The Red Roses walk empty away How did the red-hot favourites come to lose yet another world cup final, when everything seemed to favour them? Here are a few discussion-points. The shortest answer would be: the Black Ferns encouraged some of their greatest Sevens players to switch across to the Fifteens game. Sevens Kiwi experts
France have so much experience of finishing third at world cups that you have to wonder whether the coaches needed to exercise them at all pre-match. Tough and resourceful as the Canadians were, the French had the edge at all the decisive moments. They used a following breeze to build attacking positions. Emilie Boulard
New Zealand v England, the Final – Eden Park A game of unspeakable intensity and drama saw the Black Ferns snatch a sixth World Cup trophy and end that 30-match winning run of the visiting Red Roses. Pre-match The first thunderclap came with the announcement that Leanne Infante had failed a fitness test. This was
Canada v France This is the match that many people suggest is quite unnecessary. Is it just to provide a curtain-raiser for the big event? In the light of recent evidence we may wonder how many Kiwis will bother to turn up for a match not involving their beloved Black Ferns. They haven’t done so
Who’s ahead, Roses or Ferns? Up to the start of this tournament the Red Roses were the odds-on favourites to win a third world cup. But then Wayne Smith’s magic started to take its effect on the hosts and world champions, the Black Ferns. The two sides appear before a record-breaking crowd at Eden Park
England’s 23 to take on the World Champions After years of waiting and guessing, now at last we discover the management’s idea of the ideal England team. Here is the squad for the game that really matters: 15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 30 caps) 14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 57 caps) 13. Emily Scarratt
Head coach Simon Middleton has named his matchday squad for England’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand at Eden Park (Saturday 12 November, kick-off 7.30pm local time/6.30am UK time and live on ITV). Sarah Hunter captains the side at number eight with outside centre Emily Scarratt vice-captain. Ellie Kildunne (full back), Lydia Thompson (right
The Black Ferns team to face England for the Rugby World Cup title, at a sold-out Eden Park this Saturday, has been named. The team is; Phillipa Love (24) Georgia Ponsonby (12) Amy Rule (11) Maiakawanakaukani Roos (13) Chelsea Bremner (11) Alana Bremner (12) Sarah Hirini (16) Charmaine McMenamin (30) Kendra Cocksedge (67) Ruahei Demant
Who are the Underdogs? We were privileged to watch the two greatest semi-finals in the history of the World Cup. Have there ever been two such hotly contested semis in rugby? It’s doubtful. The Canadians came within one score of equalling the out-and-out favourites. Just look at what was happening immediately before the greatest try
A limited release of additional tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2021 finals have sold out in a matter of minutes after opening for sale at 1800 NZT Tuesday 8 November. A review of operational space within Eden Park resulted in extra seats being made available to fans, following extraordinary demand since the Black Ferns’
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