England so close as New Zealand defend crown

by James Skitt - 06.09.10

England’s women came so close to ending New Zealand’s stranglehold on the World Cup but could not stop the Black Ferns registering their fourth straight title, eventually losing 13-10 in Sunday’s final at the Stoop.

A record crowd of 13,000 witnessed a courageous second half comeback which saw the hosts, trailing 7-0 at the half time interval, briefly  level the scores at 10-10 when Katy McLean converted a Charlotte Barras try, only for a 65th minute penalty from New Zealand’s Kelly Brazier to prove the difference between the sides.

England Head Coach Gary Street told rfu.com: “I am so proud of the players. At the moment we are all so disappointed but I genuinely believe in the bigger picture of this result. The legacy this tournament will leave behind is huge. The fact that a women’s rugby game filled the Stoop is ground breaking. Such a thought would have been regarded as nonsense before this tournament began.

“New Zealand were excellent today but our defence matched their attack, and I thought we had the momentum at 10-10 to take the win, but unfortunately for us they eventually won by the smallest of margins.”

England’s squad access a range of English Institute of Sport (EIS) services including Strength and Conditioning, Physiotherapy, Performance Psychology, Performance Analysis, Performance Lifestyle and Performance Nutrition.

Earlier on Sunday Australia bounced back from their semi final defeat to England to win the third place play off with France 22-8. Click here to view all the results from the tournament on the Official IRB Women’s World Cup 2010 website.

To read a report of the final on rfu.com click here

Photography © Getty Images