Teenage tyro Braxton Sorensen-McGee bagged another hat-trick as New Zealand continued their World Cup title defence by ousting Ireland to top pool C and ease through to the quarter-final.
The Black Ferns blended clinical attack with clattering defence to ensure there was no repeat of their famous losses to these opponents in the 2014 tournament or last year in Vancouver.
They ended the game with a flowing team move that travelled 80 metres up the pitch and was capped by Maia Joseph, the replacement scrum-half. Underpinned by speed and handling skills, it was quite a statement.
Switched back to the wing for this last pool game, Sorensen-McGee rewarded slick back play with three finishes, having already laid on New Zealand's opener for Stacey Waaka. Following a treble against Japan last time out, her tally for the World Cup now sits at six.
Chryss Viliko powered over for the other try in a contest that also underlined the power of the Black Ferns. Sylvia Brunt was exceptional at inside centre, earning the official player of the match award.
Backed by the vast majority of a 30,000 crowd, Ireland spent plenty of time in the New Zealand 22 but found themselves continually thwarted - never more agonisingly than when Dannah O'Brien's kick bobbled away from the chase of Amee-Leigh Costigan.
They had done enough with wins over Japan and Spain to reach the last eight, yet must now lick their wounds and regroup.
France have just kicked off against South Africa to decide who will top Pool D, which will affect who plays who in quarter-finals one and three.
That is the final act of the match down in Brighton and New Zealand beat Ireland 40-0 to top Pool A.
What a way to cap of the afternoon by the Black Ferns! You might think they would just boot the ball out of play to end the game but they attack from their own 22, with the move being finished off by Joseph in the right corner. A stunning try and a superb conversion once from Holmes to secure a comprehensive victory for the Black Ferns.
What a day for the young winger! They come to the left of the scrum and Joseph fires a flat pass out to Sorensen-McGee, who does the rest down the left wing. A fantastic conversion from the touchline by Holmes.
New Zealand are in possession deep inside the Irish 22 and have a penalty in the shadow of the posts. The Black Ferns elect for a scrum.
New Zealand think they have gone from one end to the other to score their fifth try but it is chalked off. Ireland make a mess of dealing with a New Zealand kick and the ball comes loose. Miller scooped up the loose ball before offloading to Holmes to score but there was a small knock-on by Miller on the floor as she picked up so the try does not stand.
Ireland are knocking on the door but New Zealand steal it and clear. Another chance wasted by Ireland.
Ireland are on the attack once more inside the New Zealand 22 and are awarded a penalty as the Black Ferns fail to roll away.
New Zealand are warned about their discipline.
The maul is set and Ireland look set to roll over the line. They seem destined to score as the maul is over the line but somehow New Zealand hold the ball up. Ireland have had plenty of opportunities in the New Zealand 22 but failed to take them. That is the difference today; New Zealand have been clinical, Ireland have not.
After winning a penalty inside the New Zealand half, Ireland have a five-metre lineout. The maul is halted but Ireland have a penalty advantage just a few metres shy of the line.
Nothing comes from that advantage so we go back for the penalty. Ireland send it back into the corner.
The lineout is overthrown by the Irish and New Zealand steal it before clearing.
McGrath is tackled off the ball by Henwood on halfway and O'Brien sends the kick to the fringes of the New Zealand 22.
Ireland hit 10 phases and are still knocking on the door.
However Tukuafu is over the ball quickly and secures New Zealand a penalty at the breakdown.
Ireland have a good attacking opportunity inside the New Zealand 22 and have a penalty advantage five metres out from the line. Nothing comes from it so we come back for the penalty which Lane takes quickly...
Double prop change for Ireland as McCarthy and McGrath replace O'Dowd and Djougang. They also bring on Corri and Lane.
That feels like game, set and match. It is a first-phase try straight from the lineout and created by a series of good offloads. Waaka gets around the outside and gets the pass off to Holmes, who executes the final pass along the line to give Sorensen-McGee an easy finish. Holmes nails the conversion and New Zealand lead 26-0.
New Zealand are threatening once more, attacking on the fringes of the Ireland 22. The ball goes loose on the ground but only after a deliberate knock-on by Ireland.
The Black Ferns will send it into the Irish 22.
New Zealand ring the changes in the pack as Henwood, Bayfield and Tukuafu are all on.
