 believes the gulf to the southern hemisphere sides is not what it was. 'We've clearly narrowed the gap and I genuinely believe that on another day we would've won,' said Cunningham, who played in the England team beaten 52-4 by the Kiwis at the same stage in 2017. While England players juggle day jobs, most of New Zealand's squad play in the largely professional women's NRL in Australia. 'We've done so much hard work without being professional, and I still think we had the ability to do it,' said the 30-year-old. 'But you can't avoid the difference it would make if we were semi-professional or professional, because we would have the time, resource and ability to invest. The only consolation is that the sport will be in a better place for what we've done.' Cunningham admitted she was 'absolutely devastated' by Richard's resignation, which was confirmed by the RFL yesterday. She said: 'Craig has done so much for this squad as a person as well as a coach, and he will be a big miss.' MORE : Kyle Sinckler ready for 'big boy' rugby when New Zealand visit Twickenham MORE : England coach Simon Middleton 'hugely positive' despite Rugby World Cup loss For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Tears spilled from Jodie Cunningham’s two black eyes as she reflected on England’s heartbreaking exit from the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
A crowd of more than 7,000 in York watched New Zealand’s blend of power and professionalism prove just too much for Cunningham’s side, whose 20-6 semi-final defeat extended a sequence of World Cup defeats to the Kiwi Ferns stretching back to the tournament’s inauguration in 2000.
Craig Richards’ announced his exit as coach in the dressing room afterwards but Cunningham (right) believes the gulf to the southern hemisphere sides is not what it was.
‘We’ve clearly narrowed the gap and I genuinely believe that on another day we would’ve won,’ said Cunningham, who played in the England team beaten 52-4 by the Kiwis at the same stage in 2017.