Rugby: Black Ferns eliminated from World Cup

Justine Lavea of New Zealand Women's Black Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand women's rugby team has been knocked out of the World Cup in France.

The Black Ferns went into the tournament as defending champions, but a shock loss to Ireland in Marcoussis earlier in the week rocked their campaign.

The loss to Ireland meant the Black Ferns' fate was susceptible to other results in pool play.

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Image 1 of 6: The New Zealand Black Ferns perform the team's haka before the start of their opening game against Kazakhstan. Photo / Getty Images

Going into this morning's action, six teams - England, Canada, France, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand - were in contention for semifinal spots, with New Zealand still able to make the playoffs as the best runner-up.

But a 13-13 draw between England and Canada this morning ended their hopes.

The result meant New Zealand had no chance of qualifying, as even a bonus-point win in their final pool game against the United States would not be enough to overhaul Canada's points tally.

New Zealand won that match against the US 34-3, but it would have come as little consolation.

The outcome will be a bitter blow for the Black Ferns, who were looking to secure a fifth straight World Cup title.