Australia storm into semi-finals
New Zealand and Australia secured semi-final berths at the Women's Rugby World Cup after beating Wales and South Africa respectively.
Three-time defending champions New Zealand secured the first semi-final place at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 after beating Wales 41-8 to top Pool A, before Australia beat South Africa 62-0.
In the opening match of the day, Scotland proved too strong for Sweden in Pool C before France beat Canada 23-8 in a repeat of the third place play-off at the last two World Cups to reach the semi-finals.
Ireland's hopes of a first ever Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final ended despite their biggest win of the tournament.
The final match of the pool stages saw England beat the USA in a battle of two former world champions.
Results
Scotland 32-5 Sweden
France 23-8 Canada
New Zealand 41- 8 Wales
Ireland 37- 3 Kazakhstan
Scotland 32 – 5 Sweden
England 37 – 10 USA
Semi finals:
England v Australia
New Zealand v France
Ireland 37- 3 Kazakhstan
Ireland produced a solid display to beat Kazakhstan 37-3 and finish their Pool B campaign at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, but it wasn't enough for the girls in green to reach a first ever semi-final.
Tries from Niamh Briggs, Louise Beamish, Orla Brennan, Eliza Downey, Kate O'Loughlin and another Joy Neville brace gave Ireland hope, but they couldn't score the required number of points to stay in contention for the best second placed spot across the three pools.
Ireland coach Philip Doyle: “I am very happy indeed, we went out with the intentions of getting the bonus point and that's what we did. We did our goal. Unfortunately we didn't get into the semis because of other teams, we had to rely on Canada to win their match to set it up but unfortunately they lost to France. But in our game, goal achieved, we are in our middle group, I'm not too sure where we are, but delighted.”
Australia 62-0 South Africa
Australia had to win by a margin of 56 points or more to secure their place in the last four ahead of Canada who lost to France earlier today, and this they did with the very last movement of the match when Sharni Williams burst through the middle to score her second try of the match under the posts.
Nicole Beck (left wing) scored 17 points for Australia while Lindsay Morgan (tight head) also scored a brace of tries.
Australia coach John Manenti: “We certainly left a few points out there which in coach speak means I'm not happy but the effort from the girls and the lessons that we learned from our last game were significant in today's performance. Sharni was outstanding. She's been great all tour and I think she got paid today for months of hard work.”
New Zealand 41- 8 Wales
The Black Ferns of New Zealand maintained their hopes of a fourth successive Women's Rugby World Cup title with an impressive 41-8 win against redoubled Wales in their final pool match at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.
Set the target of cancelling out England's strong lead in points difference for a chance of entering the semi-finals as top seeds, New Zealand opted instead to field nine players who didn't start against Australia.
In doing so, coach Brian Evans highlighted the full talent at his disposal and ensured valuable match sharpness and competition for places across the full breadth of his squad entering the tournament's knock-out stages.
Spurred on by the disappointments of opening losses against Australia and South Africa, Wales were much-improved and matched the kiwis up front for long periods of the match. They also finished the first half in the ascendency to score their only try, but over the full 80 minutes of the tie the Black Ferns were much the better side.
Captain for the day Victoria Grant showed class and poise, open side flanker Joan Sione put in a strong case for semi final selection and both Rebecca Mahoney and Kelly Brazier gave mature performances in changed positions at fly-half and full-back respectively.
Player-of-the-match Brazier needed only five minutes after the restart to claim a fine hat-trick and her score also opened the floodgates as the brave Welsh defence flagged in the face of wave after wave of unrelenting attack.
New Zealand coach Brian Evans: “There is a heap to work on, it was pretty frustrating at times. There were some great tries though so fair play to the ladies. I like it (the hat-tricks) so long may it continue.
“Our try scoring ability is awesome, our players certainly know their way to the try line. They strung some really good movements together and I think for the ladies game it is good, I hope the crowd enjoyed it.”
France 23-8 Canada
France left their best display in the pool stages until last to beat Canada 23-8 and secure their place in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-finals as Pool C winners, leaving their opponents to sweat for a few hours to see if they will join them as the best second placed side.
Tries from Lucille Godiveau (2), Cyrielle Bouisset and Amandine Vaupre ensured that France got the vital victory, having failed to pick up bonus points against Scotland and Sweden, in an entertaining game of free-flowing rugby.
France number eight Claire Canal: “We are really happy to have beaten Canada. We are in the semi finals and it's really amazing. Nobody thought we would win the game and so it shows that this French team is not a bad team.
“They [Canada] are a good team. We saw on the video that they are a quick team and very athletic, they have strong forwards but we have strong forwards too. I hope we make it to the final.”
Scotland 32-5 Sweden
Scotland ended the pool stages of Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 on a high after beating Sweden 32-5 in the opening match of the day at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.
The Scots, beaten 17-7 by France last time out, scored the first try of the game after only four minutes, when a lineout deep in the Swedish half turned into a fierce maul pushing second row Lindsay Wheeler over the line.
Even with the score mounting, Sweden never gave up the task in hand but handling errors meant that scoring was just beyond their reach, until that is Andersson-Hall broke through the defence and found centre Johanna Norberg to touch down their only points of the match.
The win means Scotland finish third in Pool C with five points, four more than Sweden.
England 37 – 10 USA
England, who had strolled to previous victories over Ireland and Kazakhstan, maintained their 100 per cent record with a hard-fought win over USA.
The scoreline sees Catherine Spencer's troops top Pool B with three wins and they now face a last four showdown with Australia for a place in the final.
Danielle Waterman crossed twice in the first half and further scores from Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Amber Penrith and Maggie Alphonsi sealed the bonus-point triumph.
With thanks to the IRB