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

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

Black Ferns Win Opening Pacific Four Series Match

The Black Ferns have opened their 2024 Pacific Four Series with a win over the United States in Hamilton. The Black Ferns scored nine tries to one, with four scored in the opening eight minutes. 

Black Ferns: 57 

Tries: Amy du Plessis, Mererangi Paul 3, Katelyn Vaha'akolo, Mo'onia Vaipulu, Ruby Tui, Layla Sae, Patrica Maliepo, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 3, Hannah King 3

USA: 5 

Try: Hallie Taufoou

Black Ferns Beat Australia To Retain OReilly Cup

The Black Ferns have beaten Australia 43-3 in Hamilton on Saturday to retain the Laurie O'Reilly cup.

The Black Ferns scored seven tries in total, and led 31-0 at halftime, with a more determined Australia limiting the score in the second half. After holding the Black Ferns scoreless for the first 30 minutes in the second half, the red carding of Australian Bridie O'Gorman, saw the Black Ferns run in two further tries.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 43

Tries: Katelyn Vahaakolo 2, Krystal Murray, Patricia Maliepo, Sylvia Brunt, Lucy Jenkins, Martha Mataele, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 4

Australia Wallaroos: 3

Penalty: Carys Dallinger

Black Ferns Named To Face Australia In Hamilton

New Zealand Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has named his side to face Australia in the second O'Reilly Cup match at 4.35pm in Hamilton on Saturday.

Bunting has named three debutants on his reserves bench, Auckland prop Chryss Viliko, Manawatu loose forward Layla Sae and Canterbury winger Martha Mataele. He also has Northland lock Charmaine Smith returning to the side after initially retiring in 2019 with a neck injury, and Auckland utility Patricia Maliepo starting at fullback after she missed last years Rugby World Cup win with concussion.

The Black Ferns will also play further internationals in the inaugural WXV 1 series against France on 21st October at Sky Stadium in Wellington, Wales on 28th October at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and England on 4th November at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 

1-Krystal Murray, 2-Georgia Ponsonby, 3-Amy Rule, 4-Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5-Charmaine Smith, 6-Alana Bremner, 7-Kennedy Simon (cc), 8-Liana Mikaele Tu'u, 9-Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 10-Ruahei Demant (cc), 11-Katelyn Vahaakolo, 12-Sylvia Brunt, 13-Amy du Plessis, 14-Mererangi Paul, 15. Patricia Maliepo

Reserves: 

16-Luka Connor, 17-Chryss Viliko, 18-Tanya Kalounivale, 19-Lucy Jenkins, 20-Layla Sae, 21-Iritana Hohaia, 22-Rosie Kelly, 23-Martha Mataele

Australia Wallaroos: 

1. Bree-Anna Cheatham, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Sera Naiqama, 5. Michaela Leonard (C), 6. Kaitlan Leaney, 7. Emily Chancellor, 8. Ashley Marsters, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Carys Dallinger, 11. Ivania Wong, 12. Trilleen Pomare, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Lori Cramer

Reserves: 

16. Tania Naden, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 19. Leilani Nathan, 20. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 21. Jasmin Huriwai, 22. Cecilia Smith, 23. Faitala Moleka

Blacks Ferns Defeat USA With 14 Players

The Black Ferns have rebounded to beat USA 39-17 after the early shock of having halfback Iritana Hohaia sent off in the second minute after an accidental head clash. The Black Ferns trailed 17-5 at half time after also having Liana Mikaele-Tu’u sin-binned late in the half and dropping back to 13 players. The second half saw a few replacement players added to the Black Ferns, with five tries scored amid a stronger defensive effort.

Black Ferns: 39 

Tries: Grace Gago, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Pip Love, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Conversions: Renée Holmes 3, Conversion: Holmes 

USA: 17 

Tries: Paluvava’u Freda Tafuna, Rachel Johnson, Conversions: McKenzie Hawkins 2, Penalty: Hawkins

Black Ferns Win Against Canada

The Black Ferns have won their match against Canada 52-21 in Ottawa for the Pacific Four Tournament, with another match this Saturday 8.00am against the USA.

