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TRY IT! New Zealand 0-7 England (Kildunne, 3′)
Dow comes off the wing and passes to Thompson who does well to keep it alive. England have the advantage and run it out with Kildunne crashing! Scarratt gives a great kick for the extras. Updated at 06:35 GMT 2 mins: The kick-off is won by Thompson and Harrison takes the first kick. New Zealand decide to run it but England overturn it through M Packer. Harrison takes another kick but Holmes does well under pressure not to give possession back. The home side play it from deep here but Dement strikes and England have the front line out, it’s clear and England attack.
Inception! New Zealand 0-0 England
Five weeks, 25 games and only one game to play. In the next 80 minutes we will know the winners of the 2021 tournament, here we go! I cry just seeing the crowd, what an occasion! As cheesy as it sounds, whoever takes the trophy, women’s rugby is the sure winner. The players are out and the anthems will be in full flow and the haka will follow! It all boils down to this! The nerves are so real, I have no idea how the players feel. England manager Simon Middleton told ITV: “Exciting. I think everyone is excited. We hope it’s a great game. We focus on the job at hand.” And he added on L Packer’s late substitution: “We kind of knew all week, Leanne was struggling. She’s tough, but you can’t send someone to 70%. We’ve been doing it all week. We expected that it might happen.” England are favorites for this one, but it will be such a tough test to get New Zealand in their own backyard. So much suspense, 15 minutes to go… Catch up on our previews for Saturday’s massive match at Eden Park. The opening montage made me cry, this morning is going to be emotional… Here are some stats to get you warmed up for it! England have scored 239 points so far in the tournament and conceded just 50. The Black Ferns, meanwhile, have scored 234 points and conceded 56. Eden Park is set to be sold-out for this final with 40,000 fans expected to be there. If that many supporters turn up, which looks likely to fill up before kick-off, it will break the women’s rugby union match attendance record. An amazing achievement and shows what an impact this tournament has had. World Rugby have confirmed that if England can beat New Zealand in today’s final, they will receive the highest ever rating given to an international rugby team in the world rankings! I’m nervous, excited, emotional – you name it, I’m feeling it! How do you feel before the final? Let me know via Twitter, @rendellx or email. The third and fourth spots were decided earlier today with France demolishing Canada 36-0. The score doesn’t reflect the fight that Canada showed, it would be great to see a professional team before the next World Cup. France players celebrate after Canada’s win. Photo: Michael Bradley/AFP/Getty Images Updated at 06:15 GMT All eyes will be on England’s Lucy Packer in this final, a match she wasn’t even benched for until today! Leanne Infante is injured and Packer will start with Claudia MacDonald on the bench as cover. Many people said Simon Middleton was wrong not to bring Mo Hunt to New Zealand in case that was exactly the case – a huge opportunity for the 22-year-old. Team news is here! New Zealand make one change from their semi-final. Charmaine McMenamin comes in at No.8 for the injured Liana Mikaele-Tu’u. New Zealand starting XV: Renee Holmes; Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman; Ruahei Demant (captain), Kendra Cocksedge; Phillipa Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaukani Roos, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner, Sarah Hirini, Charmaine McMenamin. Subs: Luke Connor, Krystal Murray, St. John’s, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-I’iga. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images England, meanwhile, made four changes to their starting side. Ellie Kildunne comes in at full-back with Lydia Thompson back on the wing and Holly Aitchison at 12. A late change to the side sees Leanne Infante out injured with Lucy Packer starting – a huge test for the young scrum-half. England starting XV: Ellie Kildunne; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Holly Aitchison, Abby Dow; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer; Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter (captain). Subs: Lark Davies, Maud Muir, Shaunagh Brown, Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Sadia Kabeya, Claudia MacDonald, Tatyana Heard. Photo: Fiona Goodall/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images Good morning and welcome to the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England. It’s finally here after five weeks of exciting competition, and we have the final game that many fans predicted before the tournament began. Hosts New Zealand have never lost a World Cup final in which they have appeared, but favorites England will look to break their record and add to theirs this morning. If they claim the trophy, it will be their 31st win on the bounce. But they face stiff competition in the Black Ferns, who have been formidable in this tournament! And if the two thrilling semi-finals are anything to go by, we’re in for a treat! Squad news has been announced so stay tuned for updates before kick-off at 6.30am!
