Defending champion Canada ran in seven tries en route to a lopsided 45-7 women's rugby win over Australia in Brisbane on Friday, completing an unbeaten run through the Pacific Four Series.
The second-ranked Canadians must now await the outcome of No. 3 New Zealand's home game against the ninth-ranked U.S. on Saturday in North Harbour to see whether they retain their title.
Canada and New Zealand went into the final round tied on eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. But New Zealand held the tiebreaker edge over Canada — a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada.
The Canadians (2-0-1) achieved their goal Friday by defeating Australia (1-2-0), scoring four tries for a bonus point and running up the score. A New Zealand bonus-point win Saturday and the title will be decided by points differential.
Canada's points differential now stands at plus-50. But the Black Ferns will undoubtedly add to their differential, having thumped the U.S. 57-5 when they met in last year's Pacific Four Series.
Canada improved to 7-0-0 all-time against No. 6 Australia.
Canada dominated set pieces, pushing back the Wallaroos in the scrum and winning lineouts. The Canadians led 26-0 at the half and could have added to the lead, with another try called back for obstruction and handling errors ending other attacks.
McKinley Hunt, Karen Paquin, Julia Schell, Laetitia Royer, Krissy Scurfield, captain Alex Tessier and Fabiola Forteza scored tries for Canada. Schell booted five conversions.
Desi Miller scored Australia's try with Faitala Moleka adding the conversion.
The two teams could meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals this summer in England.
Canada had lost just one of its nine previous matches
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