New Zealand's players celebrate after winning the Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP / Marty Melville
New Zealand have been crowned world champions at the Rugby World Cup tonight, defeating England 34-31 in the final at Eden Park.
In front of a record crowd of more than 42,000 people, New Zealand ended England's 30-game winning streak to defend their world title.
"I'm so proud of our team," said New Zealand co-captain and player of the match Ruahei Demant. "Last year we went on the northern tour and we got pumped. We sacrificed so much to get the one chance to win a World Cup at home and we did it.
"We hope we have made our country proud and inspired the next generation of Black Ferns."
Stacey Fluhler of New Zealand and Theresa Fitzpatrick of New Zealand celebrate with their winners medals. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
While the Red Roses started strongly and hooker Amy Cokayne - who played her high school rugby in New Zealand - scored a hat-trick of tries, the team was eventually unable to recover from a red card given early in the match.
The Black Ferns were handed a yellow card of their own with 15 minutes to play, leaving both teams with 14 players on the field, but a try to Ayeshe Leti-I'Iga in the final 10 minutes gave the reigning champs the win, with the hosts holding on and winning a crucial line-out in the final seconds for a three-point win.
Renee Holmes of New Zealand celebrates her try during the Rugby World Cup final against England. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
England led 26-21 at half-time and scored the first two tries in the game, with a converted try to Ellie Kildunne in the opening minutes and a typically strong drive from England getting Cockayne over the New Zealand line for her first try.
England - who have never beaten New Zealand in a world cup final in five attempts - were reduced to 14 players with a red card in the 17th minute, when winger Lydia Thompson was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Portia Woodman,
Woodman - the world cup's leading try scorer - was injured in the incident and took no further part in the game, but the Black Ferns scored their first try to Georgia Ponsonby soon afterwards.
Charmaine McMenamin in action for the Black Ferns against England at the Rugby World Cup New Zealand final. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
While the English hit back immediately with a try to Marlie Packer that gave England a 19-7 lead a quarter of the way through the game, Ayeshe Leti-I'Iga then scored in the corner for the Black Ferns.
But the power of England's rolling maul drove over the line again, with another try for Cockayne before the Black Ferns got one of their own through Amy Rule just before the break.
Two tries to Amy Rule and Stacey Fluhler in the first few minutes of the second half gave the Black Ferns the lead for the first time, but England snatched it back through a third try to Cockayne.
England's Sadia Kabeya tackles Black Fern Luka Connor during the Rugby World Cup final match. Photo: AFP / Michael Bradley
New Zealand centre Stacey Fluhler then chased a chip through and brilliantly offloaded in the tackle to winger Leti-l'iga, who touched down for her second try to give New Zealand a lead they would not relinquish.
In the final moments, the Red Roses put their trust in the lineout drive rather than level the scores with a penalty, a trust that was betrayed when New Zealand turned over the final lineout to reign as world champions and lift the cup for a sixth time.
New Zealand's players celebrate after winning the Rugby World Cup final match between the Black Ferns and England at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: AFP / Marty Melville
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.
"Sport can be cruel at times," said England captain Sarah Hunter. "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."
- RNZ / Reuters