Black Ferns: 52

Tries: Mererangi Paul 2, Amy du Plessis 2, Luka Connor, Ruahei Demant, Renée Holmes, Kelsey Teneti, Conversions: Holmes 6

Canada: 21

Tries: Sophie de Goede, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia DeMerchant, Conversions: de Goede 3

New Zealand Black Ferns Named For Rugby World Cup Final

New Zealand Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith has named his side to face England in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup to be played at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 12th November 7.30pm.

There is one change to the starting side which beat Wales in the semi-final, with Charmaine McMenamin at number eight replacing Liana Mikaele-Tu’u who has a thumb injury.

England have made two changes to their starting side, with Ellie Kildunne replacing Helena Rowland at fullback and Lydia Thompson replacing Claudia MacDonald on the wing. In the reserves there are two changes, with Cath O’Donnell and Tatyana Heard bought in.

New Zealand Black Ferns:

1. Phillipa Love, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Maiakawanakaukani Roos, 5. Chelsea Bremner, 6. Alana Bremner, 7. Sarah Hirini, 8. Charmaine McMenamin, 9. Kendra Cocksedge, 10. Ruahei Demant (c), 11. Portia Woodman, 12. Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13. Stacey Fluhler, 14. Ruby Tui, 15. Renee Holmes

Reserves:

16. Luka Connor, 17. Krystal Murray, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20. Kennedy Simon, 21. Ariana Bayler, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga

England:

1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (c), 9. Leanne Infante, 10. Zoe Harrison, 11. Abby Dow, 12. Holly Aitchison, 13. Emily Scarratt, 14. Lydia Thompson, 15. Ellie Kildunne

Reserves:

16. Lark Davies, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Cath O’Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Sadia Kabeya, 22. Claudia MacDonald, 23. Tatyana Heard

Black Ferns Through To World Cup Semi Final

The Black Ferns will face France at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 5th November in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup after beating Wales 55-3 in Whangarei. 

New Zealand Black Ferns: 55 

Tries: Portia Woodman 2, Luka Connor 2, Ruby Tui, Sarah Hirini, Amy Rule, Alana Bremner, Ruahei Demant, Conversions: Demant 5

Wales: 3 

Penalty: Keira Bevan

Black Ferns Win Opening Rugby World Cup Match

The All Black Ferns have won their opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup over Australia 41-17 in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Black Ferns got off to a slow start, dropping the ball from the opening kick-off, and conceding early penalties. They trailed 17-0 after 28 minutes after two tries to wing Bienne Terita and a further to Ivania Wong, but by half time had pulled it back to 17-12 after tries to lock Joanah Ngan-Woo and Portia Woodman.

The second half saw the Black Ferns level the match with Woodman's second try in the 47th minutes, but then Australia suffered a double blow. Winger Ivania Wong was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, and captain Shannon Parry also off soon after a shoulder to head contact in a tackle. Black Ferns replacement prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohulock then scored with Woodman following with her hat-trick and Ruby Tui also getting a double.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 41 

Tries: Portia Woodman 3, Ruby Tui 2, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Conversions: Renee Holmes 2, Kendra Cocksedge

Australia Wallaroos: 17 

Tries: Bienne Terita 2, Ivania Wong, Conversion: Arabella McKenzie

Black Ferns Win Second Match Against Australia

The New Zealand Black Ferns have beaten the Australian Wallaroo's in Adelaide 22-14. It was a different match to the last start 52-5 win in Christchurch, with the Australians scoring the first try, and their defense forcing multiple errors from the Black Ferns. Playing into the wind in the first half, the Black Ferns kept in in close with the forwards, but struggled with the combative nature from the Australians, and it was on defense that the they went down to 14 players when Chelsea Semple left the field after a head clash in a tackle saw her sin-binned. The Black Ferns recovered to lead 10-7 at half time, but half much to work on before the Rugby World Cup.

The Black Ferns have confirmed they will play a pre-tournament test against Japan at Eden Park on September, in what will be a double header with the All Black v Australia match.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 22 

Tries: Luka Connor, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kendra Reynolds, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 2, Penalty: Demant

Australia: 14 

Tries: Bienne Terita 2, Conversions: Arabella McKenzie 2

Black Ferns Win Over Australia

The New Zealand Black Ferns have beaten the Australian Wallaroos 52-5 in the opening game of the Laurie O'Reilly Cup series at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night.

