England embrace growing competitiveness of women's game — SkimNews
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- England's Red Roses edged New Zealand 26-19 at Allianz Stadium (59,871 crowd) after Zoe Harrison's intercept try in the final play of overtime, extending their four-year unbeaten run following Braxton Sorensen-McGee's conversion that had leveled the match at 19-19 with under 10 minutes left.
- New Zealand under new head coach Whitney Hansen led 12-7 at half-time, marking a fourth straight defeat for the Black Ferns but reflecting improvement since Super Rugby Aupiki became a fully professional, full-time competition for the first time this year.
- The Red Roses had their record 39-game winning streak halted by Canada in a 26-26 draw at Sandy Park the previous week, the first non-victory since John Mitchell took charge midway through the 2023 WXV1 campaign.
- Mitchell said it was 'important to learn how to win tight Test matches' given England rarely face top opposition, with the new WXV Global Series (2026-2028) designed to deliver more competitive fixtures ahead of the 2029 World Cup.
- England travel to Canada next for October Tests in Toronto and Ottawa, with the three-Test series tied 1-1 after facing the world's second (New Zealand) and third (Canada) ranked sides in successive weeks.
- The British and Irish Lions women's team will tour New Zealand for the first time next year, with Mitchell noting the Black Ferns are 'in a really great position for the Lions series.'
Why it matters: England needed a New Zealand turnover to escape with a win — a week after Canada ended their 39-game streak — and trailed at half-time in both Tests this month. The clinical edge that powered their 2025 World Cup win is missing, and with the Lions tour of New Zealand coming in 2026, Mitchell's side must rediscover that ruthlessness before the gap to their rivals widens further.
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