The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup Final was a rugby union match to determine the winner of the 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup. The match took place on 16 May 1998 in Amsterdam and was between New Zealand and the United States. New Zealand beat the United States 44âÂÂ12 to claim their first World Cup title.
New Zealand was pooled with Scotland, Italy and World Cup debutantes, Germany. The United States were pooled with Spain, who missed the 1994 World Cup, along with Wales and Russia. New Zealand thrashed Germany 134âÂÂ6 to record their first 100 points in a World Cup. They kept Scotland scoreless with 76âÂÂ0 in their last pool game. The Black Ferns met Spain in their quarterfinal, they won 46âÂÂ3 and went on to beat 1994 Champions, England, 44âÂÂ11 to book their place in the Final.
The United States beat Russia in their first pool match 84âÂÂ0, and then beat Spain 38âÂÂ16. In their quarterfinal, they defeated Scotland in a closely contested match 25âÂÂ10. Canada only managed 6 points against the United States 46 points in their semifinal game.
Vanessa Cootes scored five of the Black Ferns eight tries in the Final. Farah Palmer, Regina Sheck and Louisa Wall scored a try each with Annaleah Rush making two successful conversions to give New Zealand their first World Cup title.