, resulting in a yellow card for the replacement prop and a penalty for France - which Drouin sent agonisingly wide as the hosts held out. France centre Vernier declined to blame Drouin, saying the team could have won earlier. "We are so proud of us today," she said. "We should have been better all the game, we should have been better in defence." New Zealand, winners of five of the last six World Cups, now meet England in a repeat of the last final in 2017. "It was an unbelievable ending, really," New Zealand coach Wayne Smith said. "I thought it was gone, but it wasn't gone. It's there and we've got a chance next week."){kind=link}
The Black Ferns, winners of five of the last six World Cups, now meet England in a repeat of the last final in 2017
Holders New Zealand survived a last-minute missed penalty from France to book their place in the World Cup final against England with a 25-24 win in Auckland.
After the Red Roses had earlier seen off Canada, it was time for the Black Ferns to take centre stage at Eden Park.
Hosts New Zealand, though, were pushed all the way by a determined French side, with Caroline Drouin missing a penalty in the 80th minute which would have sealed a memorable victory.
France raced into a 10-0 lead following an early penalty by fly-half Drouin and then a try from Marine Menager.