Sarah Hunter, England captain, was overcome with tears after their disappointing World Cup final loss by New Zealand. However, the main emotion she expressed afterwards wasn’t sadness. It was pride.
Pride in leading a team who gave their all in search of greatness, for 80 minutes.
They were proud to have been part of a historic night for women’s rugby, and women’s sport in general.
England’s footballers enjoyed their moment of glory in this summer and the Red Roses knew that it was their turn.
They could not bring home the cup, unlike the Lionesses. They have proved their point, just as their footballing counterparts.
It is impossible to ignore the quality of Rugby World Cup final. There were eleven tries. The game seemed to have been played many times before the record crowd of 42,579 was stunned by another U-turn.
With nine minutes left, New Zealand seemed certain to win as they held a three point lead.
England was able to score a line out, having already scored 24 of their 38 previous attempts with that weapon. Although the clock was ticking in red, there was still time to add one.
It didn’t work this time. Joanah Ngan Woo of New Zealand jumped the highest. And, just like they did in 2017 as well as in three other finals, the Black Ferns broke English hearts.
Despite yet another defeat, the Red Roses see that they are part of history.
Abbie Ward, one the leaders of the often potent line-out, said “Let’s use this to launch women’s rugby into another dimension.”
Captain Hunter was more reflective than anyone else, having earned more Test caps (140) than any other male or woman international.
Hunter, regardless of how many World Cups won, is an inspirational British athlete who has found the strength to compete in the current sport.
England leads the pack in professionalism with full-time contracts in place since 2019, while New Zealand joined them in 2022.
She stated that nations cannot expect to invest in their teams now that they have seen women’s rugby play in a final before 40,000 people.
“Hopefully that will inspire other nations to follow our lead. We need to invest and create a fair playing environment for women’s soccer.”
Of course, it isn’t all about positivity and pride.
Three players were left with serious head injuries, displaying the darker side of rugby. After a collision, England wing Lydia Thompson was sent to the stands and received a red card. Portia Woodman was the first.
Woodman failed the head injury assessment. Wayne Smith, New Zealand’s director of rugby, said that Woodman didn’t remember much about the game.
England lock Zoe Aldcroft, wing Abby Dow and wing Zoe Aldcroft were the next to be expelled. However, she was able to return after passing the assessment.
There are also questions about why England’s three additional years of professionalism didn’t get them to the top. Smith’s strategy may hold the key to Smith’s success.
Smith is known for his smarts and has helped New Zealand’s men win two World Cup titles. One of them was on home soil.
After a disastrous cultural review that led to a coaching shakeup, the 65-year-old retired to help the Black Ferns. Now, he is back to living a slow life.
Smith said that New Zealand had been in preparation for England for six weeks and had developed a chaotic style of play to fight the Red Roses’ forwards.
His plan was successful and he experienced “the most remarkable rugby moment” in his career.
No one had ever paid for a ticket to see the Black Ferns of New Zealand before this World Cup.
Over 40,000 people chanted their names when they lifted the trophy.
Smith stated that Smith had never imagined that in 100 years, he would be standing in Eden Park with 40,000 people chanting “Black Ferns”.
“Something ignited the country around women’s rugby and it’s up to us to make it happen. It is important that we make it count for seven- and eight-year-olds, who when they go to highschool, have no coach or team.
Smith recognized the potential for such an exciting last offer, just like Hunter and asked that New Zealand capitalize.
“What worries us is if you don’t accelerate ahead now, then you’ve got highly-professionalised French and English team,” he said. “You have some of these northern hemisphere teams. We have to keep up with the pack.”
England’s professionalism might not have produced the result they desired this time but they will still hope for the best with Twickenham behind them when they host the 2025 World Cup final.
Middleton wouldn’t be drawn on the question of whether he will be still leading the side. He was content to speak about pride.
While it is not much consolation for England to lose their fifth World Cup final match against New Zealand, playing their part in this match was an achievement nonetheless.
Middleton declared, “I couldn’t be prouder” of the players.
“I could not have been more happy about that performance. Your World Cup must move the game forward. If this doesn’t move the game forward, then something is wrong. It will, I am certain.
