A clinical effort on attack led the Black Ferns to a comprehensive 33-21 win over Canada in Whakatane on Saturday.
Four tries gave the hosts a 26-7 halftime lead, but the Canadians illustrated they were not to be underestimated with two tries in the second half.
Tactically, the Black Ferns were sound on attack and were led around the park superbly by first five-eighth Kelly Brazier, whose four conversions and a try sealed a perfect (four from four) international series for the Black Ferns.
Athletic flanker Karen Pacquin was the star woman for Canada, while fullback Elissa Alarie was rewarded for a strong effort with a 70m intercept try.
Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili opened the scoring for the Black Ferns, before Renee Wickliffe showed her superb speed and footwork to score the second.
The third try was courtesy of a slick pass from Brazier that found Huriana Manuel in a gap, and the Black Ferns were 21-0 up after 26 minutes.
The Canadians did their best to create opportunities and it paid off right on halftime. Alarie, outnumbered on defence, took a risk to try to intercept a long pass. It paid off and she was under the posts for her side's first try of the afternoon.
The deficit was 19 points at the halftime break before Brazier's try made the game safe.
Canada had the best of the final quarter, exposing holes in the Black Ferns' defence that led to two tries.
Women's rugby
The scores
Black Ferns 33
Kelly Brazier, Shakira Baker, Huriana Manuel, Renee Wickliffe, Fiao'o Fa'amausili tries; Brazier 4 con
Canada 21
Elissa Alarie, Magali Harvey, Hilary Leith tries; Magali Harvey 3 con
Halftime: Black Ferns 26-7.
