The format is four pools with seedings based primarily on the 1994 World Cup results. After two rounds the top two teams in each pool qualify for the "Cup" quarter-finals, while the bottom two teams qualify for the "Plate" quarter-finals.

Because New Zealand did not participate in the last World Cup, it was seeded to meet defending champion England in the semi-finals.
 

They showed rugby supremacy in the third women's World Cup by trouncing the United States 46-12 on Saturday.
 

Right wing Vanessa Cootes proved the star of the game with five tries, completing her hat-trick in the first 30 minutes to shore up the game for the New Zealanders by the break. Congratulations to coach Darryl Suasua and the Black Ferns.