Rugby: Black Ferns sweep into semis

Defending champions New Zealand dismantled Wales 41-8 in Guildford, England, overnight (NZT) and will take on France in the semifinals of women's rugby World Cup.

Hosts England will face Australia in the other semifinal, courtesy of a superior points differential to New Zealand after both teams finished with a maximum of 15 points from pool play.

New Zealand coach Brian Evans exploited the full depth of his squad, fielding only six players who started in the 32-5 win over Australia.

After losing to Australia and South Africa, a much-improved Wales matched the New Zealanders up front for long periods but over the full 80 minutes the Black Ferns were much the better side.

Wales scored a try through wing Caryl James just before half time - only the second try conceded by New Zealand in the tournament - as New Zealand went into the break 17-8 ahead.

Captain for the day, Victoria Grant, showed class and poise on the wing, open side flanker Joan Sione put in a strong case for semifinal selection and both Rebecca Mahoney and Kelly Brazier, who scored a hat-trick of tries, gave mature performances in changed positions at first five and fullback respectively.

Player-of-the-match Brazier needed only five minutes after the restart to claim a fine hat-trick and her score also opened the floodgates as the brave Welsh defence flagged in the face of wave after wave of unrelenting attack.

Centre Huriana Manuel's slick handling set up Grant out wide and just two minutes later right wing Halie Hurring carved through the midfield to touch down and cement an insurmountable 34-8 lead.

With eight minutes remaining, the Black Ferns' 17th consecutive World Cup win was rubber-stamped by a try for second row Monalisa Codling, one of only two players to have featured in all three of their title winning teams.

Despite the margin of the win, coach Evans said there was still plenty of work to be done ahead of Wednesday's semifinal against France at Twickenham.

"There's a heap to work on - the girls know that - but there were some great tries," he said. "Our try-scoring ability is awesome, the players certainly know their way to the try line, and they strung together some really good movements."

Grant said the New Zealanders had to work hard against the determined Welsh.

"It was a hard first half, the Welsh really took it to us, especially at the breakdown.

"That's something we really need to work on - we were getting killed with penalties, especially in the first half, and with that penalty count against us, we really have to look at what we're doing wrong," she said.

"In the second half we played some really good running rugby."

Scorers: New Zealand 41 (Kelly Brazier 3, Rebecca Mahoney, Victoria Grant, Halie Hurring, and Monalisa Codling tries, Mahoney, Brazier and Kendra Cocksedge conversions) Wales 8 (Caryl James try, Non Evans pen). Halftime: 17-8.

- NZPA