, it's a reckless action, so it's a red card for me," referee Hollie Davidson said.<\/p>\n
Woodman's replacement, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, proved just as dynamic, scoring two tries including the decisive 72nd minute strike to put the Black Ferns in front.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/strong> Clanger gifts Roos ticket to RLWC final\ufeff<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Bizarre prospect looming amid dire T20 forecast<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> \ufeff'Absolutely gutted' NZ coach's unflinching call<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n "Most people probably don't even know that last year we went on a northern tour and we got pumped," New Zealand co-captain Ruahei Demant said.<\/p>\n "I'm proud of the way that the players have turned themselves around. We've sacrificed so much to get one chance in a lifetime to win a World Cup at home and we did it."<\/p>\n England hooker Amy Cokayne touched down twice during a frenetic first half in which seven tries were scored.<\/p>\n But New Zealand surprised England by also scoring tries to hooker Georgia Ponsonby and prop Amy Rule from driven mauls while still expressing itself with its back play.<\/p>\n The Black Ferns wrested the lead from England for first time with two tries in the first nine minutes of the second half which put it ahead 29-26.<\/p>\n The first was a magnificent backline try, finished by centre Stacey Fluhler and the second came from New Zealand's surprisingly strong set piece.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportRugby\/status\/1591349035381596160?s=20&t=cJZVNnJ8IuuVMiDq5ZhVZA<\/a><\/p>\n Cokayne's hat trick try, again from a lineout drive, after New Zealand yielded a penalty from a collapsed scrum in front of its posts, allowed England to regain the lead up 31-29 in the 54th minute.<\/p>\n New Zealand again rallied and Leti-I'iga scored after Fluhler won the race to a kick behind the England line and brilliantly held the ball up for the winger.<\/p>\n England was shattered by the result which upended its hope of turning its domination of women's rugby over almost three years into a world title.<\/p>\n It fielded nine players which lost to New Zealand in the last World Cup final in 2017, including captain Sarah Hunter.<\/p>\n "Sport can be cruel at times and I'm just so proud of the way this team has shown up, not just tonight but for the last three years," Hunter said.<\/p>\n "Hopefully one result doesn't define the team, the individuals, the people they've become and the journey we've been on.<\/p>\n "Tonight was a great showcase for women's rugby and credit to New Zealand. You can't take it away from them."<\/p>\n New Zealand played with great spirit against an England team which unquestionably is the greatest women's team in history.<\/p>\n England scored tries through fullback Ellie Kildunne and Cockayne to lead 14-0 after 14 minutes but New Zealand didn't lose its shape or purpose.<\/p>\n Ponsonby's try which immediately followed Thompson's red card cut the lead to seven points.<\/p>\n England went ahead again with Marlie Packer's try from a rolling maul in the 21st minute but New Zealand replied with a try to Leti-I'iga.<\/p>\n Cockayne made the lead 26-14 after 32 minutes but New Zealand rallied again with Rule's try immediately before halftime.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportRugby\/status\/1591358653742780417?s=20&t=cJZVNnJ8IuuVMiDq5ZhVZA<\/a><\/p>\n New Zealand started the second half superbly with a long-distance try to Fluhler who worked an inter-passing move with fullback Renee Holmes.<\/p>\n When prop Krystal Murray scored, England found itself behind for the first time.<\/p>\n New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Simon was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the 65th minute and Cockaye gave England the lead again.<\/p>\n But New Zealand was not to be denied and reclaimed the lead, then held on under pressure for its sixth world title.<\/p>\n France claimed the bronze medal, beating Canada 36-0 in the playoff for third place.<\/p>\n New Zealand 34<\/strong> (Ayesha Leti-I'iga 2, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Stacey Fluhler, Krystal Murray tries; Renee Holmes 2 conversions) England 31<\/strong> (Amy Cokayne 3, Ellie Kildunne, Marlie Packer tries; Emily Scarratt 3 conversions). HT:<\/strong> 19-26<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Classy](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2022\/11\/466010\/121122blackferns.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Fluhler](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2022\/11\/465989\/121122nztry.png\")
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![\"Kiwi](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2022\/11\/466024\/121122nzwinsrugby.png\")
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