New Zealand wrecked England's hopes of retaining the Women's Rugby World Cup in a pulsating final at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Red Roses had high hopes of keeping an unforgettable summer of English women's sport in full bloom, following cricket World Cup success, a European Championship semi-final appearance by England's footballers and Johanna Konta becoming the first British women's singles semi-finalist since 1978.

But it was not to be as the Black Ferns overturned a seven-point interval deficit to triumph 41-32.

Prop Toka Natua led the way, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for full-back Selica Winiata (two), lock Charmaine Smith and scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge, with Cocksedge adding three conversions.

Wing Lydia Thompson scored two tries for England, in addition to a seven-point penalty try, plus a late Izzy Noel-Smith touchdown, and full-back Emily Scarratt booted two penalties and two conversions, yet New Zealand were not to be denied a fifth world title.

Some England players now face an uncertain future - Rugby Foootball Union policy means that existing 15-a-side contracts will switch to sevens for the next two years - but such debate is for another day.

England gave it everything, but they had no answer in the second half, conceding 31 points as New Zealand's superior pace and power left them reeling. </s> England will play New Zealand in the World Cup Sevens final after an impressive 29-7 win over South Africa in San Francisco.

They fell behind inside three minutes to the reigning World Sevens Series champions but responded impressively and built a 17-7 interval advantage through tries by Harry Glover, Tom Mitchell and Ruaridh McConnochie, with Mitchell adding one conversion.

England's outstanding work at the breakdown rocked their opponents and a fourth try arrived early in the second period when McConnochie crossed.

South Africa could not get into the game and Dan Norton completed a memorable victory by scoring England's fifth try.

England progress to a decider with holders New Zealand, who beat Fiji 22-17 in the other semi-final.

Joe Ravouvou gave New Zealand the early lead with a try in the corner before Fiji punished poor tackling to hit back through Semi Radradra.

New Zealand's ferocious play at the breakdown reaped its rewards when they were awarded a penalty for an infringement at a ruck, and a quick tap saw the ball spun wide quickly for Dylan Collier who dotted down to make it 10-7.

There was controversy when Fiji were awarded a second try soon afterwards through Amenoni Nasilasila, despite replays appearing to show he had put a foot in touch before scoring.

New Zealand, however, shrugged off the setback and responded with a clinical second-half performance.

Regan Ware darted through a gap for the New Zealanders' third try to make it 15-12, and then another well-worked move sent Ravouvou over in the corner for his second try of the game.

In the Challenge competition, Ireland beat Wales 27-12 to book a final date with Australia. </s> New Zealand's Selica Winiata scores a try against England during their Women's Rugby World Cup final in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — New Zealand restored its supremacy in women's rugby by relieving England of the World Cup by 41-32 in the final on Saturday.

After winning four straight Women's Rugby World Cups, beating England in three finals, the Black Ferns failed to make the semifinals in 2014 and watched England triumph in Paris.

But in benign conditions in Belfast, the New Zealanders came from 14 points down in a grinding first half to win comfortably in the end by nine.

It was only after they scored their seventh and last try, a second by fullback Selica Winiata from a cross-kick by flyhalf Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, in the 69th minute that the Black Ferns made certain of their record-extending fifth title.

New Zealand 41 (Toka Natua 3, Selica Winiata 2, Charmaine Smith, Kendra Cocksedge tries; Cocksedge 3 conversions), England 32 (Lydia Thompson 2, Isabelle Noel-Smith tries; penalty try; Emily Scarratt 2 conversions, 2 penalties). HT: 10-17 </s> Welcome to 1 NEWS NOW's live coverage of day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Watch all the action live here. Every game of the men's and women's Rugby World Cup Sevens will be live from July 21-23 on TVNZ's Duke channel - Freeview 13, Sky 23, and streaming on tvnz.co.nz.

Playing for 11th and 12th, are Fiji and China.

Brazil take the win, and 13th place. They come away with a dominant 22-0 victory over South Africa.

South Africa and Brazil play now in the match for 13th/14th.

Back to the women's draw now, and Mexico face Papua New Guinea.

England have broken the USA's hearts, coming up with a brilliant crossfield kick to see them runaway and score. They advance as 24-19 winners.

The USA have come back from 19-7 down, levelling scores at 19-all in the final minute. England looking for the winner here. No one can get the winner though - this quarter-final is going to extra time!

The USA and England will now face off in the last of the quarter-finals, the winner will face South Africa. </s> New Zealand wrecked England's hopes of retaining the Women's Rugby World Cup in a pulsating final at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Red Roses had high hopes of keeping an unforgettable summer of English women's sport in full bloom, following cricket World Cup success, a European Championship semi-final appearance by England's footballers and Johanna Konta becoming the first British women's singles semi-finalist since 1978.

