A clean sweep of wins in the International Women’s Rugby Series sets New Zealand up perfectly for the Women's Rugby World Cup in France in August. The Black Ferns made it four wins from four with a second straight win over Canada, who will also head to France in buoyant mood after a win over Australia and two highly creditable performances against the world champions.

NEW ZEALAND 33-21 CANADA

New Zealand laid the platform for victory with a strong first-half showing, which brought tries for Shakira Baker, Huriana Manuel, Renee Wickliffe - all converted by the superb Kelly Brazier - and Fiao'o Fa'amausili. Canada replied with an try from Elissa Alarie to trail by 19 points at the break at 28-7.

Two minutes into the second half, fly half Brazier got in on the act with the Black Ferns' fifth try, to the delight of the 1,410-strong crowd at Whakatane. But Canada refused to buckle and Magali Harvey capped a fine performance by outstripping two defenders to score a superb solo try on 55 minutes.

Handling mistakes prevented Canada turning further pressure into points until Hilary Leith dived over near the end for their third try. Harvey's third conversion made it 33-21.

NEW ZEALAND 16-8 CANADA

Canada put in a determined showing but handling mistakes and resolute defence from New Zealand kept them at bay until centre Mandy Marchak managed to put the finishing touches to an attack four minutes from time.

This match was far more competitive than the last between the sides when New Zealand beat their hosts 66-7 at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2006 in Edmonton.

Two penalties from in-form scrum half Kendra Cocksedge and a try from vice-captain Amiria Rule saw the Black Ferns go into the interval 11-3 up with Canada’s points coming from the boot of Magali Harvey.

Six minutes into the second half, Selica Winiata scored her seventh try of the series to extend the lead to 13 points before Canada grabbed their late consolation score.

“This game was all about building confidence to recognise the fact that we can beat any team in the world,” said Canada forwards coach Gary Dukelow. “The fact that we finished strongly indicates we have the will to win.”

NEW ZEALAND 90-12 SAMOA

Given the rare chance to play at Eden Park – and as a curtain raiser to the All Blacks’ first Test with England – the Black Ferns did not disappoint their fans, running in 15 tries for a record win against the Manusina.

It took New Zealand 15 minutes to shake off a bit of rustiness, but once Honey Hireme’s try was the first of four tries in the first half as the Black Ferns showed the attacking potential in their backline, half of whom played on the Women’s Sevens World Series in 2013/14.

Within 90 seconds of the restart Hireme was in for her second and the tries came at regular intervals then for the Black Ferns with Selica Winiata helping herself to five in total in the match with Huriana Manuel (2), captain Amiria Rule and Renee Wickliffe (2) also crossing the whitewash.

The Samoans, though, battled to the finish and had the final say with fly half Bella Milo touching down and then converting her own score to add to the earlier effort by Sharlene Fagalilo.

“Now we know where we're at and where we need to be. We need to lift a few notches. The girls fought well, they fought to the very end, but the fitter, stronger, faster team won,” said Samoa head coach Euini Lale Saumuina.

CANADA 22-0 AUSTRALIA

Canada kicked off their final countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 with a victory over Australia in the first ever international between the two nations.

A tight first half saw little in the way of try-scoring opportunities until Canada eventually broke the deadlock when Jacey Murphy bundled over from close range after good work from her forward pack.

Despite creating one or two chances in the second half, the Wallaroos were unable to convert the opportunity into points and were punished for their profligacy when Andrea Burk converted a penalty to extend the Canadian lead to 8-0 after 50 minutes.

A high-tackle saw Australian full back Ashleigh Hewson sin-binned and a ruthless Canadian side took immediate advantage with Murphy crossing for her second try before captain Kelly Russell put the game beyond doubt by finishing off a fine move.

NEW ZEALAND 38-3 AUSTRALIA

It took time for New Zealand to find their form against an Australian side playing their first Test since Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010, a statistic that belied the strong start the Wallaroos made to the match at the Rotorua International Stadium.

They dominated the first quarter and took the lead through an Ashleigh Hewson penalty and while Kendra Cocksedge levelled the scores minutes later, it took the Black Ferns until 25 minutes in to break through the Australian defence with captain Amiria Rule dotting down.

Another penalty sent New Zealand in with an 11-3 advantage, albeit only after holding up a determined Australian attack over the line on the cusp of half-time. The Australians were equally committed in the second half but the Black Ferns scored four tries to win 38-3 with a try on debut for Sevens star Honey Hireme among them.

“We really came out with great intent in the first half and I think New Zealand was stunned by our commitment to defence,” said Australia coach Paul Verrell. “The spirit of this Wallaroos squad cannot be questioned as they really gave New Zealand a lot to think about and forced them to earn that win.”

Black Ferns captain Amiria Rule added: “We had a telling off in the changing rooms and finished how we should probably have started the match.”