Canada thrash Australia to set up New Zealand semi

Canada set out their case as Women’s World Cup contenders and set up a mouth-watering semi-final with holders New Zealand as they ruthlessly demolished Australia in Bristol.

The world number two side, who crowdfunded their tournament preparations with a charity drive entitled ‘Mission: Win Rugby World Cup’, were irresistible in the first half, crossing five times.

Australia, who led England for the first half-hour of last weekend’s pool-stage match in Brighton, were behind after only two minutes as flanker Caroline Crossley cantered through out wide and wing Asia Hogan-Rochester took advantage to race in unopposed.

That combination of hard-running forward and quicksilver backs, connecting with superb handling skills, was in evidence again and again. The Wallaroos had no answer.