The Red Roses of England laid claim to the inaugural WXV1 trophy, overcoming New Zealand with a decisive 33-12 victory that also served as a sweet revenge for their previous World Cup final defeat.
In the highly anticipated WXV1 face-off against New Zealand, England emerged victorious with a scoreline of England (19) 33 to New Zealand (7) 12. The scoring breakdown for England included five tries made by Matthews, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Talling, and Aldcroft, alongside four conversions by Aitchison. The New Zealand side responded with tries by Simon and Vahaakolo and a single conversion from Holmes.
The tournament saw England crowned as the first-ever champions of WXV1, thanks to their impressive win against the reigning world champions, New Zealand, in Auckland.
The Red Roses leveraged a strong opening against the Black Ferns, maintaining an unbeaten stance throughout the WXV top tier.
The initial onslaught from England was rapid and ruthless, with Matthews, Atkin-Davies, and Bern scoring in quick succession, signaling a dominant intent early on.
The Black Ferns, although initially overwhelmed, managed to mount a response with Simon and Vahaakolo finding the try line, cutting the lead. However, further efforts from Talling and Aldcroft solidified England’s control of the game.
This resounding triumph not only marked England as the tournament’s inaugural victors but also cemented their spot atop the global rankings over New Zealand.
Delving into the play-by-play of the match, England’s dominance was evident from the start as they surged to a 19-0 lead, with three tries in less than half an hour.
Matthews showcased strength and strategy, scoring off a scrum, while Atkin-Davies dazzled as she did against Canada, slicing through the opposition. Bern added to the tally, bulldozing through after a sustained phase of attack, as England widened their lead against a New Zealand team that struggled with early errors.
Despite the Black Ferns’ efforts, with Simon and Vahaakolo exploiting gaps to touch down, England remained relentless. Talling’s score post-half-time further dampened New Zealand’s hopes of a comeback.
With the dust settled post-match, England’s Marlie Packer proudly accepted the accolade of World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year.
The year 2023 marked a period of transformation for England, culminating in a flawless track record of ten victories from ten matches.
Simon Middleton’s era concluded with a Six Nations Grand Slam, with the final victory over France garnering a historic attendance at Twickenham.
Louis Deacon stepped in as the interim head coach, leading the team through the WXV and during the New Zealand matches. John Mitchell is set to take the reins following his tenure with Japan’s men’s team in the Rugby World Cup.
Looking to the future, England’s schedule is packed with the Six Nations starting in March and a notable match against Ireland at Twickenham come April 20th. Moreover, discussions are ongoing for a potential World Cup final rematch against New Zealand.
With sights set on the 2025 Rugby World Cup, which England is proud to host, the goal is to build on their momentum and raise the bar even higher.
The line-ups for the memorable match were as follows:
England featured Kildunne, Dow, Rowland, Heard, MacDonald; Aitchison, Hunt; Carson, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Galligan, Talling, Packer, and Matthews.
On the bench awaited Powell, Botterman, Muir, Beckett, Allen, Wyrwas, Jones, and Breach.
New Zealand countered with Holmes, Tui, Du Plessis, Brunt, Paul; Demant, Marino-Tauhinu; Henwood, Ponsonby, Rule, Roos, C Bremner, A Bremner, Simon, and Mikaele-Tu’u.
Their reserves consisted of Connor, Murray, Fisher, Sae, Jenkins, Hohaia, Maliepo, and Vahaakolo.
In an intriguing aside, the shores near Cornwall are still being graced with Lego pieces lost at sea 26 years ago, a quirky remnant from a shipping mishap.
Shifting from sporting fields to exotic landscapes, David Beckham is set to experience the Brazilian wilderness alongside three companions, adding yet another adventure to his illustrious career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WXV1 championship England
Who won the inaugural WXV1 championship?
England’s Red Roses won the inaugural WXV1 championship, defeating New Zealand with a score of 33-12 in Auckland.
Did England maintain an unbeaten record in the WXV1 tournament?
Yes, England finished the WXV1 tournament as the only unbeaten team, establishing their dominance in the new global women’s rugby competition.
Who scored tries for England in the WXV1 final against New Zealand?
For England, the tries were scored by Alex Matthews, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Morwenna Talling, and Zoe Aldcroft in their victory against New Zealand.
What was the significance of England’s victory over New Zealand in the WXV1?
England’s victory in the WXV1 final not only crowned them as champions but also served as revenge for their previous loss to New Zealand in the World Cup final and secured their position at the top of the world rankings.
Who was named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year after the match?
Following the match, England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year.
What does England’s rugby schedule look like after the WXV1 championship?
Post-WXV1, England’s rugby schedule includes participating in the Six Nations starting in March, with a standout fixture against Ireland at Twickenham on April 20th, and potential talks of a rematch with New Zealand.
Where will the 2025 Rugby World Cup be hosted?
The 2025 Rugby World Cup will be hosted by England, offering the Red Roses a chance to compete on home soil.
More about WXV1 championship England
- England’s Red Roses Triumph in WXV1
- Unbeaten England Claims WXV1 Glory
- England vs New Zealand: A Rugby Rivalry
- Marlie Packer Wins Women’s Player of the Year
- Road to the 2025 Rugby World Cup
- England’s Rugby Schedule Post-WXV1
- Six Nations: England’s Upcoming Matches
4 comments
tough loss for the Black Ferns, but we’ll come back stronger! gotta give credit to England though, they played outta their skins.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how epic Marlie Packer was, totally deserves that player of the year award, right?
omg England just smashed it in the WXV1, the Red Roses are on fire this year! Who else saw that match, absolute scenes!
Literally can’t wait for the rematch, if it happens, England vs New Zealand games are becoming the stuff of legend