England came close, but ultimately it was three-time winners New Zealand who advanced to the final where they will face Australia at Old Trafford on Saturday from 13:15 GMT.

That match is followed by the men's final at 16:00 GMT where Australia take on Samoa.

I'll be back on Friday for the Rugby League wheelchair final which sees hosts England face holders France in Manchester.

That game gets going at 19:30 GMT, be sure to join me then!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand player of the match Mele Hufanga on BBC Two:

"Oh man! 100% I would not have been able to perform the way I did tonight if it wasn't for my teammates. I am grateful for this opportunity.

"Every game is really hard for us. We play every game like it's our final.

"Our mentality and attitude changed at half-time. We didn't want to go home. We came together and got that win.

"The atmosphere from the crowd was crazy. It's England's home soil so it was a big thing for us to block off the noise.

"Right now I don't want to think about the final. I want to live the moment and enjoy it."

Image source, Getty Images

Mark: Gutted. Been very enjoyable watching the England women throughout this tournament. Build on this now. Let's have some of that there legacy

England head coach Craig Richards on BBC Two:

"The pleasing thing for me is the way we applied ourselves. The girls have worked so hard from day one and again in this game here. You have to wrap your head around it.

"I thought the way the ruck was refereed didn't help us. We needed a quick ruck and they wanted it slow.

"The players should be pleased with their efforts. Perhaps we were a bit too clean. We needed to change how we played with the ruck because some of what we did was alien.

"It starts with me, what would I have done differently because our players were excellent.

"Today we came up against a really good New Zealand side. We have to take our medicine.

"I don't know if the game will be professional [in England] by [the next World Cup] but it needs to be. We have to get around these girls. They work so hard but they deserve so much more than what they're getting.

"Maybe that's what we need to beat these sides."

Image source, Getty Images

TheTryline: Too big, too strong, too powerful. England gave it their best shot but New Zealand get the win that their dominance deserves. Is the gap closing? I think it is. But a gap remains nevertheless.

England captain Emily Rudge on BBC Two:

"It's so tough to take that. We worked so hard, there is so much talent in the squad, I don't know what more can be done. It's so tough not to get to the final.

"I thought we could have played better. We know we can beat New Zealand and Australia.

"It's been an incredible home World Cup for us. We definitely wanted to go one step further than the semi-finals. Hopefully we have inspired the next generation and those young girls watching in the crowd."

Image source, PA Media

Janet: I am so, so proud of this England Women's rugby league team. You will have inspired more young girls to see this sport as a genuine option for them. Do not underestimate what you have achieved. @England_RL thank you to each one

More from Jodie Cunningham: "The pathways are there and progress is being made. It's been massive since the last World Cup, but for us it's getting more girls playing and hopefully we have inspired a lot of people to take up the sport.

"It gets said a lot but we need to be paid, we need more time together, it's been incredible to be paid for two weeks in camp."

Stu: Unlucky @England_RL Ladies....You should all be proud of your efforts it's been a pleasure watching you these last three weeks. Being honest, some sloppy play cost you especially in the final 10m but no one can doubt your talent, effort or commitment.

England player Jodie Cunningham on BBC Two: "It hurts. It will for a long time. You can't fault the effort, but there were too many errors.

"We are so proud what we have done this tournament.

"We started to lose the ruck and let them play quickly. They are a physical side and hard to handle and we were on the back foot for a chunk of the game. We gave them too much possession."

Andrea Dobson
Former England captain on BBC Two

England have put everything they had into every tackle. Have a look at the young girls here watching who might have been inspired to play rugby league. All the players can hold their heads up and be proud.

Dewi: Well done girls so much heart so proud of you all. You gave it everything and nobody could ask more. You should all be proud of yourselves. Thank you for giving us all a great show throughout the tournament.

New Zealand will face Australia in the World Cup final at Old Trafford.

There are tears amongst the England players. Their wait for a first final continues.

New Zealand intercept again and that will be the match.

England are two metres away but they waste it again.

Hufanga kicks it forward and is in a foot race with Fran Goldthorp but the England full-back wins it.

She then counters down the left and incredibly England are back within five.

New Zealand must fix up all of these errors before the final.

Kicked away and newly-crowned player of the match Mele Hufanga does well with the return.

Although New Zealand soon knock-on, so England will have another chance.

Right then, England have the ball with three minutes to go in New Zealand's half. Can they make something happen?

Mele Hufanga is Andrea Dobson's player of the match.