The Black Ferns led 26-0 after 31 minutes, and at halftime after early handling errors were righted with forward oriented play before getting the ball wide. The second half was a continuation, although errors again crept into their game. The return match is next Saturday at Adelaide Oval, with the countdown to the Rugby World Cup only seven weeks away.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 52 

Tries: Ruahei Demant 2, Ayesha Leti-I’iga 2, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Amy du Plessis, Kendra Cocksedge, Luka Conno, Conversions: Cocksedge 3, Renee Holmes 3 

Australia: 5 

Try: Piper Duck

Black Ferns Win Pacific Four Series

The Black Ferns have beaten the USA Eagles 50-6 in Whangarei on Saturday to win the Pacific Four Series. In a match played in wet conditions, the Black Ferns scored eight tries, with wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga scoring a hat-trick.  

In the earlier match Canada had beaten the Australian Wallaroo's 22-10

New Zealand Black Ferns: 50 

Tries: Ayesha Leti-I’iga 3, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Renee Holmes, Sylvia Brunt, Kendra Reynolds, Renee Wickliffe, Conversions: Hazel Tubic 3, Ruahei Demant, Renee Holmes 

USA Eagles: 6

Penalties: Megan Foster 2 

Farah Palmer Cup Week Four Results

Manawatū Cyclones: 67 

Tries: Jayme Nuku, Rangi-Marie Sturmey, Kaia Walker-Waitoa 2, Lauran Balsillie 2, Layla Sae 2, Crystal Mayes, Elinor-Plum King, Janna Vaughan, Conversions: Walker-Waitoa, Carys Dallinger 4, Laura Claridge

Hawke's Bay Tuis: 12 

Tries: Amelia Pasikala, Michaela Baker, Conversion: Krysten Cottrell

Wellington Pride: 26 

Tries: Georgia Daals, Ayesha Leti-l'iga, Harmony Ioane, Conversion: Amanda Rasch, Penalties: Rasch 3

Counties Manukau Heat: 25 

Tries: Kalo Cuthers 2, Shannon Muru, Conversions: Hazel Tubic 2, Penalty: Tubic

Otago Spirit: 22 

Tries: Daimzel Rongokea, Cheyenne Cunningham, Teilah Ferguson, Conversions: Sheree Hume 2, Penalty: Hume 

Waikato: 29 

Tries: Chelsea Alley, Victoria Edmonds 2, Mia Anderson, Kennedy Simon, Conversions: Ariana Bayler 2

North Harbour Hibiscus: 24 

Tries: Jessie Courtenay Malupo, Wairakau Greig, Kate Williams, Tenaija Fletcher, Conversions: Hayley Hutana 2 

Taranaki Whio: 10 

Tries: Keighley Simpson, Aroha Nuku

Northland: 27 

Tries: Sela Moata'ane, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali 2, Tiaho Mahanga, Krystal Murray, Conversion: Murray

Tasman: 0 

Auckland Storm: 7 

Try: Aldora Itunu, Conversion: Ruahei Demant 

Canterbury: 32 

Tries: Grace Steinmetz, Olivia McGoverne, Phillipa Love, Amy Rule, Jorja Miller, Conversions: Kendra Cocksedge 2, Penalty: Rosie Kelly

Black Ferns Sevens Win Gold In Tokyo

The All Black Ferns women's sevens side has beaten France 26-12 to win gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The New Zealand side had progressed to the final after a close 22-17 win over Fiji in the semi-final after scoring a golden point try in extra time. The play-off for bronze saw Fiji beat Great Britain 21-12.

Semi-Final:  

New Zealand: 22 

Tries: Gayle Broughton 2, Stacey Fluhler, Portia Woodman, Conversion: Tyla Nathan-Wong 

Fiji: 17 

Tries: Reapi Ulunasau, Vasiti Solikoviti, Conversion: Viniana Riwai

Final:

New Zealand: 26 

Tries: Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, Stacey Fluhler, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Conversion: Nathan-Wong 3

France: 12 

Tries: Caroline Drouin, Anne-Cecile Ciofani, Conversion: Ciofani

Farah Palmer Cup Week Two Results

Week two of the Farah Palmer Cup saw a full round of matches, with wins to North Harbour at home over Tasman, Northland over Hawkes Bay in Napier, Canterbury over Waikato in Hamilton, Manawatu over Taranaki at home, Counties Manukau over Bay of Plenty at home, and Auckland over Otago in Dunedin. 

