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

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.

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

All Blacks Named To Face South Africa

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.

Blacks Ferns Win Second Rugby World Cup Match

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

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Round Four Results

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