Sarah Rendell
Best player Sophie de Goede. The Canada forward was impressive and versatile throughout. The fact she had just returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury was mindblowing.
Best match New Zealand v Canada. Many had expected the semi-final to be a close match but Canada blew the world champions away. The sheer pace of their game was unmatched and Justine Pelletier was phenomenal.
Best try Fiji’s Kolora Lomani v Canada. Ellie Kildunne’s knockout-phase tries need an honourable mention but Lomani’s set York’s stadium alight. It was a sumptuous score which involved almost the entire Fiji team.
Breakout star Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The 18-year-old Black Fern almost broke the record for the most tries in a single World Cup: she scored 11, only two fewer than Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in 2017. The teenager has a bright future.
Unsung hero Hannah Botterman. The England prop deserved at least one player-of-the-match award for her efforts in this tournament. Fronted up in defence, at the breakdown and in the set piece.
Favourite moment Teams dancing with each other. A key example was after England’s pool match against Samoa. The two sides came together in a huddle and then some players danced alongside each other. So wholesome and so rugby.
This World Cup was… The turning point for women’s rugby. The momentum of this tournament cannot be slowed down. More investment must be made and hopefully the crowds will continue to come back at an international and club level.
In 2029 I hope… There is more competition between all of the teams at the tournament. For that to happen, nations must put money into programmes and get more games on the calendar – the WXV series will help.
Robert Kitson
Best player Ellie Kildunne. Whenever England needed a surge of electricity, “Special K” delivered. Deceptively quick and immune to pressure. Plus an honourable mention for Canada’s Sophie de Goede, aka Sophie de Greate.
Best match New Zealand v Canada, semi-final. The match that underlined the rising quality of the women’s game. The Canadians’ fast-paced rugby, commitment and offloading skills blew New Zealand away in an eye-opening Friday night encounter in Bristol.
Best try Ellie Kildunne. Her try in the final against Canada again displayed Kildunne’s gliding elusiveness and instinctive rugby brain. Give her half a yard of space and there are few better players to watch, male or female.
Breakout star Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The New Zealander is only 18 but clearly a talent with the potential to be around for years. Quick, predatory and a useful goalkicker as well.
Unsung hero Rachel Malcolm. The Scotland captain spoke out before the tournament about the “disruptive” delay in confirming her players’ contractual futures, and also spoke impressively after her team’s quarter-final defeat against England.
Favourite moment The first half of South Africa v New Zealand in Exeter. The pumped-up South Africans threw everything at the Black Ferns and, in the process, transformed perceptions of women’s rugby in their homeland.
This World Cup was… Everything the organisers hoped for and more. I’m still trying – and still failing – to find anybody who attended a game and didn’t enjoy the experience.
In 2029 I hope… More than a couple of teams arrive in Australia with a genuine chance of winning the tournament. And that more funding is forthcoming for ambitious nations in need.
Andy Bull
Best player Sophie de Goede. Rolls mauls, makes breaks, kicks goals, grabs lineouts, poaches turnovers, throws offloads, and smashes tackles. Canada wouldn’t have made it to the final without her.
Best match Canada’s 34-19 win against New Zealand in the semi-finals was a cut above. New Zealand played on so long into overtime it felt like they just couldn’t believe they’d already been beaten.
Best try Ellie Kildunne’s second in England’s semi-final against France, a slinky run in, out, and around a flock of tacklers. England’s star player shone brightest when they needed her most.
Breakout star Braxton Sorensee-McGee looks altogether too innocent to be anywhere near an international rugby field, until she has the ball and half a yard of space in the 22.
Unsung hero Samoa’s head coach, Ramsey Tomokino, who has had to pay his team’s expenses out of his own pocket on more than one occasion. They were beaten inside out, but there’s more than one way to turn up for a World Cup.
Favourite moment Samoa’s jubilant reaction to the only three points they scored in this tournament. They were so busy dancing when that penalty went over against England that they were late to take their places for the restart.
This World Cup was… A triumph away the field, but with too many unequal matches on it. It’s a testament to just how well organised it was that the lopsided results didn’t stop everyone from having such a good time.
In 2029 I hope… The unions, and World Rugby, do the work needed to narrow the gaps between the best teams and everyone else. There are plenty of sides that deserve a lot more investment and support.
Luke McLaughlin
Best player Hannah Botterman. Relentlessly destructive on both sides of the ball, the Bristol Bears prop often looks a cut above at club level: the same applied as England excelled on the biggest stage.
Best match Australia 31-31 USA. The fight for second behind England in Pool A generated a classic. Samantha Wood’s missed conversion for Australia resulted in a draw: the right result after a fierce, gripping encounter.
Best try Amy Cokayne, France v England. In context of the semi-final tussle against France – England were leading 7-5 after half-time – a textbook driving maul led to a score of paramount importance. Perfect execution under intense pressure.
Breakout star Desiree Miller (Australia). A hat-trick against Samoa, two in that memorable ding-dong against USA in York, and a sixth try of the tournament in the quarter-final against Canada. Lightning pace, lethal finishing.
Unsung hero Raquel Kochhann (Brazil). Olympian, cancer survivor and scorer of Brazil’s first points at a Rugby World Cup: Kochann personified the squad’s spirit. Note to marketers: she is open to a hair product sponsor.
Favourite moment Zoe Aldcroft’s cathartic reaction, with the rest of her team, to ultimate victory. As England captain she carried much of the weight of expectation and she never shied away from it.
This World Cup was… Friendly, inclusive, fun and inspiring. Shout out to the Hackleton & District Women’s Institute for the tone-setting arts and crafts on the walk from Northampton train station to Franklin’s Gardens.
In 2029 I hope … For more competitive matches (the obvious answer). While it would be good to level the playing field, it can also be accepted that certain unions will be stronger than others.
