We look back at the playoff and semi-finals at the Women's Rugby World Cup and sum up how each team stands going into the final round of games.
By Ali Donnelly
South Africa
Two wins out of five is a good return for the side who finished bottom at the last World Cup and Denvar Wannies will be delighted his side has avoided a final day playoff to avoid that same ranking. The 25-10 win over Kazakhstan was not pretty but a rematch against Wales means they can finish 9th - a massive incentive.
Kazakhstan
Yet to pick up a win in this competition, their discipline let them down in the game against South Africa, with a rash of yellow cards and a red in the second half. This is an ageing team and their depth is being tested no doubt with six games in three weeks. They will have to find another level to beat Sweden in the final match to avoid the World Cup Wooden Spoon.
Wales
A comfortable win over Sweden will boost confidence as the 6 Nations team know they simply must finish 9th to come out with their reputation in tact from this World Cup. They've had a disappointing campaign by their own standards but let's not forget that their pool supplied two of the World Cup semi-finallists. They'll relish a rematch against South Africa who they feel they should have beaten last week.
Sweden
The team with so much spirit and plenty of upbeat supporters will face a titanic battle against a far more physical Kazakh side on Sunday. Sweden are still a good team to watch, despite not winning a match, with their loose style of play often leading to exciting attack but their lightness up front and inability to play through the phases is always a problem.
Canada.
Went out and proved a point against Scotland with a 41-0 drubbing. Finishing fifth is now paramount for the Canadians who have already dropped two rankings from the last World Cup. They impressed against the Scots simply with their determination and ruthlessness and they will be favourites going into their last game against old rivals the USA.
Scotland.
The Scots are already assured of climbing the rankings so its doubtful they'll be too down about the defeat to a superior Canada side - more likely they'll be looking to the Irish clash to allow them to finish what would be a very credible 7th. That would be a great return for a team who have been under pressure.
USA
Finding their form again at the World Cup - the USA were clinical against Ireland and determined not to lose to the same opposition twice in a week. This was always going to be a vastly different American offering, with their strongest team on show and with extra determination after breaching England's tryline twice at the weekend. Their battle with Canada will be a real tussle on Sunday.
Ireland
With less depth than some of the other teams in their playoff pool, beating the US twice was always going to be a tough ask. The manner of the defeat is something of a surprise - such a high score was unexpected - but minus some first choice players through untimely injuries was going to make this a tough day at the office. They must beat Scotland next if they want to improve their 8th place ranking.
France
Looked completely overwhelmed by New Zealand and employed an odd backline defence against the world's best attackers - sending their centres flying up in a ploy that did not work with the Black Ferns piling on the points in the first half. They have been disjointed throughout this tournament, never really hitting their stride but they have a chance to finish third which when playing badly is no mean feat.
New Zealand
Looked a different class again and hardly put a foot wrong - again. Brian Evans had the luxury of taking off some of his key players with half an hour to go such as the gulf on the scoreboard and he'll be particularly pleased with the devastating running of his back three - who were simply outstanding. Well on course for a fourth title in a row at this stage.
Australia
Top marks for their battling - they never gave up against England despite going two tries down early in the game. Had they turned some of their second half pressure into a try and perhaps kicked less possession away they would have made a real game out of this. For first time semi-finallists they did not let themselves down - their tackling was immense, and a little more experience might have seen them give England a real run for their money but a sterling effort from the underdogs here. Nicole Beck's tackle should be watched again.
England.
Job done - England are in the final everyone expected and they have been businesslike about their task to now. Their opening half in the semi was impressive but they should have added more points with the dominance they enjoyed. They had to call on all of their defensive ability to keep Australia out in the second half and that they did so will please Gary Street with that area of their game needing to be watertight this Sunday against a flying Kiwi outfit.
