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
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
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday at 7.05pm. There are several changes to the starting side who lost to Argentina, and also has Ardie Savea at openside flanker who will play his 100th match for the side. Finlay Christie will start at halfback after injuries have sidelined Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham, while Kyle Preston will be in the reserves as cover. Sevu Reece has been replaced on the wing by Emoni Narawa, while Tupou Vaaí moves to lock with Wallace Sititi coming into number eight.
All Blacks:
Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves:
Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
The Black Ferns have secured a quarter-final berth in the Rugby World Cup with a 62-19 win against Japan in Exeter. The match featured the record braking 50th try for winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, whilst fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a hat trick of tries as well as four conversions. The Black Ferns final Pool C match will be against Ireland at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium on Monday morning 1.45am NZT.
Black Ferns: 62
Tries: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jorja Miller 2, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 3, Kennedy Tukuafu, Risi Pouri-Lane, Renee Holmes, Conversions: Braxton Sorensen-McGee 4, Holmes 2
Japan: 19
Tries: Sakurako Hatada, Moe Tsukui, Penalty Try, Conversion: Ayasa Otsuka con
The round four results for the 2025 Bunnings Warehouse NPC saw Waikato claim the Ranfurly Shield off Taranaki with a late penalty.
Bay of Plenty: 25 v Southland : 30 Rotorua International Stadium
Hawkes Bay: 7 v Canterbury : 26 McLean Park
Taranaki: 22 v Waikato: 23 Stadium Taranaki
North Harbour: 19 v Tasman: 43 North Harbour Stadium
Auckland: 24 v Northland: 43 Eden Park
Otago: 33 v Counties Manukau: 19 Forsyth Barr Stadium
Manawatu: 38 v Wellington: 28 Central Energy Trust Arena
The Black Ferns have started the Rugby World Cup with a 54-8 win against Spain at the York Community Stadium. They took their time getting into the match and led 21-3 at half time, but a lot of the focus after the match was to injuries to loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker and backs Ayesha Leti-I'iga, and Amy du Plessis. All three players have been evaluated, and will remain with the squad when they move to Exeter for their next match against Japan on Monday
Black Ferns: 54
Tries: Jorja Miller 2, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Ayesha Leti-I'iga 2, Georgia Ponsonby, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano, Conversions: Renee Holmes 7
Spain: 8
Try: Ines Antolinez Fernandez, Penalty: Amalia Argudo
The All Blacks have lost their second test in Argentina 29-23 to give the local side a first ever win on home soil against the All Blacks. The All Blacks were plagued by handling errors, and multiple missed kicks at goal, and now have a week off before facing South Africa at Eden Park on 6th September.
New Zealand: 23
Tries: Billy Proctor, Fletcher Newell, Samison Taukei'aho, Conversion: Damian McKenzie, Penalties: Beauden Barrett, McKenzie
Argentina: 29
Tries: Juan Martin González, Gonzalo Garcia, Conversions: Santiago Carreras 2, Penalties: Tomás Albornoz, Juan Cruz Mallía, Carreras 3