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New Zealand thrash Wales to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals

New Zealand thrash Wales to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals
New Zealand thrash Wales to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finalsAFP
Winger Portia Woodman (31) became the most prolific try-scorer in women's Rugby World Cup history as New Zealand crushed Wales 55-3 in their quarter-final on Saturday.

The tournament hosts will play France in a high-powered semi-final next week after the French outclassed Italy 39-3 in the day's earlier match in Whangarei.

France's five-try performance was also led by their right winger, with Joanna Grisez snaring a hat-trick.

Woodman's double for the Black Ferns took her to 20 World Cup tries, the most by any player and achieved in just eight games.

It surpasses the 19 tries scored by England outside back Sue Day, who achieved her tally in 13 matches, from 1998 to 2006.

Woodman played down her milestone, pushing praise onto team-mates and New Zealand's attack-first style, which carried them to three big wins in group play, including a 56-12 dismantling of Wales.

"If they didn't do the work they did, I wouldn't be able to get those tries but (the record) is pretty cool, I guess," Woodman said.

"At the start of the game, we wanted our forward to 'mongrel up' and bring that physicality from the get-go.

"And, in the backs, we just let the ball fly. It was really awesome."

The five-time champions took command from the outset, using their high-speed, expansive style to create nine tries, including a brace to hooker Luka Connor.

Fly-half Ruahei Demant scored the final try in a 15-point haul which included five conversions.

Wales missed 50 tackles and their defence was further stretched when Carys Williams-Morris and Lleucu George were both shown second-half yellow cards.

France gouvernement

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