Tue, Sep 19, 2006 page18

• Black Ferns retain World Cup

  UNSTOPPABLE The Kiwi women defeated a determined, experienced England side through solid defense and greater skill with the ball in hand

  • AP
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  New Zealand won a third-straight women's rugby World Cup crown when it fended off England 25-17 in the final at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday.

  The Black Ferns scored four tries to two but England closed within three in the 77th minute, and not until a try in injury time by fullback Amiria Marsh did the New Zealanders start celebrating.

  They also beat England in the 2002 final in Barcelona, and captain Farah Palmer got to raise the trophy for a third time in her last match for the Black Ferns. They have lost only twice in 15 years, and not since 2001.

  

  England's Sue Day, center, is tackled by New Zealand's Linda Itunu, left, and an unidentified teammate in the first half of the Women's Rugby World Cup gold medal final at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday.

  PHOTO: AP

  "I felt this final was a lot tougher than the last," Palmer said. "We were on defense much more than in previous World Cups. England were hitting us really hard and it was an intense match."

  "We put a lot of pressure on ourselves because we have high standards. We know everyone is working at how to beat us. People at home expect a win, but that's why we play an elite sport. We love the pressure," Palmer said.

  Seven of the England side, the European champions, were set to retire, and bowed out disappointed but satisfied.

  

  Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers deliver the Women's Rugby World Cup to the podium after the Black Ferns defeated England in the Women's Rugby World Cup Final at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday.

  PHOTO: AFP

  "We gave everything we could. New Zealand never gave up," England captain Jo Yapp said. "We'll look back and say it was a good final. Our ability to keep going under pressure and the pressure we put on them was really great. We never gave up for 80 minutes. We always believed we could do it and that belief was there until that final try."

  After both sides kicked over a penalty, New Zealand claimed the first try just before halftime, when Marsh's deft crosskick was collected by flanker Melissa Ruscoe, who offloaded to lock Monalisa Codling to score.

  In the first minute after the break, Ruscoe set up winger Stephanie Mortimer to stretch the lead to 15-3.

  "The key moment in the match for us was coming out in the second half to score right away," Palmer said. "It really lifted our spirits because our call at halftime was to be patient. We've been used to scoring on breakaways and we needed to set up some phases. It's hard to be patient, but it's very important."

  England's forward strength earned a penalty try but New Zealand lock Victoria Heighway was driven over from a lineout 10 minutes from time and the result seemed certain.

  However, loose forward Helen Clayton's converted try soon after entering the match gave England hope of forcing extra time until Marsh finished off a Mortimer break and sealed New Zealand's 14th straight win in World Cup play.

  "The other countries are getting better and England was disrupting our ball," New Zealand coach Jed Rowlands said. "We had to adjust at halftime, which is a testament to the higher standards in the game."

  As in 2002, too, France defeated Canada 17-8 for third place.

  Scores:

  New Zealand 25 (Monalisa Codling, Stephanie Mortimer, Victoria Heighway, Amiria Marsh tries; Emma Jensen conversion, penalty), England 17 (Helen Clayton try, penalty try; Karen Andrew conversion, penalty, Shelley Rae conversion). Halftime: 10-3.
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