Four years ago, the Women’s Rugby World Cup culminated in a historic moment: New Zealand became the first nation ever to win the tournament on home turf, as they beat England 34 - 32 in Auckland.
As the 2025 tournament races ahead, with the quarterfinals this weekend, The Sporting News recaps the story of the reigning champions the Black Ferns.
The Black Ferns, currently ranked third in the world, have won the competition six times - in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017 and 2022 - making them the most decorated team in the tournament.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 group rounds
The 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which was delayed to 2022 due to COVID restrictions, was the first time that New Zealand hosted the tournament.
Their campaign began with a strong start, as they looked to defend their title from the 2017 tournament and won all three of their group stages.
Portia Woodman-Wycliffe quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with during these matches, such as during her performance against Australia, which allowed the Black Ferns to come away with a 41 - 17 win after being 17 - 0 down at half time.
They faced Wales in the quarterfinals, after beating them 56 - 12 during the group rounds, and continued their winning streak, demolishing them 55 - 3.
Portia Woodman-Wycliffe made history during this match, officially overtaking Sue Day to become the top try-scorer in Rugby World Cup history.
However, in order to book their place in the final, the Black Ferns had to lay their all out on the pitch against France in the semi-finals - a nail-biting match that ended with New Zealand just pipping Les Bleues to the pose with a final score of 25 - 24.
But they had done it - the Black Ferns were through to a home final.
New Zealand vs England RWC 2021 final
New Zealand faced England in Auckland for the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 - a pairing that promised 80 minutes of the highest level of women’s rugby as England were coming off the back of a 30 match strong winning streak, and New Zealand were yet to be defeated in the tournament.
The Red Roses quickly took the lead, with tries from Ellie Kildunne and Amy Cockayne. However, despite their strong start, Lydia Thompson’s red card in the first half, following a head-on-head collision with Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, meant that the English side would be playing a man down for over an hour in their highest-stakes match yet.
This red card wasn’t all positives for New Zealand either, as Woodman-Wycliffe was taken off the field due to injury.
However, the Black Ferns were able to get into gear as half time approached, with the score board reading 26 - 19 to England as the teams went in to regroup.
The Black Ferns came out all guns blazing as the second half kicked off, scoring twice within ten minutes in order to put New Zealand three points up.
England weren’t going to sit back and let their lead disappear though, as Cockayne ran through for her second try, allowing England to regain and maintain their lead.
It was not until the 73rd minute that New Zealand finally had the opportunity to turn the tide, as Fluhleroffloaded to Aysha Leiti-I’iga to bring the score to 34 - 31 with the Black Fern’s 11th try.
But with seven minutes remaining, and a trophy on the line, would New Zealand be able to defend this precarious lead.
England had a final chance to storm to victory with a late penalty to the corner, but the New Zealand defence was able to disrupt their usual impenetrable line-out and break their possession as the clock reached 80 minutes.
They had done it. New Zealand were officially World Champions - not an entirely novel experience for a team that had lifted the trophy five times before, but a completely new achievement on their home turf.
What is the New Zealand team like this year?
The reigning World Champions are currently ranked third in the world, behind England and Canada.
They finished top of Pool C, after winning all of their group matches, defeating Spain 54 - 8, Japan 62 - 19 and Ireland 40 - 0.
They will be facing South Africa in the first quarterfinal this weekend at Sandy Park in Exeter. They last faced the Springboks in 2010, where they came away with a 55 - 3 win.
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