Transcript
The Cook Islands opened the scoring in the second minute and led 16-0 at halftime off the back of tries to Beniamina Koiatu, Katelyn Arona and Cecelia Strickland.England rallied in the second spell and drew level at 16-all with just over four minutes remaining. With the game headed for a draw, the Moana busted through the English defence down the right hand side, with Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate crashing over with 42 seconds left on the clock to complete a famous victory.Coach Ian Bourke admitted to plenty of nerves in the dying moments but said the result was "meant to be".
"It was a bit nail-biting there at the end and we knew they were going to come back at us but right at the death they just kept turning up for each other. One of our mantras was team first, never give up and it was all about family and I'm pretty sure they dug deep within and trusted each other and the result speaks for itself."
Centre Chantelle Schofield says even the players didn't think they could pull off such an upset.
"It means a lot, especially to our families, our own nations as well - putting all 15 islands on the map. Being on the world stage now, not many Pacific Islands can do that, especially a small one like ours so we're pretty proud. To say that we beat the third best team in the world is huge."
Chantelle Schofield says a number of players had to sacrifice their jobs, study and family life to be a part of the World Cup which made the victory all the more satisyfing.
"We had a little team talk together yesterday and just everyone telling their circumstances - our mothers having to miss out on a lot of their kids' things such as first day of daycare or their kids' presentations and it's just amazing what women can do."
Despite both teams finishing with one win and two losses from the pool stage, England still progress to the semi finals because of a superior points differential. But Ian Bourke believes the team's performances over the past fortnight can be the foundations for something special.
"I don't think they will realise until the get home and settle down what the magnitude of that victory will sit with the whole community and the whole country in the years to come but now we need to make sure that that's not a one-off - it needs to be long term, we need to be looking forward to the future and getting these girls in front of the best nations as possible and having more tests."
Meanwhile Papua New Guinea finished winless at their maiden World Cup after a 38-0 defeat by New Zealand in their final pool match.The Orchids team was only formed this year and assistant coach David Westley believed the World Cup experience will have lasting benefits.
"Especially with our young women and there's something to strive for now with the Orchids and it's part of being in the World Cup. The game itself is going to grow and it's not only for the boys now, it's for our women and our young girls. If everyone knew what these girls have come from, just in the short period of time, I think they kind of understand the commitment they've put in. Most of them are young mothers and that's why we're so proud of them - just that short period of time and the amount of hard work they've put it and the change in their game and their personalities and their commitment."
PNG and the Cook Islands have already set their sights on the next Women's World Cup in 2021 but in the meantime the 2017 competition continues with New Zealand up against England and Australia taking on Canada in Sunday's semi finals.