So close for Ireland. Agonising for them. O'Brien spots there is no-one in behind for New Zealand and sends the kick down the field. Costigan has a free run at it and is just hoping the ball stays in play as it would be an easy finish. Unfortunately for Ireland the ball bounces to the left and goes dead. So frustrating for Costigan and Ireland.
Ireland change their hooker as Moloney MacDonald replaces Jones.
Holmes picks out Miller with a crossfield kick down the right wing and New Zealand are deep inside the Irish 22.
They then shift the ball into the hands of the backs to the left but this time Holmes gets her crossfield kick wrong as the ball bounces awkwardly just in front of Sorensen-McGee, who spills the ball forward.
A bit of kick tennis ensues but New Zealand most definitely win that battle. They find grass in the Irish 22 and O'Brien slices her clearing kick.
New Zealand dominate the scrum on the Irish feed and steal possession.
McMahon is going off and is being replaced by Boles. Another Irish change, this time in the backs as McGann replaces Parsons.
Ireland make great progress from halfway to deep into the New Zealand 22 courtesy of plenty of good offloads. They are just five metres out from the New Zealand line before a knock-on from the Black Ferns. Ireland are pushed back to the edge of the 22 after a loose offload and you have to wonder why play did not just go back for the knock-on five metres from the New Zealand line. There was also a question mark over whether it was a deliberate knock-on but that is cleared.
Play is then halted due to injury so play will resume with an Ireland scrum.
We are back under way in the Brighton sunshine.
That is it for the first half and, at the break, New Zealand lead 19-0.
The defending champions are moving away from the Irish. They come to the right and Waaka gets around the outside of O'Brien before offloading to Sorensen-McGee on the right touchline. The winger sprints into the Irish 22 before stepping inside Higgins and scoring. Holmes adds the conversion and New Zealand's advantage is up to 19.
New Zealand do well to disrupt the Irish maul inside the New Zealand and the ball is trapped so New Zealand win the scrum. Good maul defence by the Black Ferns.
Ireland are awarded a penalty on halfway but this is a concerning moment for them as full-back Flood is down and appears to be in some pain. This could be a huge problem for the Irish going into the knockout stages.
The stretcher comes out and her day is over. Ireland will be hoping that is not the case for the rest of her tournament.
Flood applauds the crowd as she is taken off and is replaced by McGillivray.
Ireland, for what feels like the first time in a while, have possession near the New Zealand 22 but they are forced back by the rush defence from New Zealand, which eventually forces a wasteful kick by Ireland.
A change at tighthead prop for New Zealand as Rule replaces Kalounivale.
Ireland are awarded a penalty just inside their own half as Mikaele-Tu'u jumps across illegally at the lineout so Ireland can send the kick towards the New Zealand 22.
Ireland are not helping themselves and putting themselves under unnecessary pressure as their own lineout goes wrong inside their own 22 and New Zealand steal possession. However Ponsonby knocks on to give Ireland relief.
New Zealand are on the attack inside the Irish 22 and they come down the right. Waaka gets a brilliant offload off the ground into the hands of Woodman but the next pass is loose and goes into touch.
Viliko has a try to her name but she knocks on just before taking contact and the chance is gone for New Zealand.
Ireland are penalised for a high tackle on halfway and New Zealand send the kick into the Irish 22. The pressure is building on Ireland.
The defending champions are beginning to flex their muscles. They are knocking on the door and loosehead prop Viliko carries so powerfully from a few metres out that the Irish defenders cannot stop her.
However, what happens with the conversion is quite stunning. Holmes is deemed to have started her run-up so the Irish players charge and kick the ball off the tee before the New Zealand kicker could so so. Great quick thinking from the Irish.
Ireland concede another penalty and the pressure will remain on as New Zealand sent it back into the corner for a five-metre lineout.
New Zealand threatening once more as Miller makes the initial break and offloads outside to Sorensen-McGee, who advances down the right touchline and is brought down just shy of the Irish 22. New Zealand are then given a penalty and send it towards the corner.
The Black Ferns strike first but will it stand? Mikaele-Tu'u is the one to instigate the attack for New Zealand as she makes the break into the Irish half. They then have numbers down the right and come down that side. They execute it well but there are question marks over the last pass from Sorensen-McGee to Waaka, who scored the try. It appeared to go forward but the try stands. The conversion is successful and New Zealand lead by seven.
New Zealand gain some decent momentum in the Irish 22 but there is a knock-on on the ground and Ireland celebrate after a good defensive set.
This must be a first in rugby as the game is paused due to the government's emergency alert so if you phone has just gone beserk do not panic!