But it was not to be as the Black Ferns overturned a seven-point interval deficit to triumph 41-32.

Prop Toka Natua led the way, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for full-back Selica Winiata (two), lock Charmaine Smith and scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge, with Cocksedge adding three conversions.

Wing Lydia Thompson scored two tries for England, in addition to a seven-point penalty try, plus a late Izzy Noel-Smith touchdown, and full-back Emily Scarratt booted two penalties and two conversions, yet New Zealand were not to be denied a fifth world title.

Some England players now face an uncertain future - Rugby Foootball Union policy means that existing 15-a-side contracts will switch to sevens for the next two years - but such debate is for another day.

England gave it everything, but they had no answer in the second half, conceding 31 points as New Zealand's superior pace and power left them reeling.

Both teams went into the final with unbeaten records, winning all three of their pool games prior to the semi-finals,

England boss Simon Middleton made an enforced change from the semi-final victory over France, moving Scarratt to full-back as replacement for a concussed Danielle Waterman, while Megan Jones was drafted into midfield alongside Rachel Burford.

And England blasted out of the blocks, creating immediate pressure through their forwards following a superbly placed Katy Mclean kick, and free-scoring New Zealand were immediately forced into defensive mode.

But the Black Ferns struck from their first attack when fly-half Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali kicked cleverly into space and Winiata showed England's defence a clean pair of heels for an opening try inside 10 minutes.

Scarratt suffered a knock in trying to stem the New Zealand tide, but she was okay to continue after treatment as England looked to assert themselves on the contest, and she opened England's account through a 14th-minute penalty.

New Zealand were then reduced to 14 players after flanker Sarah Goss was harshly yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Mclean, and England, having dominated early territory, knew they needed to make that advantage count.

But they duly delivered, with England's pack exerting sustained pressure near New Zealand's line before referee Joy Neville awarded a penalty try, which meant the holders led 10-5.

The Black Ferns could not escape from England's grasp, and the Red Roses struck again nine minutes before half-time when centre Rachael Burford broke through in midfield and Mclean sent Thompson over via a supremely timed pass.

Scarratt's touchline conversion underlined England's supremacy, and New Zealand had it all to do, with the final beginning to drift away from them.

They responded, though, right on cue, with Natua crashing over from close range and England's advantage was trimmed to seven points at half-time, with the Red Roses leading 17-10.

And it got worse for England within five minutes of the restart, as New Zealand forward pressure resulted in a second try for Natua, with Cocksedge adding the conversion and the Black Ferns starting to enjoy considerable momentum.

A Scarratt penalty - via the post - put England back in front, yet it proved short-lived as New Zealand stormed back upfield and Smith touched down for her team's fourth try, with Cocksedge adding the conversion for a 24-20 lead.

The game now had no pattern to it whatsoever, and England went back in front when Thompson sprinted over from 40 metres out, only for New Zealand to hit back almost immediately as Natua completed her hat-trick and Cocksedge converted for a six-point lead.

Cocksedge then added a try, and England could find no way back, their World Cup campaign falling at the final hurdle and world-ranked number one nation New Zealand underlining that status in style. </s> England put up a brave fight in the Women's Rugby World Cup final, but New Zealand were worthy winners for a fifth time.

Toka Natua scored a hat-trick as New Zealand came from behind to regain the Women's Rugby World Cup with a 41-32 victory over defending champions England at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Black Ferns won four World Cups in a row between 1998 and 2010, beating England in the final three times, but it was the Red Roses who triumphed at the last edition of the event three years ago.

Another England win appeared likely on Saturday when they responded to Selica Winiata's early try by opening up a 17-5 lead after 33 minutes, aided by a yellow card for Sarah Goss.

However, New Zealand came roaring back to secure a fifth title, with prop Natua doing much of the damage as she crossed on three occasions.

Kendra Cocksedge and Charmaine Smith also touched down for New Zealand, who were much the stronger in the second period.

Touchdowns from Lydia Thompson (2) and Izzy Noel-Smith, in addition to a penalty try, ultimately proved in vain for England. </s> England have snuffed out the USA's chances of a Rugby World Cup Sevens win on home soil in San Francisco, coming away with a thrilling 24-19 golden point quarter-final win.

The hosts got out to an early lead, with Madison Hughes scoring after just seconds, only for a double to Dan Norton and another try to Oliver Lindsay-Hague pushed England ahead at the break.

The USA didn't go down without a fight though, with Folau Niua and Perry Baker both crossing over for tries, levelling scores at 19-19.

