Middleton out to end Kiwi agony
THE ‘ desperate’ pain of England’s 2017 World Cup final defeat by New Zealand is something Simon Middleton will never forget and is determined not to feel again.
Since that 41-32 loss five years ago, his England side have become the women’s game’s dominant force. Their semi-final win over Canada was their 30th successive victory and set up another meeting with New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
This time Middleton is hoping for a different outcome to 2017.
‘To be honest, it was a pretty desperate feeling and one you don’t want to experience too many times,’ Middleton said.
‘It’s a case of having something so close it is in your grasp and then it is gone. You know how much of a difference it would make to the game and to the players if you succeed.
‘This is exactly the same. What winning here would do is just accelerate rugby like the women winning the Euros has accelerated football. Everybody wants it badly. It’s how you handle that.’
England were given a real fright by Canada in their semi-final but did just enough to inch home. Two brilliant finishes from wing Abby Dow were the game’s decisive moments.
New Zealand also had a semifinal scare and had fly-half Caroline Drouin kicked a late penalty, England would have been facing France. In the end, New Zealand escaped 25-24 winners.
‘The way the Black Ferns have turned round in the last year is phenomenal,’ said Middleton. ‘That shows the momentum they have got. It is something we will have to wrest away from them.’
England got the better of New Zealand twice last year, winning 56- 15 and 43- 12. But those games came on the back of the pandemic. Since then, the Black Ferns have improved significantly and now have home advantage. The 50,000- capacity Eden Park has sold out for the final.
‘There are a lot of players starting to creak and everyone is getting a little frazzled,’ said Middleton, whose future after this World Cup is uncertain. ‘It is about what you’ve got inside. I just want the team to win and then we will sit down and talk about whatever that looks like after.’
New Zealand will not die wondering in the final. Their freeflowing, attacking brand of rugby is a real contrast to England’s power and set-piece game.
‘It’s a romantic ending and I wouldn’t want it any other way,’ said star Black Ferns back Ruby Tui. ‘You have to beat the best to be the best and I’ve got massive respect for England.
‘They have led the way in professionalism but it was hard watching the end-of-year tour losses in 2021. I wasn’t playing but I took that personally. If we do what we are capable of I don’t need to think about the outcome.’
England are set to be without Helena Rowland for the final after she suffered an ankle injury against Canada. Ellie Kildunne is primed to step in at full back.