Sat side-by-side at Ashton Gate, Kennedy Tukuafu and Allan Bunting wore haunted expressions and empty eyes as they attempted to process the despair of defeat. The Black Ferns aren’t much used to losing; certainly not at World Cups, where their remarkable record had read eight tournaments entered, six tournaments won.
Make that nine and six. “I’m gutted,” co-captain Tukuafu began, fighting back tears with head coach Bunting just as emotional beside her. “This is not how I envisaged our journey ending.” A third-place play-off may be still to come but for a side so used to finals, that will also be punishment in itself.
