England 6-20 New Zealand: Hosts' hopes of reaching first World Cup final dashed

England's hopes of reaching a first Women's Rugby League World Cup were dashed when they lost to a powerful New Zealand team.

Fran Goldthorp's try gave the hosts a great start, but the Ferns responded with two tries before the break.

Ricky Henry's side scored seven tries in front of 7,139 people.

New Zealand will play Australia in the final.

After reaching the semi-finals at the previous three World Cups, England head coach Craig Richards insists his players are ready to take the next step.

Goldthorp's third try of the tournament, allied to a fast and committed start, suggested that there was no shortage of belief in the England ranks despite their part-time status.

But the power of New Zealand, a side composed mostly of full-time NRLW players, soon began to tell as Hufanga held off Burke to cross after Hall broke the English line.

The New Zealand Ferns were able to ground the ball on the try line despite the attentions of Burke, thanks to the efforts of McGregor.

After the men's side suffered a shock semi-final loss to Samoa on Saturday, England went in the match to get some pride back.

It was always going to be a step up in class against the three-time world champion, who dealt them a crushing 52-4 defeat at the same stage in the same tournament last year.

They had no answer to the power of the New Zealand front row even though they had closed the gap.

Pule went over in the left corner after Hufanga brushed off several defenders to lay the platform for him.

New Zealand reached a sixth consecutive final after Hall and Hufanga combined superbly down the right.

Tara Jones, Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham are the captains of the England team.

Substitutes: Keara Bennett, Grace Field.

The New Zealand squad includes Madison Bartlett, Georgia Hale, Mya Hill-Moana, Mele Hufanga and Nita Maynard.