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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Rugby World Cup: England must raise level to gain New Zealand revenge in final after Canada scare

England will hurriedly piece their attacking game back together in time for Saturday’s World Cup Final showdown with hosts and reigning champions New Zealand.

Abby Dow’s wonder try helped the Red Roses see off a stubborn Canada 26-19 in Saturday’s tense semi-final.

England racked up their 30th straight Test win to book their place in the final. They can extend their winning streak by avenging their 2017 final loss to New Zealand — and claiming World Cup glory for the third time. And yet both head coach Simon Middleton and his players know they must raise their level to topple the Black Ferns.

“We have a bit of work to do, because we didn’t play well,” said Middleton.

Abby Dow scored a wonder try as England held off stubborn Canada in World Cup semi-final (Getty Images)

Flying wing Dow conjured the try of the tournament, as she completed a length-of-the-field counter-attack.

“You won’t see a better try than that, individual brilliance,” said Middleton.

Dow broke her leg in April and has pulled off a remarkable recovery even to be fit, let alone running in stunning scores at a World Cup.

“I can’t speak highly enough of our medical department, who told us to give them six months to get her ready for this World Cup,” said Middleton.

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