Rugby: Black Ferns cruise into World Cup semifinals

Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali of the Black Ferns breaks through. Photo / Getty

Black Ferns boss Glenn Moore says his side's game plan worked to perfection in their 48-5 demolition of Canada, securing a spot in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Moore's troops ran in eight tries to one in Dublin on Thursday (local time), successfully luring Canada's outside backs into the middle of the field through forward power plays.

In an eventful display, tighthead prop Aldora Itunu bagged a hat-trick and a yellow card, while Eloise Blackwell was also sin-binned.

Yet the side's 20-minute stint with 14 players mattered little as they stormed into the semi-finals, against the United States.

The Kiwis had earlier beaten Hong Kong 121-0 and Wales 44-12, ensuring they qualify from pool play with three bonus-point wins.

"For the first time in the tournament, we've seen combinations of forwards scoring, backs scoring, forwards taking on the power plays through the middle and bringing in defenders on both edges," Moore said.

"What we'd shown in the preview was how it all rolled out, and we made some real strides forward today. We put them under a lot of pressure."

The win was particularly special for skipper Fiao'o Fa'amausili, who brought up an unprecedented 50th Black Ferns Test cap and celebrated with a try.

The 36-year-old veteran is playing in her fifth World Cup - three of which she has won - and has captained the Ferns since 2012.

She had the Farah Palmer Cup player of the year award named in her honour on Wednesday, the first of its kind for the women's provincial competition.

The Black Ferns also honoured her with a post-game haka.

"That was absolutely magnificent. Gosh, 50 games, and the girls really pulled through today, so really stoked," Fa'amausili said.

"I told the girls today, it's do or die. You've got to play every game like it's your last and this is our final, and that's what they went out there to do."

- AAP