France have won the bronze-medal match seven times in nine World Cups, having never managed to qualify for the tournament showpiece.
Canada, meanwhile, have now been defeated by France three times in the consolation game, today giving the impression of a side who reached their peak last weekend.
The North Americans gave an almighty fright to favourites England in the semifinals but there would be no repeat of that impressive performance on a sunny Auckland afternoon.
France never allowed the Canadians a foothold in the match, seizing an immediate ascendancy in field position before showing their ability to both control and break open a game.
A three-try blitz in 10 minutes on either side of halftime ensured the early French supremacy was reflected on the scoreboard, with Canada given few opportunities to attack.
France never let up after grabbing the game’s first try in the 17th minute, stringing together phases near the Canadian line and seeing Madoussou Fall dot down following an offload from prop Annaelle Deshaye.
Caroline Drouin’s penalty extended her side’s lead to 10-0 and that’s where it stayed until France made their pressure truly count before the break.
First, Pauline Bourdon scored a second that was created by a brilliant break from Gabrielle Vernier, then a Canadian error gave their opposition one last chance and Marine Menager made them pay following a surging maul.
That pattern continued after the break when France won a penalty and immediately set up their lineout drive, stopped five metres from the line before Deshaye darted through the middle of the ruck for a fourth.
Canada at least at that point began to enjoy some good territory of their own but, despite Vernier seeing yellow for high contact, couldn’t find a way across the line.
Instead, Menager made it a double after being sent into space by Maelle Filopon, as France finished their tournament on a high.
France 36 (Marine Menager 2, Madoussou Fall, Pauline Bourdon, Annaelle Deshaye tries; Caroline Drouin 4 cons, pen)
Canada 0
Halftime: 22-0
