Black Ferns have final mountain to conquer

The Black Ferns found a way to defeat France but know another almighty test stands between them and a sixth Rugby World Cup title in the occasion of a lifetime for women’s rugby at Eden Park.

England, on the back of accelerating their professional women’s rugby programme after losing the last World Cup final in 2017 to the Black Ferns in Belfast, have won 30 matches on the trot since 2019 and stormed to their world No 1 ranking.

However, failing to hit 31 and not winning their third World Cup title would be galling for England after becoming the game’s greatest team, who have long craved for a decider of this scale with the Black Ferns in Auckland.

Their winning streak is a record for an international rugby team – England and the All Blacks are level on 18 successive victories in the men’s game – and Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith said his English counterpart, Simon Middleton, doesn’t get the credit he deserves for such a phenomenal run.

Form favours England – they thrashed an underprepared Black Ferns team 43-12 and 56-15 on last year’s northern tour – but World Cups are different.

History favours the Black Ferns, who have beaten the Red Roses in all four of their previous World Cup final meetings in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017.

Still, whoever handles the pressure and wins the physical battle in

tonight’s latest chapter in one of the game’s great rivalries should, ultimately, be victorious to conclude the first women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

England captain Sarah Hunter said it’s ‘‘the biggest game in women’s rugby ever’’.

Hunter is the most-capped player in the history of women’s rugby after her England debut in 2007. Tonight’s final will be her 140th test.

Few know more about the game’s struggle for prominence after decades of neglect from its governing bodies around the world.

She is not alone.

Kendra Cocksedge, the mostcapped Black Fern, will play her 68th and final test tonight after 15 years with the reigning world champions, who have only been professional for the first time this season.

‘‘It’s been a slow process, and it’s finally got there,’’ Cocksedge said. ‘‘I feel privileged to have been part of the amateur side as well as the professional because I feel like I’ve been able to experience it all.’’

Eden Park is expected be sold out, with another record crowd of more 40,000, in their fifth World Cup final which will be a classic clash of styles – the Black Ferns’ attacking game against the formidable English forwards who have been the cornerstone of their success.

Ruby Tui, one of the faces of the tournament, switched from sevens to 15s and has been outstanding for the Black Ferns at right wing or fullback.

She summed up a time when the game was barely recognised as recently as a decade ago, comparing it to tonight’s final.

‘‘Nobody knows who the Black Ferns are, nobody knows what they look like, nobody follows women’s rugby, we’re told we’ll be never be paid, we’re not giving you Eden Park for the World Cup because you’re not going to sell it out, and we’re told women’s rugby doesn’t matter,’’ Tui said.

‘‘And here we are. Eden Park is sold out, bro.’’

In a tournament with recordbreaking crowds, greater engagement and public interest, and unprecedented domestic support, Tui said its most memorable moment was ‘‘yet to come’’.

The rival coaches this week indicated the other team is under greater pressure to perform.

Smith, whose remarkable career could end tonight, said it was the easiest week of the World Cup because they could focus everything on their last dance.

‘‘It’s a time to cherish for sure and there are a lot of emotions that come up as you end a big tournament like this,’’ Smith said.

‘‘We’re going to have fun and enjoy the journey like we have this whole tournament.’’