England are crowned WXV1 champions after 33-12 win over world champions New Zealand in Auckland… as Louis Deacon’s stint as interim head coach ends in glory
- Alex Matthews scored the first of five tries as England claimed the big prize
- Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Morwenna Talling and Zoe Aldcroft all got tries
- The win ensures England will stay ahead of New Zealand at top of world rankings
England became the inaugural WXV1 champions with a 33-12 win over world champions New Zealand in Auckland.
Alex Matthews scored the first of five tries as Louis Deacon’s stint as interim head coach ended in glory.
‘I’m massively proud, they were absolutely outstanding,’ said Deacon, who will hand over the reins of England Women to former men’s forwards coach John Mitchell.
‘We’re only at the beginning of the journey. John has got a few things that he wants to put in place and we will only improve from here.’
Facing the side who beat them in last year’s World Cup final, England started quickly with tries from Matthews, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern.
England became the inaugural WXV1 champions with a 33-12 win over New Zealand
Alex Matthews (c) Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern Morwenna Talling and Zoe Aldcroft got tries
Louis Deacon’s (pictured) stint as interim head coach ended in glory in Auckland
Marlie Packer was named as the winner of World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year award
Kennedy Simon and Katelyn Vahaakolo replied, before Morwenna Talling and Zoe Aldcroft put England beyond reach.
As well as confirming them as the first winners of women’s rugby’s new global tournament, England’s victory also ensured they will stay ahead of New Zealand at the top of the world rankings.
After the match, England captain Marlie Packer was named as the winner of World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year award.
She said: ‘In every game this tournament we grew as a group and I’m super proud of that performance.’
After their World Cup final loss, England have enjoyed a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 games.
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