North Harbour: 35 

Tries: Hayley Hutana, Jade Wong, Anita Berry, Kate Williams, Ciara O'Connor, Conversions: Hutana 2, Penalties: Hutana 2 

Tasman: 32 

Tries: Easter Savelio, Eleri James-Smithers, Karla Wright-Akeli, Jess Foster-Lawrence, Eve Findlay, Conversions: Findlay 2, Penalty: Finlay

Canterbury 24 

Tries: Kendra Cocksedge 2, Grace Steinmetz, Conversions: Cocksedge 3, Penalty: Cocksedge

Waikato: 17 

Tries: Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Tanya Kalounivale, Kelsey Teneti, Conversion: Chelsea Alley

Northland Kauri: 46 

Tries: Kamila Wihongi, Sela Moata'ane, Hikitia Wikaira, Timara Leaf, Krystal Murray 2, Hinewai Pomare, Holli O'Sullivan, Conversions: Leilani Erwin, Murray, Tyler Nankiville

Hawke's Bay: 31 

Tries: Michaela Baker 2, Harmony Kautai 2, Moomooga Palu, Conversions: Krysten Cottrell

Manawatu: 48 

Tries: Janna Michel Vaughan 2, Lucy Brown 2, Crystal Mayes 2, Lauren Basillie 2, Conversions: Carys Dallinger 4 

Taranaki: 5 

Try: Aroha Nuku

Counties Manukau: 21 

Tries: Leilani Perese, Aeron Kalela Warbrooke, Conversion: Hazel Tubic, Penalties: Tubic 3

Bay of Plenty: 13 

Tries: Manaia Nuku, Karli Faneva, Penalty: Kalyn Takitimu-Cook

Auckland: 39 

Tries: Tafito Lafaele 2, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Natahlia Moors, Cristo Tofa, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 4, Penalties: Demant 2

Otago: 15 

Tries: Keely Hill, Oceana Campbell, Conversion: Sheree Hume, Penalty: Hume 

Farah Palmer Cup Week One Results

The opening round of the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup has seen wins for Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington. Defending champions Canterbury had a nine tries to two 59-12 win over Counties Manukau in Christchurch on Saturday, with Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge getting a double as well as centre Grace Booker. Auckland has beaten Bay of Plenty 44-12 at Eden Park in wet conditions, with a second half surge after only leading 15-5 at halftime. On Sunday Wellington defeated Otago 13-5 at Jerry Collins Stadium, with their defense proving the difference. With lots of errors marring Otago's game, it wasn't until the 74th minute that right wing Daimzel Rongokea scored the first points for the visitors.

Canterbury: 59 

Tries: Lucy Anderson, Kendra Cocksedge 2, Grace Brooker 2, Isabella Waterman, Alana Bremner, Olivia McGoverne, Tayla Simpson, Conversions: Cocksedge 5, Waterman 2

Counties Manukau: 12 

Tries: Emily Kitson, Amiria Te Iringa, Conversions: Hazel Tubic

Auckland: 44 

Tries: Maia Roos, Shannon Leota, Princess Elliot, Cristo Tofa, Sylvia Brunt, Sam Curtis, Conversions: Rauhei Demant 4, Penalties: Demant 2

Bay of Plenty: 12 

Tries: Grace Parata-Stewart, Kiki Tahere, Conversion: Ashleigh Timoko

Wellington: 13 

Try: Monica Tagoai, Conversion: Amanda Rasch, Penalties: Rasch 2

Otago: 5 

Try: Daimzel Rongokea 

Canterbury Win Farah Palmer Cup

Canterbury have won the 2020 Farah Palmer Cup after beating Waikato 8-7 in Christchurch on Saturday. Canterbury scored a late try with time up on the clock to secure their fourth consecutive title.

Canterbury: 8

Try: Cindy Nelles, Penalty: Kendra Cocksedge

Waikato:

Try: Kennedy Simon, Conversion: Chelsea Alley

Farah Palmer Cup Finals Teams Named

Waikato v Canterbury, 2.15pm Saturday 31 October, Rugby Park, Christchurch.

