New Zealand have recorded a thrilling 34-31 victory over England in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup in front of a record crowd at Eden Park.
A topsy-turvy, nail-biting contest ultimately saw the Black Ferns edge past the world's number-one ranked side to retain the trophy, maintaining their 100% record in World Cup finals in the process.
England went into the match on a world-record run of 30 successive Test victories, and had the chance to steal a stunning victory in the dying stages, despite having been a woman down since the 18th minute.
However, the decision to go for a last-gasp lineout - which had been England's main weapon throughout their incredible winning streak - ultimately backfired as New Zealand stole the ball and kicked it out to claim a dramatic victory.
The Red Roses had the chance to take the game to extra time with a simple penalty but instead chose to go for the win - a decision they repeated again moments later when awarded another penalty from the subsequent maul.
On that occasion they telegraphed the throw to the front, though, allowing New Zealand to steal in and kick the ball out for the win.
England had not lost a match since 2019 - against New Zealand - but fell short in their quest to win a third World Cup crown as they were beaten in the final for the sixth time in the nine previous editions of the tournament.
Five of those final defeats have come at the hands of New Zealand - all in the last six World Cups - and today's result leaves England still waiting for their first World Cup victory over the Black Ferns.
New Zealand, meanwhile, lift the World Cup for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments, extending their period of dominance by the narrowest of margins.
The 2022 trophy may go down as the most memorable of the lot, though, having won it on home soil for the first time in front of a record 40,000-strong crowd at the home of New Zealand rugby, Eden Park.
The hosts were aided by Lydia Thompson's red card for a high tackle after only 18 minutes, but England performed admirably with 14 on the field and were ahead until the 72nd minute, when Ayesha Leti-I'iga went over in the corner.
The match-winning score came after the TMO had overturned an on-field decision, gifting New Zealand a lineout after ruling that an England kick went out on the full without a New Zealand touch.
The Red Roses were 26-19 ahead at the interval, but fatigue perhaps set in during the second half as New Zealand were finally able to make the numerical advantage pay.
England's only score in the second 40 came through Amy Cokayne's hat-trick try, whereas New Zealand went over three times after the interval, through Stacey Fluhler, Krystal Murray and Leti-I'ga.
Despite England's valiant efforts after the red card, there is no doubt that it changed the game, with the Red Roses having raced into a 14-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes courtesy of early tries from Ellie Kildunne and Cokayne's first.
All 34 of New Zealand's points came after Thompson's red, with Georgia Ponsonby and Amy Rule going over in the first half in addition to Leti-I'iga's first of the game.
Marlie Packer was England's other try-scorer, but their night ultimately ended in more World Cup final heartbreak and much of the post-match spotlight will focus on two particularly costly moments - the red card and the late lineout call which backfired. body check tags ::
