Rugby: Black Ferns succumb yet again to England's power

New Zealand's Emma Jensen makes a break during the clash against England in Aldershot yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

England 17
Black Ferns 8

The New Zealand women's rugby team might be world champions but they are not the world's best after they were beaten by England for a second time yesterday.

England backed up their 16-13 first-test win with a 17-8 defeat of the Black Ferns at Aldershot. They will now be eyeing a clean sweep in the third test at Twickenham on Sunday morning - the match is being played after the All Blacks' test against England at the same ground.

The Black Ferns were on top of the world when they beat England 13-10 in the 2010 women's World Cup final at Twickenham but have not beaten them since. They have now lost four of their past five tests - England won two of last year's three tests with the third a draw - when previously they had been beaten only three times.

They were outmuscled by a bigger and more physical England side in yesterday's two-tries-to-one defeat.

New Zealand led 5-3 midway through the first half following a try to wing Shakira Baker but England led 10-5 at the break after England flanker Hannah Gallagher scored.

The Black Ferns drew to within two points with 25 minutes left, thanks to a Kelly Brazier penalty, but couldn't build pressure playing into the wind.