ENGLAND may be the dominant force in Europe but there is work to do before the 2021 World Cup after defeat to New Zealand in the Super Series decider.
England lost 28-13 to the Black Ferns in the final game of the 2019 Series to finish second in the tournament.
England went into the game three points above New Zealand in the table after wins over USA, Canada and France, with the Black Ferns having beaten USA and Canada, but losing to the French.
But Kendra Cocksedge put in a starring display at fly-half and wing Renee Wickliffe scored a hat-trick as New Zealand asserted their dominance to restrict England to one Emily Scarratt try.
England head coach Simon Middleton said: “I don't think it was a great game, but it was the game that New Zealand wanted it to be and fair play to them as they're the world's best at finding a way to win and imposing themselves on teams, and they did that today.
“They were incredibly physical and we struggled to deal with that and never really got going.
“It is one of those where the players will reflect back on and learn, as will the coaches. It's a huge experience for the younger ones to come into a Test environment and get schooled a little bit which I think happened today, the best side won by a mile.
“It has been a good competition for us where we've shown a lot of character and composure, but there are still lots of things for us to polish up on in our general play in both attack and defence.
“We came here to be as successful as we could but also to develop and learn. An experience like this you learn a lot from, but it is quite chastening.”
In the San Diego sunshine, New Zealand were down to 14 players inside four minutes when Toka Natua was sent to the sin bin and Emily Scarratt knocked over the resultant penalty for the first points. Cocksedge's penalty levelled a few minutes later but the first try of the match went England's way when quick rucking set up Scarratt to stretch over.
Scarratt's conversion made it 10-3 but Cocksedge's jinking run set up the platform for the first Black Ferns try as they spun it out to Wickliffe to dive over. The Kiwi wing then intercepted the ball on the edge of the 22 to race under the sticks for her second. Cocksedge added the extras for a 10-15 lead at the break.
Scarratt's penalty was the first points of the second half as the Red Roses got back within two points and, with New Zealand down to 14 players again when Te Kura Ngata- Arerengemate was penalised for offside, England had the advantage.
They were unable to break through and in a tight, physical second half, Cocksedge's two penalties and Wickliffe's hat-trick try secured the win and the title.
New Zealand finished top of the table on 14 points, with England a point behind, ahead of France, USA and Canada.
England lost 28-13 to the Black Ferns in the final game of the 2019 Series to finish second in the tournament. England went into the game three points above New Zealand in the table after wins over USA, Canada and France, with the Black Ferns having beaten USA and Canada, but losing to the French.
But Kendra Cocksedge put in a starring display at fly-half and wing Renee Wickliffe scored a hat-trick as New Zealand asserted their dominance to restrict England to one Emily Scarratt try.
England head coach Simon Middleton said: “I don't think it was a great game, but it was the game that New Zealand wanted it to be and fair play to them as they're the world's best at finding a way to win and imposing themselves on teams, and they did that today.
“They were incredibly physical and we struggled to deal with that and never really got going.
“It is one of those where the players will reflect back on and learn, as will the coaches. It's a huge experience for the younger ones to come into a Test environment and get schooled a little bit which I think happened today, the best side won by a mile.
“It has been a good competition for us where we've shown a lot of character and composure, but there are still lots of things for us to polish up on in our general play in both attack and defence.
“We came here to be as successful as we could but also to develop and learn. An experience like this you learn a lot from, but it is quite chastening.”
In the San Diego sunshine, New Zealand were down to 14 players inside four minutes when Toka Natua was sent to the sin bin and Emily Scarratt knocked over the resultant penalty for the first points.
Cocksedge's penalty levelled a few minutes later but the first try of the match went England's way when quick rucking set up Scarratt to stretch over.
Scarratt's conversion made it 10-3 but Cocksedge's jinking run set up the platform for the first Black Ferns try as they spun it out to Wickliffe to dive over. The Kiwi wing then intercepted the ball on the edge of the 22 to race under the sticks for her second. Cocksedge added the extras for a 10-15 lead at the break.
Scarratt's penalty was the first points of the second half as the Red Roses got back within two points and, with New Zealand down to 14 players again when Te Kura Ngata- Arerengemate was penalised for offside, England had the advantage. They were unable to break through and in a tight, physical second half, Cocksedge's two penalties and Wickliffe's hat-trick try secured the win and the title.
New Zealand finished top of the table on 14 points, with England a point behind, ahead of France, USA and Canada.
