The history of the All Blacks is littered with famous victories and more memorable moments to count.
But on a glorious Saturday afternoon in front of a packed, raucous Eden Park crowd, the Black Ferns have produced perhaps the equal to any of the wins of their world-famous male counterparts, stunning red-hot favourites England, ending their 30-match winning streak and defending their Rugby World Cup title with a remarkable 34-31 victory in one of the tournament’s greatest ever matches, let alone finals.
Winger Ayesha Leti-l’iga scored a try nine minutes from time to give the Black Ferns the match-winning lead.
England battled through more than two-thirds of the match with 14 players after Lydia Thompson was sent-off for a reckless tackle, but the Red Roses still looked on course for a 31st successive victory, protecting a two-point lead going into the last 10 minutes.
But centre Stacey Fluhler chased a chip through and offloaded in the tackle to Leti-l’iga, who put the hosts in front for only the second time and New Zealand held on to stun the tournament favourites.
The victory brought an end to three years of utter dominance of women’s rugby by England as well as their record winning streak, which included two thrashings of New Zealand at the end of last year.
“I’m so proud of our team,” New Zealand co-captain and player of the match Ruahei Demant said.
“We sacrificed so much to get the one chance to win a World Cup at home and we did it.”
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,” England captain Sarah Hunter said.
“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 and unfortunately it wasn’t enough to take the trophy home.”
Earlier, France ran in five tries to thrash Canada 36-0 in the third-place play-off to secure the bronze medal for the seventh time in nine editions of the tournament.
Winger Marine Menager scored two tries and lock Madoussou Fall, outstanding halfback Pauline Bourdon and prop Annaelle Deshaye also crossed as France ruthlessly took apart the 2014 runners-up.
Denied a place in their first final after Caroline Drouin missed a late penalty against New Zealand last week, France kept the Canadians shackled with brutal defence even when Gabrielle Vernier was sent to the sin bin in the second half.
“We are so happy about this medal,” Vernier said.
“It was a very difficult week after last week and we put our hearts on the field, we put everything out there.”
Canada were the only one of the semi-finalists without full professional contracts and can take pride from taking world No.1 England close in last week’s semi-final.
“We weren’t good enough today, credit to France,” Canada captain Sophie De Goede said.
“We came here to win a World Cup and we fell short of that so we’re disappointed, but hopefully it’ll be a good building block for the future.”
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Haha yeh to wipe you away!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Geeeez did you win???? Duuuur
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: Says the biggest looper on the site...
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Yeah, I'm bereft at the outcome of the women's rugby cup final.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
7s isn't a game that's taken seriously in England. They've signifcantly cut funding over the last few years.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Perhaps if they stopped being unhinged barnpots, Andy. :happy:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Debating' with Kiwi rugby fans is like nailing jelly to a wall. My only point was that the hilarious hubris from the likes of Muzzo about the superhuman abilities of the BFs was BS, and England are probably a better team. I thought NZ were a better team than SA in 1995 and a better team than France in 2007. The game coming down to the last throw at a lineout when being down to 14 since the 18th minute, in a final, is fairly compelling evidence. I know it's sacrilege, but I'm not particularly invested in women's rugby. My fascination is more with the weird mentality of the Kiwi rugby fan.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It’s all you’ve got though, Muzzo. An entire nation’s sense of self-worth based on one sport. Even then you needed mass immigration from the islands to win a RWC in the professional era. :laughing: And you still strip the islands of their talent for your ‘High School Scholarships.’ If you are a young athlete in England, it’s unlikely you will ever pick a rugby ball up at school.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: The men’s sevens and women’s rugby? Is that what you’re reduced to? In terms of priorities, the men’s 7s is somehow around Mongolian throat-warbling in terms of British sport. Because you’re historically illiterate, you wouldn’t know that the UK Olympic team has been united as one Olympic association since the beginning. Nevertheless, if you want to break it down, competitors from Yorkshire got more gold medals than the entire Australia team in 2012. let alone the rest of England. Don’t worry, though. As you’ll be uniting with China soon, you’ll streak up the medals table. :laughing: :laughing:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: You'd think a man called 'Atlas' could find his backside with both hands.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Yes, the 'poms' were really on the back foot in that first 18 minutes - leading as they were 14-0.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Have you asked the Chinese if it's allowed?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
‘Better teams don’t lose.’ :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Well, that’s 24 years of Kiwi rugby commentary out the window, then.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Yes, Nick Bishop is such a 'fan' of England and our rugby teams he sometimes loses all sense of proportion fanatically defending them. It's a well-known trait with the Welsh.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
These shrinking violets at the NZRU, eh? Too shy to say to the Japanese that there's a women's RWC match on at that time.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Sorry, Jacko, I forgot TV in NZ is still an exotic technology.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Christchurch ratepayers will soon discover that a stadium of any size is a burden.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Stu Forster, ex All Black and a slim 5'7", stopped full-pelt Jonah Lomu dead due to his excellent tackle technique. Forster was a back.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Haha! Thanks mate .. I’ll be right
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
All the best for a complete recovery RT, and we note the nom-de-forum "Broken Shoulder" has already been taken...