Black is, in no uncertain terms, back. England Women have been dethroned as the world champions, ultimately outfought and out-thought by a New Zealand side hell-bent on reclaiming their crown. That they had to reach deep within themselves for all the black magic they could conjure will be of little consolation to a valiant England side, who finally buckled in the second half.

New Zealand trailed by 12 points at one stage during a dominant first half for England, and by seven at the break, but ran in 32 points in the second half. For England there were heroes aplenty, but a total of seven New Zealand tries – three from the loosehead prop Toka Natua – tells its own story. The Black Ferns were worthy winners of a title they had won four times in a row until England’s triumph three years ago. To add insult to injury, they have now beaten England in four World Cup finals.

It was cruel on England, whose contribution to an 11-try contest every bit as breathless as the morning’s Bledisloe Cup thriller should not be understated. That they had the last word through Izzy Noel-Smith’s pushover try was proof that heads did not drop but the stark reality is that, with their professional contracts now up, this was the end of the road for Simon Middleton’s side.

“The girls gave everything they could, there was no shortage of energy, desire or passion, we just couldn’t get enough possession in the second half to turn the game how we wanted,” said Middleton. “This team has been outstanding this year, we’ve had a fantastic year with what we’ve achieved. We’ve pulled up short tonight, that’s for sure. But we’ve played everyone and until tonight we’ve been successful. They’ve set a standard and moved the game forward. It was a fantastic game for the spectators to watch.”

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As adverts go, women’s rugby could have asked for little more – 73 points in front of a near packed stadium and millions watching on primetime free-to-air TV – but England can feel aggrieved at having to play again just four days after their semi-final against France. New Zealand had the same turnaround, of course, but with the greatest respect to the USA, they do not hit as hard as the French.

Despite conceding the first try, things were going to plan for England after the first 40 minutes. Emily Scarratt was everywhere in the opening quarter – taking high balls, both in attack and defence, poking grubbers through the New Zealand defensive line, or tucking the ball under her arm and scything through it. But England’s makeshift full-back was not faultless.

For it was Scarratt who slipped off the tackle for New Zealand’s opening try after the Black Ferns’ fly-half Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali’s clever crossfield kick failed to reach its intended target – Portia Woodman – but was gathered by the full-back Selica Winiata on the bounce. Winiata is slippery, too much so for Scarratt, who injured her ankle in the process.

Back she came though, ankle strapped but galvanising England’s riposte and kicking a penalty. New Zealand do not want for size but England’s set piece is slick – perhaps the clearest benefit of all that time together the professional contracts allow. They had ascendancy at the scrum in the first half and their rumbling forwards had already forced their way within inches of the New Zealand line before finally striking with a penalty try, boosted by the yellow card shown to New Zealand’s openside Sarah Goss for lifting Katy Mclean above the horizontal in the tackle.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest New Zealand players lift the trophy. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/World Rugby via Getty Images

England were soaring and soon afterwards Rachael Burford stepped her way through the New Zealand defence and burst towards the 22. The ball was worked to Lydia Thompson, who squeezed her way down the right touchline and splashed over in the corner – Scarratt landing an expert conversion for 17-5 and some breathing space.

Woodman, New Zealand’s star winger, by this stage was looking for work, but the Black Ferns’ most dangerous runner in the first half was the bulldozing tighthead Aldora Itunu. She took New Zealand close to the tryline after a penalty was kicked to the corner and Natua produced a smart finish from close range just before the interval. Kendra Cocksedge missed the conversion, however, one she really ought to have made, to leave England’s lead at seven at the break.

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Within five minutes of the restart New Zealand were level, Natua again barrelling over after Sarah Bern had somehow rebuffed Subritzky-Nafatali’s charge for the line. Cocksedge nailed the conversion but England were not to be cowed and Megan Jones almost cut through the middle before Scarratt picked another canny line and won a penalty she slotted, with the help of an upright.

New Zealand were a growing force by this stage and led when the second-row Charmaine Smith burrowed into a post after more pressure from the forwards. England’s answer, however, was emphatic. Subritzky-Nafatali tried another crossfield kick but Thompson fielded it, wriggled on to her right wing, pinned back her ears and no one could stop her. Scarratt’s conversion, from way out wide, was just off target so England’s lead was one – for all of a minute.

With New Zealand on the attack again Natua was tackled five metres short of the England line but released the ball, got to her feet, picked up again and raced under the posts for the third try. Joy Neville, the Irish referee, went upstairs to check it but found nothing to stop her awarding it.

Could England summon a response again? It seemed unlikely when, after Woodman finally got loose down the left, she created enough havoc for Cocksedge to snipe for New Zealand’s sixth try. And it was nigh on impossible when Winiata had her second try, looping around the replacement Carla Hohepa who had collected Subritzky-Nafatali’s measured crossfield kick.

Noel-Smith’s late score was met with raucous applause, as was Scarratt’s conversion, but, still more than a converted try behind, there was no way back for England.

“We’re immensely proud of one another and what we’ve achieved,” said the England captain, Sarah Hunter. “One result does not define the squad. It’s a very special squad, we win together and we lose together. It’s a very special journey and we’ll stand together right until the end.”