New Zealand down Scotland to reach semis

EDMONTON – New Zealand downed Scotland 21-0 and prevented the Scots from reaching the Women’s World Cup rugby semifinals, where the Black Ferns joined England, France and Canada on Friday.

On Tuesday, New Zealand will face France and England will meet Canada, copying the last Cup in 2002 at Barcelona. New Zealand went on to beat England in the final for its second successive Cup.In Friday’s last group matches, England bullied France 27-8, the United States edged Australia 10-6, Canada walloped Kazakhstan 45-5, Spain upset Samoa 14-12, and Ireland routed South Africa 37-0.Canada, hammered 66-7 by the Black Ferns in the tournament opener, edged Scotland on points difference in making the semis.The United States, finalist in the first three Cups and inaugural winner in 1991, missed out on the last four for the second straight Cup.The Black Ferns scored three tries in six minutes to shrug off a tenacious Scotland 21-0.Hannah Myers kicked two penalties in the first half for the Black Ferns while Scotland captain Paula Chalmers squandered two goalkick chances with the wind.Then lock Monalisa Codling, winger Victoria Blackledge and Stephanie Mortimer crossed in quick succession and New Zealand notched its 13th straight win since the 1998 Cup.Nampa-APNew Zealand went on to beat England in the final for its second successive Cup.In Friday’s last group matches, England bullied France 27-8, the United States edged Australia 10-6, Canada walloped Kazakhstan 45-5, Spain upset Samoa 14-12, and Ireland routed South Africa 37-0.Canada, hammered 66-7 by the Black Ferns in the tournament opener, edged Scotland on points difference in making the semis.The United States, finalist in the first three Cups and inaugural winner in 1991, missed out on the last four for the second straight Cup.The Black Ferns scored three tries in six minutes to shrug off a tenacious Scotland 21-0.Hannah Myers kicked two penalties in the first half for the Black Ferns while Scotland captain Paula Chalmers squandered two goalkick chances with the wind.Then lock Monalisa Codling, winger Victoria Blackledge and Stephanie Mortimer crossed in quick succession and New Zealand notched its 13th straight win since the 1998 Cup.Nampa-AP