Ireland shoot themselves in the foot with loose passing and then are penalised on their 10-metre line. It could have been even worse as Bremner nearly intercepted a pass and could have raced clear all the way to the line. New Zealand send the penalty into the Irish 22 and the Ireland defence needs to stand up.
New Zealand have their first proper period in possession inside the Irish half but they go off their feet at the breakdown and are penalised.
The ball is sent into the hands of the Irish backs and Higgins carries hard to within a few metres of the New Zealand line but Hogan knocks on moments later. Ireland will be so frustrated to have wasted two good chances whilst the New Zealand defence has stood up.
Ireland try a trick at the front of the lineout but Campbell is bundled into touch. Ireland will know they need to be clinical in the red zone but they have stolen the ball now from the New Zealand lineout. New Zealand knocked it on so Ireland will have the scrum just five metres from the try line.
Ireland go through a number of phases inside the New Zealand half and eventually earn themselves a penalty as New Zealand are caught not rolling away at the breakdown.
Ireland send it towards the corner and it is a terrific kick by O'Brien, who went for it and it will be a five-metre lineout incoming...
We are under way in Brighton. Who will top Pool C; Ireland or New Zealand?
Ireland starting XV: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Beibhinn Parsons, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Amee-Leigh Costigan, 10 Dannah O'Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Edel McMahon, 6 Grace Moore, 5 Sam Monaghan, 4 Ruth Campbell, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Niamh O'Dowd.
Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald, 17 Siobhan McCarthy, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20 Claire Boles, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Nancy McGillivray, 23 Anna McGann.
New Zealand starting XV: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'I Sylvia Brunt, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant, 9 Risaleaana Porui-Lane, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Layla Sae, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Vici-Rose Green, 17 Kate Henwood, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kennedy Tukuafu, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Theresa Setefano, 23 Ayesha Leti-I'iga.
Both sides emerge from the tunnel into the Brighton sunshine and it is time for the national anthems. "God Defend New Zealand" followed by "Ireland's Call".
Ireland starting XV: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Beibhinn Parsons, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Amee-Leigh Costigan, 10 Dannah O'Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Edel McMahon, 6 Grace Moore, 5 Sam Monaghan, 4 Ruth Campbell, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Niamh O'Dowd.
Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald, 17 Siobhan McCarthy, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20 Claire Boles, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Nancy McGillivray, 23 Anna McGann.
New Zealand starting XV: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'I Sylvia Brunt, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant, 9 Risaleaana Porui-Lane, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Layla Sae, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Vici-Rose Green, 17 Kate Henwood, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kennedy Tukuafu, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Theresa Setefano, 23 Ayesha Leti-I'iga.
Brighton hosts the Pool C decider as Ireland take on defending champions New Zealand in the final round of pool-stage matches. Both sides have already booked their places in the quarter-finals so it is all to play for in terms of top spot in the group.
New Zealand thrashed Spain 54-8 in their opening match before securing another convincing victory in game two, beating Japan 62-19. Their director of performance Allan Bunting has highlighted the importance of cohesion and consistency of selection.
"We have been blessed with world-class facilities and a warm welcome here in Brighton which has allowed us a quality lead into this weekend," Bunting said. "Every game in our World Cup journey is crucial to us, and we want to finish our pool phase strong. Our women have all had an opportunity to play the past two games. Consistency and cohesion will be a key focus around our selections. We have had critical learnings out of the last two weeks and are building well."
Ireland meanwhile also have two wins out of two; they beat Japan 42-14 in game one in Pool C before beating Spain 43-27 in game two. They will have to cope without star forward Aoife Wafer, who missed the opening two games due to a knee injury and has not quite made it for today.
In the most recent meeting between the sides, Ireland defeated the reigning world champions 29-27 in WXV1 in Vancouver a year ago. Speaking ahead of today's game, their co-captain Edel McMahon believes the top sides like New Zealand are taking Ireland more seriously these days.
"I am sure they felt from the last outing they took us for granted more than they wanted to," McMahon said. "We can never control what the opposition is going to feel against us, but only control how we take the game and prepare. Leading into this World Cup, we have started to gain respect, where this Irish team is coming from, it is not unexpected teams will take us more seriously."
The winner will face the side that finishes runners-up in Pool D and the loser will play the winner of Pool D, which will be either South Africa or France, who face off later this afternoon. Kick-off from Brighton is at 2.45pm.