New Zealand too strong for France in Women's Rugby World Cup bronze final / Photo: Adrian Dennis - AFP
New Zealand too strong for France in Women's Rugby World Cup bronze final
New Zealand maintained their record of never losing back-to-back matches at the Women's Rugby World Cup with a 42-26 win over France in the third-place play-off at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Black Ferns had the match all but won at half-time, leading 26-7 after outscoring Les Bleues four tries to one in the opening period -- with three of those scores coming in the closing eight minutes of the half.
New Zealand teenage wing sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee struck twice in the second half to take her tally for this tournament to 11 tries.
New Zealand, the record six-time women's world champions, had enough in hand to withstand a France fightback in the last quarter as Les Bleues scored three tries of their own.
New Zealand found themselves in unfamiliar territory after their run of 18 consecutive World Cup wins ended with a 34-19 semi-final loss to an inspired Canada -- the Black Ferns' first loss at the tournament since 2014.
They had never before played in a bronze final, although New Zealand did share third place with France at the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991.
France, who have never reached the final, suffered a second defeat in their eighth bronze-medal game. They lost 35-17 by tournament hosts and favourites England in the semi-finals last weekend.
With some 50,000 fans already present at Twickenham ahead of an expected 82,000 sell-out for the final between England and Canada later Saturday, France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus crowned a typically flowing move for a 10th-minute try converted by Carla Arbez.
New Zealand were soon level when centre Stacey Waaka's sharp inside pass sent in fly-half Ruahei Demant for a try between the posts.
Black Ferns centre Sylvia Brunt, after several carries by the forwards, showed good strength to stretch over for a try eight minutes before the break.
There was still time for the Black Ferns, increasingly dominant up front, to add two more tries before the interval.
A give-and-go between Brunt and Renee Holmes ended with Holmes finishing unopposed before the full-back converted her own try.
On the stroke of half-time, the fit-again Jorja Miller set up second row Laura Bayfield to finish on the counter-attack.
Sorensen-McGee sprinted in from some 30 yards out early in the second half before Holmes landed a penalty.
There was an emotional moment when New Zealand great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who reversed her retirement from 15-a-side rugby to play at this World Cup, was replaced in what could be the wing's last match at this level.
After France had a try disallowed, Sorensen-McGee surged in for her second score of the match on the hour mark.
France's Lea Champon and Gabrielle Vernier pulled tries back before Emilie Boulard went over with eight minutes remaining.
But it was too little too late for Les Bleues, with player of the match Holmes having the final say with a last-minute penalty.
A.Thys--JdB
