New Zealand
Renee Holmes Missed multiple kicks but was instrumental in some attacking combinations. Valuable metres and link-up play with Fluhler saw the centre score. A solid performance. 8
Ruby Tui Winger was not fed the ball often enough to show what she can do. Solid in defence and the complete character at the post-match party at lively Eden Park. 7
Stacey Fluhler Outstanding in attack, scored one try and was key in another. A menace across the pitch, and it was sad to watch her hobble off injured with minutes left. 9
Theresa Fitzpatrick Great work with ball on the boot opened England’s defence. Read of play was spot on throughout. More impressive in attack than defence. 7
Portia Woodman Winger was forced off at 18 minutes after Lydia Thompson put in a dangerous tackle with head-on-head contact. She went off on a cart but was OK to pick up her medal. N/A
Ruahei Demant (capt) Player of the final. Pressured a Harrison kick to go out on the full which led to winning try. Dependable and inspirational leader. 9
Kendra Cocksedge Last game in a New Zealand shirt with her retirement announcement coming before tournament. Ever solid at nine with fairytale ending to boot. 7
Phillipa Love Hooked off before 50 minutes after being pushed around by England’s front row at the scrum, had more control when replacements came on. 6
Georgia Ponsonby Same as Love, had issues at the set piece with both scrum and line-out but scored from a driving maul. 6
Amy Rule Scored a really good try, spotting Amy Cokayne had moved to defend the driving maul and peeling off to go over. 8
Maia Roos Knock-on under a high ball led to England’s third try but balanced it out with good work at maul time. 7
Chelsea Bremner Scrum sloppy in the first 40 but back on track in the second. Good defensive effort from a player who worked well in the background. 7
Alana Bremner Similar to her sister in toiling away to get the little things right. Scrum not always functioning, an issue in the first half. 7
Sarah Hirini Was not mentioned much in commentary but ever present in attack and defence, heart of team celebrations. Could have better set piece. 8
Charmaine McMenamin Had a good game after starting for injured teammate Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, replaced early. Would have wanted to make more impact. 6
Replacements: Luka Connor (for Ponsonby) 7; Krystal Murray (for Love, 47) Scored try, great offloads 8; Santo Taumata (for Rule, 63) 6; Joanah Ngan-Woo (for Roos, 64) World Cup-winning lineout disruption 9; Kennedy Simon (for McMenamin, 51) yellow carde 5; Hazel Tubic (for Fluhler, 73) N/A; Ayesha Leti-I’iga (for Woodman, 18) Scored two tries, great match off bench 9.
England
Ellie Kildunne Great under high ball, scored opening try with great pace and had to work hard in defence after Lydia Thompson red card. 8
Lydia Thompson Completely misjudged tackle on Woodman saw her off under 20 minutes – a reckless, dangerous manoeuvre and the right decision by referee Hollie Davidson. 2
Emily Scarratt Missed a few kicks but instrumental in first try. Good offloading and won breakdown penalty, decided to go for corner with last play of the game. 7
Holly Aitchison Kick charged down but a good distributor alongside Zoe Harrison, didn’t have a real impact on the match defensively but solid. 6
Abby Dow Did not get enough ball to display her skill, made great break in second half but could not shine as she did in the semi-final. 6
Zoe Harrison Mostly good kicks but a few went out on the full, most notably one that led to New Zealand’s winning try. 7
Lucy Packer Thrown in at the deep end, not initially named in starting 23 but late call-up played well. Controlled the ball, great England future ahead. 7
Vickii Cornborough Solid scrum skills winning valuable penalties and defensive work good. Huge stint to play almost 80 minutes, same for rest of front row. 8
Amy Cokayne Hat-trick hooker and brilliant at line-out time. Set piece was sloppy after she was replaced, massive player for her team. 9
Sarah Bern Put in crunching tackles, big carries and made some desperate metres. Great scrummaging and mauling kept England in the game. 8
Zoe Aldcroft Forced off just under half an hour into match with a HIA which she subsequently failed, played well while on. 6
Abbie Ward Ever the menace at the line-out but lost a few, including the last which sealed their defeat, great in the maul. 7
Alex Matthews Knocked on in an unlucky position, titan in defence, scrummaging skills top notch. 11 years in the shirt, dependable as always. 7
Marlie Packer Scored her sixth try of the tournament, turned over the ball at the breakdown. Stunned to see her replaced so early, good performance. 8
Sarah Hunter (capt) Replaced at half-time after what had been an impressive performance, mainly through her captaincy. Down to 14 but ahead at the break. 7
Replacements: Lark Davies (for Cokayne, 74) 5; Maud Muir (for Cornborough, 74) 5; Shaunagh Brown (for Bern, 74) 5; Cath O’Donnell (for Aldcroft, 28) 6; Poppy Cleall (for Hunter, 40) 6; Sadia Kabeya (for M Packer, 51) Huge potential for future 7; Claudia MacDonald (for L Packer) 7; Tatyana Heard (for Dow, 67) hooked off after Dow passed HIA at 78 minutes 5.
