Canada ended double-defending Women’s World Cup champions New Zealand’s reign with a brilliant semi-final win in Bristol on Friday.

The 34-19 defeat was the Black Ferns’ first in the showpiece tournament since 2014.

The North Americans produced a superb opening 40 minutes, running in four tries to lead 24-7 at half-time as Justine Pelletier, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds and Sophie de Goede all crossed the Black Ferns’ line.

Canada captain Alex Tessier added a fifth try early in the second half to seemingly put the result beyond doubt before New Zealand, who only had prop Tanya Kalounivale’s try to show for their first-half efforts, hit back.

But the Black Ferns, the record six-time champions, had left themselves too much to do as their run of 18 successive wins at the World Cup since losing to Ireland 11 years ago ended in emphatic fashion.

Canada are now through to their second World Cup final, having lost to England in 2014.

Next week at Twickenham, they will play the winners of Saturday’s second semi-final, also in Bristol, between tournament favourites England and France.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images