Rugby: Black Ferns sweep their rivals aside

The Black Ferns have defeated Canada 33-21 in Whakatane. Pictured are the Ferns performing their haka earlier in the series. Photo/Ben Fraser

The Black Ferns have swept the international women's rugby series after defeating Canada 33-21 in Whakatane.

The clean sweep will give New Zealand plenty of confidence ahead of the women's Rugby World Cup in France in August.

Canada gave the Ferns a good fight at Rugby Park on Saturday but the home side managed to win the match, making it four wins from four during the international series, which was hosted in the Bay of Plenty.

The match was the final hit-out for both sides before the world cup.

Going into the final game of the series on Saturday, the Ferns had defeated Australia 38-3, Samoa 90-12 and Canada 16-8.

The Black Ferns began well scoring the first 26 points, with Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Huriana Manuel, Shakira Baker and Renee Wickliffe all crossing for tries.

But the Canadians fought back well to make the final score 33-21.

New Zealand are in the same pool as Ireland, USA and Kazakhstan at the up-coming world cup. Their first match will be against Kazakhstan on August 1.

The final will take place on August 17.