New Zealand downed Scotland 21-0 and prevented the Scots from reaching the Women's World Cup rugby semi-finals, where the Black Ferns joined England, France and Canada on Friday.
Tuesday's semis -- New Zealand vs. France and England vs. Canada -- copies the last Cup in 2002 at Barcelona. New Zealand went on to beat England in the final for its second successive Cup.
In Friday's last group matches, England bullied France 27-8, the US edged Australia 10-6, Canada walloped Kazakhstan 45-5, Spain upset Samoa 14-12, and Ireland routed South Africa 37-0.
PHOTO: AFP
Canada, hammered 66-7 by the Black Ferns in the tournament opener, edged Scotland on points difference in making the semis. The US, finalist in the first three Cups and inaugural winner in 1991, missed out on the last four for the second straight Cup.
The Black Ferns scored three tries in six minutes to shrug off a tenacious Scotland 21-0.
Hannah Myers kicked two penalties in the first half for the Black Ferns while Scotland captain Paula Chalmers squandered two goalkick chances with the wind. Then lock Monalisa Codling, winger Victoria Blackledge and Stephanie Mortimer crossed in quick succession and New Zealand notched its 13th straight win since the 1998 Cup.
England controlled France through a superior pack and fast-handling backs to underline its second seeding.
By halftime England led 13-0, winger Danielle Waterman finishing off two team moves. Center Sue Day added two more tries for a 27-0 lead before France capped the scoring through winger Fanny Horta.
"We expect a fierce battle against Canada. Playing on home soil can be a big advantage," England coach Geoff Richards said.
The US drove over captain and lock Jen Crouse in a rolling maul from a lineout early on but Australia rallied ahead on two Tobie McGann penalties.
Just before halftime the Americans turned over ruck ball outside their 22 and center Pam Kosanke broke and ran 55 meters to score in the corner.
Both defenses then canceled out the other in a tense but scoreless second spell.
"We felt we had energy and momentum after that second try," Crouse said. "Then in the second half they had us on the back foot and we tried to hold on."
Canada securing a bonus point for its fourth try by the 15th minute against Kazakhstan. Heather Moyse scored four of Canada's seven tries, her first only 30 seconds into the match.
Spain upset Samoa 14-12 for its first win. Samoa's defense hung on while it was reduced to 13 players for a time in the scoreless first half. It scored first through fullback Valuese Sao Taliu while Spain had a player yellow-carded, but winger Berta Garcia leveled for Spain at 7-7.
Sao Taliu's second try wasn't converted, which proved crucial when Spain captain Isabel Rodriguez won the race to toed ball in goal and flyhalf Ines Etxegibel hit the match-winning conversion.
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