Rugby World Cup: New Zealand trounce Wales 55-3 to set up semi-final game against France

New Zealand 55-3 Wales, Whangarei

Portia Woodman and Luka Connor scored two tries apiece as New Zealand thrashed Wales 55-3 in the quarter-final of the World Cup in Whangarei on Saturday.

The Black Ferns ran in nine tries to stamp their authority in the tournament and now will be facing France in the semi-final in Auckland on 5th November.

Wales qualified into the top eight as one of the two best third-placed team but had a tough outing with their only points coming through the boots of Keira Bevan in the 16th minute.

Playing in front of 16,834 spectators, Wales looked good and had an opportunity to open their account early but Elinor Snowsill's penalty goal drifted wide. Nevertheless, New Zealand got going in the 12th minute when quick hands allowed Woodman to score her first try and Ruahei Demant kicked the conversion.

A 30m kick from Bevan helped Wales reduce the arrears but Woodman and Demant combined to send Ruby Tui over for the home side before aiding Sarah Hirini, who completed their third try inside 30 minutes. With Demant converting the try from Hrini, New Zealand had a 19-3 lead.

With the break approaching, Amy Rule dived over after terrific work from Woodman and Demant's conversion allowed the Black Ferns to finish the opening half with a 26-3 lead.

It took New Zealand just three minutes to get going after the break and it was once again Woodman, who completed her second and shortly replacement hooker Luka Connor also went over to make it 40-3.

With no further response from Wales, who were also pegged back by sin-bins to Carys Williams-Morris and Lleucu George in the 56th and 59th minutes respectively, further tries from Connor, Alana Bremner and Demant ensured Black Ferns completed a dominating win as they head into the top four.

Team line up:

New Zealand: Ruby Tui; Portia Woodman, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Ayesha Leti-I'Iga; Ruahei Demant (capt), Kendra Cocksedge; Phillipa Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner, Sarah Hirini, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u

Reserves: Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Santo Taumata, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Renee Holmes

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lowri Norkett, Carys Williams-Morris, Hannah Jones (capt), Lisa Neumann; Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan; Cara Hope, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries

Reserves: Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Georgia Evans, Siwan Lillicrap, Ffion Lewis, Lleucu George, Meg Webb.