Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Teenage flyer Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a hat-trick of tries as the defending champion Black Ferns sent a signal of intent by whitewashing Ireland 40-0 at the Rugby World Cup.
The biggest concern for the world champions were injuries suffered by starting props Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale, which forced both players from the field.
Unbeaten New Zealand, who scored six tries, topped pool C and will now take on France in the first of the quarter-finals in Exeter on Sunday, while Ireland are also through to the last eight after finishing second in the pool.
The Irish, who came into the game with a 2-1 winning record over the Black Ferns, began strongly in front of a sell-out 30,000 crowd but failed to convert early pressure and then found themselves 12-0 behind after 20 minutes.
First Stacey Waaka sped over in the 15th minute, after a quick ball down the line, before prop forward Chryss Viliko powered over five minutes later from close range.
Renee Holmes.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
The 18-year-old Sorensen-McGee jinxed past two defenders to score the first of her three tries to put New Zealand 19-0 up at the break, before showing another impressive turn of speed in the 58th minute to go over for the Kiwis’ fourth try.
New Zealand, who won the last World Cup on home soil four years ago, also had the opportunity to show their defensive qualities, which will come in handy in the knockout stages, as they tigerishly kept Ireland at bay in the latter stages of the game, thwarting efforts at a comeback.
Sorensen-McGee, 18, then ran past a tiring Irish defence to complete her hat-trick – her second of the tournament – with a minute to go and straight from the kick-off she was part of a sweeping move downfield that Maia Joseph finished off.
Experienced centre Stacey Waaka said last year’s shock loss to Ireland was part of their motivation.
“There was lots of talk about Ireland beating us two out of the last three times so we wanted to go out there, not just to play good rugby, but to put the foot on the throttle and I think we did that,” she told Sky Sport.
Japan came from behind to beat Spain 29-21 earlier on Sunday in York to finish third in Pool C but both teams had already been eliminated.
Italy’s Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi got a hat-trick of tries as her side proved much too strong for World Cup newcomers Brazil, winning 64-3 at Northampton to claim third spot in Pool D.
– Reuters