England retain WXV1 title

New Zealand 39-14 France

The Black Ferns started the match winless and with only one victory in six years against France but took the lead in the eighth minute as Ayesha Leti-I’iga powered her way over the whitewash.

New Zealand doubled their advantage shortly afterwards as Vahaakolo scored the first of her three tries, however, France cut their deficit to just three points in the 18th minute as Lina Queyroi converted Emeline Gros’ score.

Alana Bremner went over for the third New Zealand try midway through the first half but France were again able to keep in touch as co-captain Manaé Feleu went over and Queyroi added the extras to make the score 15-14.

Vahaakolo’s brilliant second try on the stroke of half-time gave the Black Ferns some breathing space and then two tries within 10 minutes of the restart took the game away from Les Bleues.

Prolific winger Vahaakolo completed her hat-trick in the 44th minute to take her test tally to 19 in only 14 matches before Kaipo Olsen-Baker went over five minutes later.

Crucially, Hannah King found her range from the kicking tee to convert both and extend the Black Ferns’ lead to 20 points.

With Séraphine Okemba in the sin bin Tanya Kalounivale added a seventh try in the 57th minute, and that is how the score remained at full-time.

Canada 12-21 England

For the second match in a row, England fell behind early on as Justine Pelletier found a way over the line following some phase play from her forwards.

Alex Tessier was unable to add the conversion, though, and that allowed the Red Roses to take the lead for the first time less than five minutes later.

Number eight Alex Matthews punched her way up to the line and as the ball was recycled, tighthead prop Maud Muir burrowed over the line and twisted to score.

Helena Rowland converted but with defences well on top, that is the way the score remained at half-time.

The defending champions were reduced to 14 players four minutes into the second half as Ellie Kildunne was shown a yellow card.

Canada eventually took advantage in the 51st minute as a fine team move created the space for Tessier to slide over, and the captain converted her own try.

England were only momentarily back up to 15 players, though, as Bo Westcombe-Evans was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on.

However, it was the Red Roses who scored next, Sarah Bern burrowing over from close range before Rowland added the conversion to edge her side back in front.

And despite some intense Canadian pressure, England managed to see out the victory; Player of the Match Aldcroft going over in the final play and Rowland adding her third conversion to deny the hosts a losing bonus point.