Black Ferns face France in World Cup semifinal

The Black Ferns will play France for a place in the women's rugby World Cup final after ending pool play with a third comfortable win in Canada.

New Zealand, seeking a third straight crown, defeated a stubborn Scotland 21-0 in Edmonton to eliminate them from Wednesday's top four playoffs.

In the other semifinal, second seeds England, who downed France 27-8 on Saturday, will be favoured to overcome the tournament hosts.

Canada made the semifinals on points differential due largely to their 45-5 defeat of minnows Kazakhstan and France limiting the damage against England.

Confined to a pair of Hannah Myers penalties in the first spell, New Zealand ultimately pulled clear with a strong breeze at their backs as lock Monalisa Codling, Victoria Blackledge and fellow-wing Stephanie Mortimer touched down.

"It was a messy first half, we struggled to get into any rhythm. Though Scotland were going to struggle to score, there was no need to panic," coach Jed Rowlands said.

The injection of Exia Edwards and New Zealand's leading try scorer Amiria Marsh after halftime added some backline flair, while blindside Melissa Ruscoe also lifted the forward effort to keep the Scots at bay.

Rowlands admitted he was slightly surprised that France, the 2004-05 Five Nations winners, were "cleaned up" by current champions England and maintained they would be a threat.

"France will be a good semifinal for us. I'm impressed by them ... We're going to have to be right on to it and work hard."

- NZPA