The only team with a winning record against defending champion New Zealand lost it after Ireland was blown away 40-0 in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Brighton on Sunday.

Ireland had won two of their three contests, most recently last September. But a much-changed New Zealand — only nine survivors from the 29-27 loss last year — was too strong, too quick and too slick after two stuttering wins over Spain and Japan.

Teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee finished three of New Zealand’s six tries — her second successive World Cup hat trick. Renee Holmes made five conversions from the sideline and had a late end-to-end try ruled out by a slight knock-on.

Both teams were already through to the quarterfinals but New Zealand, by winning the pool, will play the loser of the late France-South

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