Black Fern Huriana Manuel, right, celebrates after scoring against Australia. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealand qualified for the semifinals of the women's rugby World Cup with another convincing pool win in England this morning (NZT).
The Black Ferns beat Australia 32-5 to follow their 55-3 crushing of South Africa and will contest the semis regardless of their final pool result against winless Wales
on Sunday morning (NZT).
Today's winning margin would have been greater if fullback Rebecca Hull had landed more than her one successful shot at goal out of seven.
Six tries proved enough, with flanker Justine Lavea bagging two late in the first spell to virtually seal the outcome as New Zealand 22-5 clear by halftime. The other tries went to hooker Fiao'o Fa'amausili, wingers Carla Hohepa and Victoria Blackledge and centre Huriana Manuel.
Australia rocked the defending champions by scoring first in a strong wind - an eighth-minute try to prop Lindsay Morgan - but they soon found themselves struggling for possession against the efficient Black Ferns pack.
New Zealand won the second half 10-0 after being forced to defend for long periods playing into the elements.
Coach Brian Evans was unhappy with his team's ball retention.
"It was pretty frustrating, we just kept turning the ball over,'' he said.
"We created some good stuff and I thought by the end we were pretty dominant to be honest, but we would have liked a cleaner performance. That's how it goes some days at the office and fair play to the Aussies, they kept coming and coming."
"One thing I did notice today was our physical conditioning, we looked really good towards the end and strong and fit, so that was awesome."
In the other pool A match, South Africa pipped Wales 15-10.
Elsewhere, pool B leaders England continue to loom as New Zealand's chief rivals after hammering Kazakhstan 82-0.
Canada and France are unbeaten in pool C.
- NZPA
