The England captain Sarah Hunter insists the Red Roses have nothing to fear from New Zealand after reaching the Women’s World Cup final with a gutsy 20-3 victory over France. Tries from the 20-year-old prop Sarah Bern and Megan Jones sealed their place in the final, having faced down a ferocious first-half onslaught from France. England are the defending champions but before that lost three consecutive finals to the Black Ferns, who overcame the USA 45-12 in the other semi-final.
England, however, claimed a first away win over New Zealand for 16 years in June, but Hunter believes past meetings will count for little on Saturday. “I am ecstatic to make another World Cup final,” she said.
“This squad is very different. We went down there and got a fantastic result, but as we said before the tournament titles, games and form go out the window and don’t count for anything. The slate is wiped clean for the final on Saturday. Past finals count for nothing.”
England are likely to be without their full-back Danielle Waterman – the only member of the squad to have started all four matches in the tournament so far - after she failed to reappear for the second half, having gone off for a head injury assessment.
Either Emily Scarratt, England’s star turn in the final three years ago, or Jones is set to fill the void and Hunter has every confidence in whoever steps up. “There is 100% belief that whoever starts or comes off the bench we will be able to do it,” she said. “It is going to take another step up on Saturday but we have the belief and the strength in the squad to go and do that.”
Shortly after England’s victory, ITV confirmed it will broadcast the final on its main channel in the prime-time Saturday night slot and Hunter added: “We want to showcase our sport on the widest audience as possible and to get prime-time support is great.”
