WOMEN'S WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE

The women of Australia continued their assault on the World Cup title with a resounding 72-0 win over France earlier today.

An impressive 14 tries sealed the victory for the in-form Aussies, almost securing their place in the final on Sunday.

It was Joanne Barrett that opened the scoring with just four minutes on the clock, running through the French defence and placing the ball down to give Australia an early lead. Ali Brigginshaw couldn’t convert the resulting kick however and the score stayed at 4-0.

The Australians didn’t have to wait long for their second try of the game as Jenni Sue Hoepper ran over the line to double her team’s lead. Once again Brigginshaw failed to convert.

It was Emma Tonegato’s turn to add her name to the score sheet next as she skipped over the line. Brigginshaw’s terrible run of kicking form continued as she once again spurned the chance to convert.

Brigginshaw’s streak didn’t last for much longer however as she converted the try scored by Samantha Hammond, giving the Australians an 18 point lead.

With just two minutes left in the first half it was Hoepper who once again reared her head and placed the ball down for her second try of the game and Australia's  fifth.

The women in gold continued their impressive form in the second half. With just nine minutes gone Jessica Palmer broke through the French defence to further increase the Australian’s advantage, but once again Brigginshaw failed to add the extra two points, keeping the score at 32-0.

The Australians were showing no signs of slowing down and their persistence paid off as Hammond sealed her hat trick with Brigginshaw on target with the extras.

Another hat trick followed soon after; this time for Tonegato. Brigginshaw dispatched the conversion, giving the Australians a healthy 50 point lead over their French counterparts.

With just over 10 minutes to go Hammond scored her fourth try of the game and with the French looking throughly defeated it was Stephanie Hancock’s turn to get her name on the board.

Two quick-fire tries from her and two further conversions from Brigginshaw brought the score to 66-0.

With one final flourish the Australians ensured that they had the perfect ending to the game with Hammond going over the line once again to give her her fifth try of the game.

Brigginshaw ended her inconsistent kicking display on a high note, adding the extra two points.

“In the first half we were a bit flat,” said Australia coach Paul Dyer after the game. “For us it’s just about regrouping now and making sure we manage injuries. We play New Zealand on Thursday and that should be a good test for us.”

Australia now go into the game against New Zealand knowing that a win would ensure them a place in the final and a shot at World Cup glory.

FRANCE
Miorin, Degas, Guigue, Cousseau, Jean, Ciria, Zaghdoudi, Signoret, Delas, Maurouard, Benchoug, Fauvelle, Lenet, Decarnin, Pittana, Lacoste, Varela

AUSTRALIA
Hammond, Tonegato, Hoepper, Barrett, Palmer, Brigginshaw, Murphy, Hancock, Young, Ballinger, Turner, Kunst, Norris, Westera, Young, Walton, Sulusi