Black Ferns world champions again

The Black Ferns perform the haka prior to the final against England. Jimmy Jeong / Getty Images

The Black Ferns have become three times world champions, sweeping past England to win the women's rugby World Cup final 25-17 in Edmonton, Canada today.

In a showpiece final which featured several classic tries, New Zealand led England 10-3 at halftime, before England hit back in the second half.

New Zealand scored four tries to England's one, although the Black Ferns conceded a penalty try.

Perhaps the best moment of the final came ten minutes before the end when the Black Ferns took a copybook take at the lineout 15 metres from the English line, then marched the England pack backwards to score.

New Zealand had advanced to the final after thrashing France 40-10 to face England who survived a late rally to edge host Canada 20-14.

The favoured Black Ferns scored two tries either side of halftime and another two in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought win over opponents who dominated possession for long periods.

The English scored a penalty try courtesy of their dominant scrum with half an hour remaining but the New Zealand forwards, who were out-muscled for much of the final, drove lock Victoria Heighway over from a lineout with seven minutes to effectively seal the result.

The English pack responded with their own try from a lineout drive in the 80th minute but, just three points ahead, New Zealand nerves were eased in injury time when fullback Amiria Marsh bullocked over in the corner.

The Black Ferns' victory came on the back of a tireless defence and a greater skill level with ball in hand.

Down 0-3 after England first five-eighth Karen Andrew landed an early penalty, the scores were level after half an hour when New Zealand halfback Emma Jensen responded with her own.

Until that stage the English forwards had dominated possession and kept a disjointed New Zealand pinned inside their own territory.

A key moment came two minutes from halftime when a cross-kick by Marsh was fielded by athletic Canterbury flanker Melissa Ruscoe. She offloaded in the tackle to lock Monalisa Codling, who galloped 40m to score.

Ruscoe again through the key pass a minute after the break to send winger Stephanie Mortimer over and give the New Zealanders a 15-3 advantage.

Earlier today France beat Canada 17-8 in the third-place playoff.

New Zealand's run of three wins began in 1998 at Amsterdam when the Black Ferns beat the United States 44-12.

New Zealand downed England 19-9 to win the 2002 World Cup final at Barcelona.

SCORING

Black Ferns 25 (Monalisa Codling, Stephanie Mortimer, Victoria Heighway, Amiria Marsh tries. Emma Jensen kicked a penalty and conversion.)

England 17 (Helen Clayton a try, penalty try, Karen Andrew a penalty and conversion and Shelley Rae a conversion.)