France out to knock New Zealand off England collision course

Favourites England and defending champions New Zealand have long been slated as most likely to face off in the women's Rugby World Cup final but France and Canada have other ideas heading into Saturday's semi-finals at Auckland's Eden Park.

The French are the more likely spoilers having beaten New Zealand in their last four meetings, including back-to-back encounters during the Black Ferns tour of Europe last November.

Having helped dent the aura of the five-time world champions, France coach Thomas Darracq believes his team will not be over-awed when they bid to reach the World Cup final for the first time at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby.

"The match in Eden Park will be unique, because it is a World Cup semi-final, because it is not an autumn tour," he said on Thursday.

"It's a really special moment. Having beaten them gives you that feeling that it's playable. But even if we had lost, it would still be playable. But maybe this gives a little more strength to this group."

New Zealand's tour of Europe last year, when they also lost heavily to England twice, triggered significant changes within the Black Ferns set up early this season.

Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith was brought in to lead the team and he adopted a high tempo running game he hoped would counter the remorseless forward power of the top Europeans.

New Zealand have shown plenty of attacking flair throughout the tournament against lesser opponents but Smith knows the true test will come against the French on Saturday.

"We have decided as a group that we have to change the way we play," he said. "It's been quite a big job and I've got really good coaches working with me and we're all pretty proud of what we've done, but now it's crunch