Both Waikato and Canterbury are unbeaten this season in their respective northern and southern pools, and face off in the final match of the season for the Farah Palmer Cup. In 13 previous matches, Waikato have never beaten Canterbury in Christchurch, while Canterbury are defending champions, with at total of three titles.

Waikato:

1-Toka Natua, 2-Grace Houpapa-Barret, 3-Tanya Kalounivale, 4-Chyna Hohepa, 5-Mia Anderson, 6-Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland, 7-Emma-Lee Heta, 8-Kennedy Simon, 9-Ariana Bayler, 10-Tenika Willison, 11-Stacy Fluhler, 12-Chelsea Alley (c), 13-Carla Hohepa, 14-Cheyelle Robin-Reti, 15-Renee Holmes

Reserves: 16-Merania Paraone, 17-Stephanie Lualua, 18-Esther Tilo-Faiaoga, 19-Leonie Kloppers, 20-Sina Hetet, 21-Makaia Riki-Te Kanawa, 22-Kelsey Teneti

Canterbury: 

1. Phillipa Love 2. Rebecca Todd 3. Amy Rule 4. Chelsea Bremner 5. Cindy Nelles 6. Alana Bremner (c) 7. Lucy Jenkins 8. Lucy Anderson 9. Kendra Cocksedge 10. Terauoriwa Gapper 11. Sam Curtis 12. Liv McGoverne 13. Grace Brooker 14. Martha Lolohea 15. Grace Steinmetz

Reserves: 16. Trina Greenslade 17. Georgia Ponsonby 18. Angie Sisifa 19. Easter Savelio 20. Sophie O’Cain 21. Isabella Waterman 22. Olivia Coady

Farah Palmer Cup Semi-Final Matches

Waikato has finished in top position for the North pool after beating Auckland 26-17 at Eden Park, and they will play Manawatu in the semi-final after they beat Hawkes Bay 29-12. Canterbury beat Tasman 84-0, and they will play Auckland in the other semi-final, after Auckland qualified through the tie-beaker ruling. 

Semifinal 1: 

Canterbury v Auckland, Saturday 24 October, 4.35pm, Rugby Park Christchurch

Semifinal 2: 

Waikato v Manawatu, Sunday 25 October, 2.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato 

Week Seven Results:

Hawke's Bay: 12 

Tries: Michaela Baker, Amelia Pasikala, Conversion: Krysten Cottrell

Manawatu 29 

Tries: Selica Winiata, Rangimarie Sturmey, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Carys Dallinger, Kaia-Hayes Walker-Waitoa, Conversions: Winiata 

 

Canterbury: 84 

Tries: Kendra Cocksedge, Cindy Nelles, Lucy Jenkins 2, Alana Bremner 2, Angie Sisifa , Liv McGoverne 2, Matha Lolohea 4, Rebecca Todd, Conversions: Cocksedge 2, McGoverne 4

Tasman: 0

 

Bay of Plenty: 0 

Northland: 32 

Tries: Alisha Proctor, Portia Woodman, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Krystal Murray, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Conversions: Murray, Timara Leaf, Penalty: Leaf

 

Taranaki: 3 

Penalty: Chloe Sampson

Counties Manukau: 107 

Tries: Harono Te Iringa, Lanulangi Veainu, Grace Gago 3, Aotearoa Matau 2, Amiria Te Iringa, Shyanne Thompson 2, Ilisapeti Molia 2, Ruby Tui 2, Glory Aiono, Larissa Lima, Temira Mataroa, Conversions: Hazel Tubic 11

 

Wellington: 27 

Tries: Kolora Lomani 2, Monica Tagoai, Conversions: Thamsyn Newton 3, Penalties: Newton 2

Otago: 24 

Tries: Amy du Plessis, Teilah Ferguson, Kiana Wereta, Penalty try, Conversion: Rosie Kelly

 

Auckland: 17 

Tries: Sylvia Brunt, Patricia Maliepo, Conversions: Maliepo 2, Penalty: Maliepo 

Waikato: 26 

Tries: Mia Anderson, 2, Renee Holmes, Toka Natua, Conversions: Chelsea Alley 3

Match Highlights Here