New Zealand too strong for France in Women's Rugby World Cup bronze final

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 her debut World Cup to 11 tries.

It all meant 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 more 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.
'Heart and passion'
"That was for the wave of Black in here and at home," said New Zealand full-back Renee Holmes, the player of the match. "It means everything...And that's what this team means. Thank you to the 50,000 in the crowd."

New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant added: "First of all, I'm really proud of the way not just we but the French girls as well were able to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and play with real heart and passion today.

"I'm sure as we go home and sit and dwell, there'll be a lot more reflections to come around the growth in our game, the resourcing... there's been lots of positives as well."

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.

"When we went into the dressing room at half-time the score was quite heavily against us," said France co-head coach Gaelle Mignot. "We tried to give them the right words.

"I was really impressed with the reaction in the second half, so I think there's a lot to believe in for the future."

With Twickenham already two-thirds full 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 flowing move for a 10th-minute try converted by Carla Arbez.

New Zealand equalised when centre Stacey Waaka's sharp inside pass sent in fly-half 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 New Zealand, 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 converting her own try and the fit-again Jorja Miller then set up second row Laura Bayfield.

Sorensen-McGee sprinted in from some 30 yards out early in the second half.

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.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 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 France, with Holmes having the final say with a last-minute penalty.