Women's Rugby - New Zealand 29-8 England, Pukekohe
New Zealand women outclassed England to win 29-8 in the third and final Test in Pukekohe, producing their most emphatic performance to take the series 3-0 after winning the first Test in Auckland 29-10 and the second in Hamilton 14-9.
The world champions displayed too much class in the backline and scored four tries to one to win without need for a late burst of scoring to push them clear, unlike in the first two Tests.
England's Katy McLean slotted an early penalty to open the scoring but New Zealand dominated the remainder of the match, scoring converted tries through centre Claire Richardson and flanker Aroha Savage to claim a 17-3 lead at half-time. Fly-half Kelly Brazier had a hand in both tries and converted them both as part of her nine-point haul.
Veteran England prop Rochelle Clark handed the tourists a glimmer of hope when she scored off a rolling maul soon after half-time, but New Zealand fullback Seleca Winiata restored the 14-point lead after supporting a break by winger Portia Woodman. Reserve scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge scored the fourth try after the final hooter had sounded.
New Zealand's sweep of England reverses the tourists' dominance in recent seasons: England had won five of the rivals' six Tests since the 2010 World Cup final, all on English soil, drawing the other.
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