Both teams fell to surprising defeats in the pool phase yesterday, but were in impressive form in their opening matches of the knockout stage.

The Australian team delivered an impressive display to overcome the United States by a convincing 22-5 scoreline, before defeating Canada 26-14 in the semi-finals.

New Zealand had looked to be cruising through their last four after they led 19-7 against England at half-time, but they were forced to hold off a late fightback when Emily Scott and Abigail Brown scored tries in the closing stages.

However, it did not prove enough to bring the English team back into contest as they eventually fell to a 24-19 defeat.

The Kiwis proved unable to continue their strong run in the final as Australia, winners of the Dubai and São Paulo rounds, claimed their third straight win.

Tries from Charlotte Caslick and Emilee Cherry were followed by a brace from by Selica Winiata as Australia emerged as 24-19 victors.

"We didn't have the best start to a tournament after losing to England but we came back, showed character and we keep improving every tournament,” said Emma Tonegato, who scored 10 tries during the weekend.

"I'm just the finisher and so they [team-mates] do all the hard work and I just have to do my job and cross the white line."

England bounced back from their semi-final defeat to claim a 26-14 win over Canada in the third place play-off.

Australia boast a maximum total of 60 points in the standings after winning the first three rounds of the series to close in on the overall crown, with two competitions remaining.

Following their runner-up finish in Atlanta, New Zealand are second on 46, while Canada lie third on 42.

Canada will host the fourth round of the series from April 16 to 17 in Langford.