The Black Ferns eased past Wales, scoring nine tries in their 55-3 victory in their quarter-final at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Whangarei on Saturday.
Portia Woodman opened the scoring from a line-out set play in the 13th minute as Ruahei Demant converted the try. However, Wales responded with their only points of the game three minutes later through a Keira Bevan penalty.
From then on, it was one-way traffic as Ruby Tui, Sarah Hirini and Amy Rule all scored tries before the break, handing the hosts a 26-3 lead at the turnover.
Woodman would cross the whitewash again three minutes into the second period to notch her 20th World Cup try, surpassing England’s Sue Day as the World Cup’s all-time leading try-scorer.
The scoreboard continued to tick with further five-pointers from Luka Connor (2), Alana Bremmer and Demant, who finished with five conversions on the night.
It was yet another commanding performance from the Black Ferns, who have gathered huge momentum heading into the semi-final at their home tournament.
France beat Italy to advance to the semi-finals
France also advanced to the semi-finals after a strong 39-3 victory against Italy in Saturday’s early game.
The French side got off to a dream start as wing Joanna Grisez benefitted from a charge from Emilie Boulard, resulting in a try under the posts converted by fly-half Caroline Drouin.
There were no further scores until the 39th minute when Italy’s Michela Sillari kicked a penalty to get her side on the board, before Drouin responded with three points of her own to take a 10-3 lead for France into the break.
The first half did not end according to plan for Italy, who saw wing Maria Magatti sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, meaning the first nine minutes of the second period would be played with a player down.
France thought they had obliged and scored a powerful try through number eight Charlotte Escudero in the 47th minute, but it was ruled out due to a knock-on and instead added three further points through Drouin soon after.
The French side thought they had scored again but had another try ruled out before being awarded a penalty try from the resultant scrum in the 63rd minute.
Italy’s discipline let them down again as Silvia Turani was also yellow carded in the 66th minute, opening the door for France, who scored three tries in four minutes through Laure Touye and a double from Grisez, who completed her hat-trick. Drouin kicked one conversion, while replacement Line Queyroi added another.
In the end, France was ultimately too strong and produced a solid performance to advance to the semi-finals.
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