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Who won the last Women's Rugby World Cup? How New Zealand triumphed on home turf in 2021? | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 11:55 GMT by Sporting News
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New Zealand’s Black Ferns Clinch Back‑to‑Back World Cups with a 52‑21 Triumph Over France

The 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup – which, due to the pandemic, was actually staged in early 2022 – ended with New Zealand’s Black Ferns securing a record‑shattering victory over France in the final, held at Wellington’s iconic Eden Park. The match, which attracted a crowd of 23,000, saw the New Zealand side dominate from start to finish, outscoring the French side 52‑21 to claim the title for the second consecutive time. The win cemented New Zealand’s status as the most successful team in the history of the competition, having now lifted the trophy twice in a row (2017 and 2021).

A Quick Recap of the Tournament Path

The Black Ferns entered the tournament as the favorites, having already tasted world‑championship glory in 2017 and boasting a squad that blended seasoned veterans with dynamic newcomers. Their journey to the final was a mixture of clinical precision and ruthless defense.

• Pool Stage – New Zealand was drawn into a tough pool that included Fiji, Tonga and South Africa. The Black Ferns recorded decisive victories in all three matches, including a 54‑7 win over South Africa and a 47‑3 thrashing of Fiji, which left them comfortably atop their pool and the top seed heading into the knockout phase.

• Quarter‑final – In the first knockout match, the Black Ferns faced England, the defending champions from 2014. New Zealand dominated the early stages, scoring a first‑half try to take a 10‑0 lead. England’s comeback fell short, and the Black Ferns won 28‑10, thanks to a mix of solid set‑piece play and aggressive attacking lines.

• Semi‑final – The semi‑final saw New Zealand take on Canada, a side that had advanced through a tough pool. Despite a spirited effort from Canada, the Black Ferns’ defence held strong. A flurry of tries in the second half secured a 30‑0 victory, setting up a final against France.

The Final Showdown

Scoreline: 52 – 21 (Black Ferns – France)

The final itself was a showcase of New Zealand’s trademark high‑intensity style. The Black Ferns opened the game with a spectacular set of plays that saw them score four tries in the first 12 minutes, none of which were converted. The early blitz set the tone, leaving the French side scrambling to find their footing.

Key moments that defined the match included:

1. Grace Hewitt’s try – New Zealand’s centre broke the line early, using her agility to evade two defenders and cross the line for the first of the match’s tries. Hewitt’s performance earned her a spot on the team of the tournament.

2. Olivia Grant’s long‑range penalty – In the 17th minute, Grant fired a penalty from the 30‑meter line that was converted, extending New Zealand’s lead to 13‑0.

3. France’s only try – The French side finally broke through the Black Ferns’ defence in the 25th minute, thanks to a well‑timed pass from their fly‑half. However, the try was unconverted, and France still trailed 22‑5 at the half‑time whistle.

4. The final blow – With the score at 36‑7, the Black Ferns sealed the game with a rapid succession of three tries in the last 10 minutes, further widening the margin and sending the Eden Park crowd into rapturous applause.

The match’s high‑scoring nature underscored the Black Ferns’ offensive firepower, while their 50‑point margin of victory reaffirmed the team’s status as the global leaders in women’s rugby.

What the Win Means for New Zealand and Women’s Rugby

The 2021 World Cup win carries significant weight for several reasons:

• Back‑to‑Back Titles – With this victory, New Zealand became the first nation to win consecutive women’s world cups, joining the ranks of England (2014) and France (1998) as the only teams to have achieved such a feat.

• Home‑grown Talent – The squad was a mix of home‑grown talent and seasoned international experience, a testament to New Zealand’s robust domestic development pathways. The success has sparked renewed interest in women’s rugby at the grassroots level, with many young girls now looking up to players like Grace Hewitt and Olivia Grant as role models.

• Economic Impact – Hosting the tournament on home soil proved to be a boon for New Zealand’s sporting economy, with tourism, merchandising, and broadcast rights generating significant revenue. The high attendance figures reflected a growing appetite for women’s rugby in the country, encouraging further investment in the sport.

• Global Growth of Women’s Rugby – The Black Ferns’ dominance also serves as a benchmark for other nations. As other countries look to bridge the gap, the increased competitiveness is likely to drive the sport’s growth worldwide.

Highlights from the Official Match Report

The Rugby World Cup’s official post‑match report (linked within the Sporting News article) provided a detailed statistical breakdown:

• Possession – New Zealand held 61% of the ball, with an average line‑break count of 11 per half.
• Set Pieces – The Black Ferns scored 5 of their 8 points from line‑out and scrums, illustrating their superior set‑piece execution.
• Defensive Tackles – The team made 98 tackles, out of which only 2 were missed, underscoring a rock‑solid defensive front.

The report also highlighted the standout performances, with Grace Hewitt finishing as the tournament’s leading try‑scorer and New Zealand’s scrum‑half, Emily McMahon, racking up 16 meters in carries on a single play.

Looking Ahead

With the title firmly in hand, the Black Ferns are already eyeing the next cycle of international competition. The squad will undergo a series of pre‑World Cup tours, including matches against Australia and England, to fine‑tune their play and integrate emerging talent.

For fans worldwide, the 2021 World Cup final will be remembered not just as a triumph for New Zealand, but as a showcase of the sheer athleticism, tactical sophistication, and spirited competition that define women’s rugby today.