Wednesday, September 24, 2025

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 27th September at 5.50pm.  

Their are six changes to the side after their latest loss to South Africa, with Ardie Savea captaining the side in the absence of Scott Barrett who is out with a shoulder injury. In the forwards, Codie Taylor returns from concussion in place of Samisoni Taukei’aho who drops to the bench, and Fabian Holland comes in at lock. In the backs, Cam Roigard returns at halfback and Caleb Clarke on the left wing, while Leroy Carter moves to the right wing and Will Jordan moves to fullback.

Damian McKenzie drops back to reserves, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Cortez Ratima are also added after returning from injury, and Peter Lakai is added as loose forward cover for the first time this year.

All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, (Vice-Captain) 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea (Captain), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain) , 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan. 

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie.


Australia:

1 James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Corey Toole, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Max Jorgensen

Reserves: 

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Angus Bell, 8. Allan Alaalatoa 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Filipo Daugunu

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Blacks Ferns Beaten By Canada

The Blacks Ferns have lost their Rugby World Cup semi-final to Canada 34-19 and will now face France in the third-fourth playoff match on Saturday 27th at 11.30pm NZT.

The Black Ferns had yet another slow start to the match, and Canada scored three tries in the opening twenty four minutes. It wasn't until the 30th minute that New Zealand scored a try to prop Tanya Kalounivale, and they went into half time 24-7 behind. Things were much better in the second half, but they were unable to pull back the first half deficit even with further tries to flanker Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and winger Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

Black Ferns: 19 

Tries: Tanya Kalounivale, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Conversions: Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Canada: 34 

Tries: Justine Pelletier, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Sophie de Goede, Alex Tessier, Conversions: de Goede 3, Penalty: de Goede

Sunday, September 14, 2025

All Blacks Fall To South Africa

The All Blacks have suffered a record 43-10 defeat against South Africa in Wellington on Saturday night. After the All Blacks held a 10-7 half time lead, the South Africans pounced on All Black missed tackles and handling errors to score 36 unanswered points, with replacement players unable to make much difference . There is a two week break before the All Blacks face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 27th September, at 5.05pm

New Zealand: 10

Try: Leroy Carter, Conversion: Damian McKenzie, Penalty: McKenzie 

South Africa: 43

Tries: Cheslin Kolbe 2, Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen, Conversions: Manie Libbok 5, Penalty: Libbok

Black Ferns Through To Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals

The Black Ferns are into the Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals after a 46-17 win over South Africa. The Black Ferns were hit early in the first half by South Africa and were made to make a large number of first half tackles as South Africa had the majority of the ball in hand. After a 10-10 draw at halftime, the first fifteen minutes in the second half saw the Black Ferns score four tries to give themselves a good buffer.

The Black Ferns will face Canada in their semi-final at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Saturday 20th September, 6am NZT, while England will host France in Exeter on Sunday 21st September at 2.30am.

Black Ferns: 46 

Tries: Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Renee Holmes 2, Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Katelyn Vaha'akolo, Conversions: Sorensen-McGee 2, Holmes

South Africa: 17 

Tries: Babalwa Latsha, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Conversion: Byrhandre Dolf


Wednesday, September 10, 2025

All Blacks Named For Second South Africa Match

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face South Africa in Wellington on Saturday night 7.05pm. The changes see Chiefs winger Leroy Carter to make his debut on the wing after Emoni Narawa was injured last week, Samisoni Taukei’aho start at hooker in place of Codie Taylor who is out with concussion and Tyrel Lomax starts at prop. Noah Hotham returns from injury to start at halfback with Finlay Christie moving to the reserves, and Will Jordan moves to the wing with Damian McKenzie starting at fullback. 

All Blacks:

Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Beauden Barrett, Noah Hotham, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: 

Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Ruben Love.


Springboks: 

Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Lood de Jager, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche. 

Reserves: 

Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Black Ferns Through To Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals

The Black Ferns have topped Pool C and are through to the Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals after a 40-0 win over Ireland this morning. The match featured another hat-trick of tries for Braxton Sorensen-McGee who played on the wing, but also resulted in injury concerns for props Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale.

Black Ferns: 40

Tries: Stacey Waaka, Chryss Viliko, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 3, Maia Joseph, Conversions: Renee Holmes 5

Ireland: 0


All Blacks Get First Up Win Over South Africa

The All Blacks hold a single point lead over Australia in the 2025 Rugby championship, after a 24-17 win against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday night. The All Blacks opened the match strongly, and held a 14-3 half time lead after tries to Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan, but as expected South Africa struck back in the second half with tries of their own to Malcolm Marx and Cobus Reinach. A try to replacement back Quinn Tupaea sealed the match for the All Blacks, but it took robust defence in the final minutes and a turn over by Ardie Savea in his 100th All Blacks match to make it certain.

New Zealand: 24

Tries: Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Conversions: Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie 2, Penalty: McKenzie 

South Africa: 17

Tries: Malclom Marx, Cobus Reinach, Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Penalty: Handre Pollard