New Zealand is heavily favoured to win its third successive Women’s World Cup rugby crown when it meets England in the final on Sunday at the Commonwealth Stadium.
New Zealand’s Black Ferns have won 13 straight World Cup matches, including defeats of the United States in the 1998 final in Amsterdam, and a 19-9 win over England in the 2002 final in Barcelona.
Five of the Black Ferns are appearing in their third World Cup, including captain and hooker Farah Palmer, who could get to hoist her third championship trophy.
The other third-timers with Palmer, who also will be starters on Sunday, were lock Monalisa Codling, flanker Rochelle Martin, flyhalf Anna Richards, and centre Exia Edwards. Five more in the match 22 are playing in their second cup.
After defeating Canada, Samoa, Scotland, and France, the Black Ferns were feeling the pressure to win.
”The first time [in 1998] was all a bit of a surprise to us and we didn’t quite know what to expect when we got home and we got a huge standing ovation,” Palmer said. ”Second time a lot more pressure, so there is a lot more pressure the third time around as well.
”I think everyone back home is expecting us to bring back the cup so we have got to deliver.”
England has beaten the United States, South Africa, France, and Canada to reach its fourth final in five World Cups.
It won its only Cup in 1994, and hopes to match its men’s team, who became world champion in 2003.
First, England have to beat the New Zealanders for the first time since 2001. The Black Ferns have lost only twice in 15 years.
”To beat the Black Ferns, primary source of possession is crucial and also how we defend,” England coach Geoff Richards said.
”The battle up front is where most games are won and lost so if we can really put pressure on them and get into their faces then let’s see how they handle things under pressure.”
Seven of England’s European champion squad are set to retire after the final, including centre Sue Day, who leads the tournament try-scorers with six at her third World Cup.
On Saturday, Australia, up 10-0 at halftime, toughed out an 18-14 win over Ireland for seventh place, Spain endured a scoreless second half to hold on and beat Samoa 10-5 for ninth, and Kazakhstan blanked South Africa 36-0 for 11th. – Sapa-AP