New Zealand thrash France in World Cup third-place play-off

Women's Rugby World Cup third-place play-off

New Zealand: (26) 42

Tries: Demant, Brunt, Holmes, Bayfield, Sorensen-McGee (2) Cons: Holmes (3) Pens: Holmes (2)

France: (7) 26

Tries: Bourdon, Champon, Vernier, Boulard Cons: Arbez, Tuy (2)

New Zealand's World Cup defence ended pinch a third-placed decorativeness arsenic they thrashed France successful a ascendant show astatine Twickenham.

Playing earlier England's last pinch Canada amid a lively atmosphere, nan Black Ferns recovered from France's early effort to lead 26-7 astatine half-time.

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee crossed doubly midway done nan 2nd half to decorativeness nan tourney pinch 11 tries and widen her lead successful nan tournament's try-scoring chart.

France past scored 3 precocious tries to make nan scoreline much respectable, but nan six-time world champions had nan consequence wrapped up.

"I'm proud of america and nan French of really overmuch heart, passion and pridefulness we played pinch today," said Black Ferns skipper Ruahei Demant.

"There will beryllium a batch much reflection, but this tourney successful England - adjacent play to England for putting connected specified an unthinkable tournament."

New Zealand, who were hoping to triumph a record-matching 3rd consecutive World Cup, had their 11-year unbeaten streak successful nan tourney ended by Canada successful nan pair's semi-final 8 days ago.

Their legendary winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who earlier this tourney became New Zealand's grounds try-scorer, was brought to tears by a opinionated ovation erstwhile she was replaced by Katelyn Vaha'akolo successful nan 57th minute.

The 34-year-old came retired of status to play for nan Black Ferns successful nan tournament.

As for France, their World Cup ended pinch a seventh consecutive third-place play-off. They were beaten 35-17 by hosts England successful their semi-final successful Bristol.

New Zealand: Holmes; Sorensen-McGee, Waaka, Brunt, Woodman, Demant, Pouri-Lane; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu'u, Miller, Olsen-Baker.

Replacements: Green, Tangen-Wainohu, Rule, Bremner, Sae, Joseph, Setefano, Vaha'akolo.

France: Boulard; Grisez, Konde, Vernier, Menager, Arbez, Bourdon; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou, Maka, Fall, Escudero, Champon, Feleu.

Replacement: Bigot, Deshayes, Khalfaoui, Ikahehegi, Morland, Chambon, Tuy, Arbey.