The last lineout of the World Cup final was an agonising moment for the Red Roses. Their pain was to prove the Black Ferns’ ecstasy as England’s primary weapon of choice, their all-conquering catch-and-drive routine, was defused. New Zealand competed at the front, stole possession and with it won a sixth World Cup.
Take the partisan feelings out of what was a turbocharged occasion and the lingering, long-term emotion was, dare I say it, relief. This was a game full of blood and thunder. A red card and a clattering occasion, with England dominating the collisions. And with that, the capacity to control territory. Turnovers, penalties. Kicks to the corner? Plenty of them. In fact, not even to the corner. The Red Roses drove over
© Times Newspapers Limited 2022.
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.