For the Red Roses, history repeated itself, first as tragedy, then as tragedy again. After 30 wins in a row, their run ended at the worst moment. New Zealand are world champions once more.
England had to play for more than an hour with 14 women after Lydia Thompson’s red card for a high tackle, hitting Portia Woodman face to face. They had a lineout five metres out in the final play, surely another maul marching over the line, but at the crucial juncture their super-strength failed. The Black Ferns won the ball, and the match. From behind, just as in 2017.
Hair was raised, spines tingled, crests fallen. Incredulity abounded at two relentless packs and two sides who could not catch restarts, at the
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