While England started the game strongly, a red card for Lydia Thompson and a try from Ayesha Leti-I'iga with nine minutes remaining ensured victory for the hosts.

The final saw a world-record crowd of 42,579 for a women’s fixture.

New Zealand were stretched as Emily Scarratt found Ellie Kildunne for the opening try before former Black Ferns camper Amy Cokayne got the first of her three tries to put the Red Roses in the driving seat.

But a high tackle from Thompson on Portia Woodman resulted in the red card, with Georgia Ponsonby capitalising soon for New Zealand.

Then, New Zealand responded to a maul try from Marlie Packer with Leti-I'iga scoring her first try.

It was a tight affair as Cokayne bagged another try for England after that as the scoreline read 26-19 in England's favour at half time.

But the momentum shifted soon with Stacey Fluhler ran out of her 22 to send Scarratt the wrong way.

Krystal Murray beat Lucy Packer to score a try that put New Zealand ahead for the first time in the final.

Cokayne then completed her hat-trick before New Zealand were reduced to 14 as Kennedy Simon was shown a yellow for a dangerous tackle on Abby Dow.

The decisive strike for the Black Ferns came as Theresa Fitzpatrick kicked ahead for Fluhler, who managed to find Leti-I'iga to put New Zealand ahead again.

While England had another chance to level with a penalty, it was not meant to be as New Zealand were crowned champions.