Black Ferns Win Rugby World Cup

The New Zealand Black Ferns have beaten England 34-31 to win their sixth Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Saturday night. The Black Ferns scored six tries to five, but trailed for much of the match, having to come back from two tries down in the early part of the match. England had played three quarters of the match with only 14 after winger Lydia Thompson was red carded after a head clash with Portia Woodman in a tackle, that also saw Woodman leave the field. The Black Ferns had struggled to combat the England rolling mall, with four of their five tries coming from it, but had stayed in touch for most of the match. The Black Ferns had hit the front with nine minutes remaining with a try to Ayesha Leti-I'iga, but were forced to defend the final minute of the match with a lineout near their own line, with Joanah Ngan-Woo’s lineout steal sealing the game.

New Zeland Black Ferns: 34 

Tries: Ayesha Leti-l'iga 2, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Stacey Fluhler, Krystal Murray, Conversions: Renee Holmes 2

England: 31 

Tries: Amy Cokayne 3, Ellie Kildunne, Marlie Packer, Conversions: Emily Scarratt 3

New Zealand Black Ferns Named For Rugby World Cup Final

New Zealand Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith has named his side to face England in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup to be played at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 12th November 7.30pm.

There is one change to the starting side which beat Wales in the semi-final, with Charmaine McMenamin at number eight replacing Liana Mikaele-Tu’u who has a thumb injury.

England have made two changes to their starting side, with Ellie Kildunne replacing Helena Rowland at fullback and Lydia Thompson replacing Claudia MacDonald on the wing. In the reserves there are two changes, with Cath O’Donnell and Tatyana Heard bought in.

New Zealand Black Ferns:

1. Phillipa Love, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Maiakawanakaukani Roos, 5. Chelsea Bremner, 6. Alana Bremner, 7. Sarah Hirini, 8. Charmaine McMenamin, 9. Kendra Cocksedge, 10. Ruahei Demant (c), 11. Portia Woodman, 12. Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13. Stacey Fluhler, 14. Ruby Tui, 15. Renee Holmes

Reserves:

16. Luka Connor, 17. Krystal Murray, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20. Kennedy Simon, 21. Ariana Bayler, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga

England:

1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (c), 9. Leanne Infante, 10. Zoe Harrison, 11. Abby Dow, 12. Holly Aitchison, 13. Emily Scarratt, 14. Lydia Thompson, 15. Ellie Kildunne

Reserves:

16. Lark Davies, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Cath O’Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Sadia Kabeya, 22. Claudia MacDonald, 23. Tatyana Heard

Black Ferns Through To Rugby World Cup Final

The Black Ferns are through to the Rugby World Cup Final after beating France 25-24 at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday night. After a slow start to the match, and being down 17-10 at halftime, the Black Ferns piled on 15 unanswered points in the second half to lead the match. France came back with a second try to Romane Menager, and the Black Ferns were forced to defend late in the match. The Black Ferns conceded a late penalty when Santo Taumata was yellow carded for a head clash, but France first five Caroline Drouin was unable to convert from 30 metres out.

The Black Ferns will face England in the final at Eden Park on Saturday 12th November, after they beat Canada 26-19 in the earlier semi-final.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 25 

Tries: Stacey Fluhler, Ruby Tui, Theresa Fitzpatrick tries; Renee Holmes con, pen, Ruahei Demant con, pen) 

France: 24 

Tries: Romane Menager 2, Gabrielle Vernier tries; Caroline Drouin 3 con, pen) HT: 17-10 France