Leading four point the way

In the aftermath of the most successful Women's Rugby World Cup ever, we'll be looking at how each team fared overall and what they need to work on in the years ahead. First up we take a look at the sides who finished in the top four spots, New Zealand, England, Australia and France.

By John Birch and Ali Donnelly

NEW ZEALAND

Finished: 1st

How they fared:Four World Cups in a row makes it very hard to offer anything but superlatives about this side. They breezed through their pool stages brushing off all challenges with alarming ease and their comfortable win over France in the semi-finals handed them the favourites tag going into the final. That pressure, plus the knowledge that England would have the backing of a huge crowd behind them, was dealt with well as they launched waves of attack in Englands 22 right after kick off. Winning by only 3 points didnt reflect the dominance they enjoyed in the match and had they managed to keep 15 players on the park for the entire time, you suspect theyd have won by more. The best team at the tournament undoubtedly.

Areas for improvement:Discipline at the breakdown in the final was poor as they were pinged repeatedly and had three yellow cards. Fans may have complained that the referee got some of her calls wrong, but a closer inspection shows that New Zealand were simply guilty of far too many offences. Kicking at goal is also an issue they missed two straightforward kicks in the final and looked hesitant when the shots came up.

What they need: As ever, with New Zealand they simply dont play enough matches. The womens game needs its best team playing regularly representing the very best that the sport has to offer. Three test games a year should be the absolute minimum for the world champions - and with Australia showing improvement, a regular test series between the sides needs to be launched. The NPC simply has to return next year on top of that and the NZRU has got to work with the funds they have to ensure the game over there at 15 aside continues in good health.

ENGLAND

Finished: 2nd

How they fared: Englands failure to win their own World Cup will be a huge disappointment. That the best supported team in World Rugby, with the largest domestic player base, and more international experience than anyone else, could not break the Black Fern grip on the title will give some pause for thought. However, the tournament has demonstrated a level of support for womens rugby in England that even will have taken even the RFUW by surprise. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that, in the right circumstances, womens international rugby can be commercial asset which could represent a sea-change in the way the game is viewed by the RFU and potential sponsors. This could open up possibilities of an even more ambitious programme for the England team over the next four years.

Areas for improvement: In the tight games they have got to get better at taking every opportunity they get. Ok so it was only really evident in the final but playing against 13 players and not scoring will haunt them. Englands defence was amazing, the forwards superb but the speed of play out wide let them down in the final. England were unable to move the ball across the field anything like as quickly as New Zealand and that might be a concern.

What they need:The above points at one thing. Quantity of opposition is not as important as quality. England will be favourites to win the Six Nations next year again and will also you feel be well set to take the Nations Cup next summer. However this will not take England to the next level. For that next step they much have regular games against the best New Zealand. Between now and 2014 England must go on at least one tour to Australia and New Zealand, and also need to encourage both nations to come to England in return. The secondment of one or two key young players to spend a season playing rugby in New Zealand would also be invaluable.

AUSTRALIA

Finished: 3rd

How they fared:The delight and joy on the faces of Australias players when they picked up their third place rivalled that of the winners. It was a team that grew and developed visibly throughout the tournament, from the opening game which, if Wales had played for the first 20 minutes as they did for the last 60, they could well have lost to their strong performances against England and France. This was a team that learnt from their mistakes, developed and improved. Third place is an excellent return for the Australians who like New Zealand have played hardly any rugby over the past four years at 15 aside.

Areas for improvement:Overall the weakest point in the Australian team remains the forwards. Against Wales they had all kinds of problems - barely able to catch in the line-out or provide a firm base at set-pieces and this had improved immeasurably by the knock-out stages. However, compared with the speed and flair of the back line, there remains room to improve.

What they need:Matches simply more matches. The Australians returned home with no idea at all about when their next game will be, assuming they will have any at all before the next World Cup (after all, by finishing third they have already qualified). This seems astonishing and will inevitably mean that all the gains the Australians made over the three weeks of the tournament risk being lost. Given a programme of regular fixtures against the worlds leading nations Australia should be competing for the title in 2014. Without it they will only be competing to retain their 3rd place.

FRANCE

Finished: 4th

How they fared: How French supporters retain their sanity is an interesting question. The womens team is as frustrating and infuriating as its male counterpart on one day shocking, on another world beating. There seems no rhyme nor reason, no logic or sense behind this unpredictable team. Their pack was, at times, arguably the best in the tournament even New Zealand found the French maul difficult to cope with. The talent of players like Sandrine Agricole in the backs was plain to see against teams like Canada, but when France have an off day they are really poor.

Areas for improvement: Consistency!! Its difficult to see how to develop a team that plays so radically different every time they step onto a field!

What they need: See England above. France are pretty much as well provided for as England, with both the Six Nations and FIRA tournaments plus the odd overseas tour - they have plenty of rugby, though they too would benefit from playing the best in the world more than once every four years. If only the team that lost to England by a single point earlier this year could be the team that plays in every game, they might yet be playing for the highest prizes.