Three-try Woodman helps Black Ferns to big rugby win over Ireland

The Black Ferns rounded off their season with a 38-8 win over Ireland.

Centre Portia Woodman scored a hat-trick of tries as the Black Ferns eased past Ireland 38-8 in their rugby international in Dublin to complete their season unbeaten.

Fullback Selica Winiata also scored two tries and first five-eighth Kelly Brazier one in the Black Ferns' comfortable six-try win to make it three wins from three on their northern tour.

Prior to the tour-ending Dublin international, the Black Ferns had also beaten world champions England 25-20 in London and Canada 20-10 in Dublin.

Portia Woodman, pictured here in earlier action against Australia, scored three tries in the Black Ferns win over Ireland.

It also ended a miserable week for the luckless Irish after their previous 48-7 loss at the hands of 2014 World Cup finalists Canada.

The Black Ferns had previously cruised past Australia twice (67-3 and 29-3) at home to help kick-start their successful 2016 campaign.

The Black Ferns had previously suffered a shock 17-14 loss to Ireland at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup. It was the first World Cup match the Black Ferns had lost since the semifinal against USA in 1991. 

New Zealand 38 (Portia Woodman 3, Selica Winata 2, Kelly Brazier tries, Kendra Cocksedge 3 con, Hazel Tubic con) Ireland 8 (Niamh Kavanagh try, Niamh Briggs con, Nora Stapleton pen)

Photo: Getty Images