Wallaroos inside center Sharni Williams said she doesn't "want to have to be proud" after Australia was knocked out of the Rugby World Cup.

Australia began its World Cup run with an emphatic start against host New Zealand at Eden Park, having gone up 17-0 within the first half-hour.

While the Black Ferns went on to record a 41-17 win, the Wallaroos bounced back in their other two pool games against Scotland and Wales to qualify for the quarterfinals.

But they would progress no further after coming up against world No. 1 England, which beat the Wallaroos at Waitakere Stadium, 41-5.

Williams, who played in her fourth World Cup, said she was "extremely proud" but wants the Wallaroos to up there with the top teams in the world.

"Extremely proud, but I don't want to have to be proud about that, I want us to be there at that level," Williams said after the quarter final defeat. "The Wallaroos did the best that they could do being amateurs and with their day jobs and the long hours that they've spent. Not coming away with it really hurts and cements that we probably need to be looked at better.

"We're not just the underdogs anymore. We're playing up against the No. 1 team, and we put up some points. We're not that underdog team, and we will go out fighting."

? A remarkable journey#Wallaroos #RWC2021 https://t.co/Xkc1rPRliQ

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) October 31, 2022

The Rugby Sevens gold medalist was impressive in Australia's opening match of the tournament, running eight times for 51 meters - and she also beat four defenders.

Williams, who went on to star in the No. 12 jersey for all four games across the World Cup, wants to see more people watching women's rugby after the success of the tournament.

"It's exciting, it really is, because this World up has been a next level step up," Williams said. "The crowds have been unbelievable, even the skill level of the girls, as well. The set-piece stuff has been awesome, so I can only see it going up from there.

"I just really encourage people to get out and watch rugby, not just at a World Cup. We play grassroots, we play Super W. There are more places that you can find rugby than it just being this one event. If people can just get out there and watch that, then that's going to obviously help us grow as a team."

The final four at the World Cup are set, with Canada set to play England in the first semifinal at Eden Park on Saturday.

After that match, the Black Ferns will take the field against France, who they lost to in back-to-back games during their Northern Tour last year.