Extra time and golden point followed, which England claimed in style.

Phil Burgess latched onto a cross-field kick, running away to score in the corner, sending England to the semi-finals.

England will next face Fiji, while New Zealand and Fiji play in the second semi-final. </s> Watch all the action live here. Every game of the men's and women's Rugby World Cup Sevens will be live from July 21-23 on TVNZ's Duke channel - Freeview 13, Sky 23, and streaming on tvnz.co.nz.

TRY! A little too late from the US as Lauren Doyle scores a consolation try after NZ secure their spot in the women's final.

TRY! Portia Woodman scores the decisive try after Sarah Goss creates the space for the speedster to score close to the goal posts.

TRY! New Zealand go end-to-end with Gayle Broughton side-stepping her way through USA's defence before powering her way over the try-line to give New Zealand the lead.

TRY! It is a tight contest and New Zealand's Ruby Tui scores a much needed try for the Black Ferns just before the break. Tyla Nathan-Wong misses her shot at goal from the sideline.

TRY! Naya Tapper scores her second try of the match, brushing off New Zealand's star speedster Portia Woodman with ease and the home team hit the front.

TRY! Naya Tapper strikes back for the US, opting to go around the New Zealand defenders - she shows some great wheels to beat some of New Zealand's best defenders. The conversion is good and the scores are level.

TRY! Michaela Blyde dots down under the goal posts scoring the first try of the second semi-final. The conversion is good from Tyla Nathan-Wong.

TRY! Audrey Anne Cecile Ciofani scores the match winner to secure France's spot in the women's final. The Black Ferns are now up against USA.

TRY! Australia make a great steal at line-out time and Evania Pelite slices through the French defence and scores the first try of the first semi-final. The conversion is good.

Another close match which goes right down to the wire. Ireland upset Russia and manage to hold them out to get a 20-15 win.

The crowd comes to life as Japan come from behind to win their Challenge quarter-final against heavy favourites Fiji.

Papua New Guinea come up short as they leave their comeback too late. Brazil secure their first win of the tournament. The New Zealand women will take on USA at 7.04am (NZ time) in the championship semi-final.

South Africa were simply the better side wth Mexico barely getting a touch in the second half. Up next Papua New Guinea take on Brazil.

South Africa run in three tries in the first and the women from Mexico are just not getting anything go there way. South Africa are just too big and too strong. </s> England lost 32-41 to New Zealand in the Women's Rugby World Cup final at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Former Hartpury College students Sarah Bern, who will play for Gloucester-Hartpury next season, Megan Jones, Natasha Hunt, Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews were in the England side.

Selica Winiata’s try after eight minutes gave the Black Ferns the lead but England were on the scoreboard through Emily Scarratt’s penalty.After Black Ferns flanker Sarah Goss was sent to the sin bin for her tackle on Katy Mclean, England took full advantage and got their first try from a five metre scrum when the referee awarded a penalty try.A Rachael Burford break eventually set up Lydia Thompson who finished out wide, but Toka Natua’s score for the Kiwis meant a 17-10 half-time lead for the Red Roses .Natua’s second levelled the game up before another Scarratt penalty edged England ahead, but Charmaine Smith’s try pushed the Black Ferns in front again.Thompson’s stunning second score, when she raced in down the right touchline, restored England's lead but the New Zealand prop Natua got her hat-trick, and then Kendra Cocksedge and a second from Winiata secured the win and their fifth Women's Rugby World Cup title, despite Izzy Noel-Smith's late score for the Red Roses.





England Women head coach Simon Middleton said: “I couldn’t be prouder as the girls gave everything they could. There was no shortage of heart, energy and passion.



“We just couldn’t get enough possession in the second-half to be able to turn the game how we wanted.



“We’ve had a fantastic year with the things we achieved, we pulled up short tonight but we’ve been everywhere and played everyone and until tonight we’ve been successful.



“I thought it was an amazing occasion for the game with the energy in the stadium and it was fantastic game for the spectators to watch”



England Women captain Sarah Hunter added: "The score line suggests a fantastic game of rugby; I’m not sure a Women’s Rugby World Cup final has seen a score like that before.



"We came here with one goal and we have just pulled up a little bit short and fair play to New Zealand they really took it to us.



"Rugby is a really hard game to play without the ball and in that second-half we did not have the ball; that was partly our fault and partly the pressure they put on us.



"Gutted is an understatement but we will move on from this. 



"The support back home has been phenomenal and I can’t thank people enough."
New Zealand defeats England 33–12 in the final to win the 2018 men's Rugby World Cup Sevens.