Black Ferns Through To Rugby World Cup Final

The Black Ferns are through to the Rugby World Cup Final after beating France 25-24 at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday night. After a slow start to the match, and being down 17-10 at halftime, the Black Ferns piled on 15 unanswered points in the second half to lead the match. France came back with a second try to Romane Menager, and the Black Ferns were forced to defend late in the match. The Black Ferns conceded a late penalty when Santo Taumata was yellow carded for a head clash, but France first five Caroline Drouin was unable to convert from 30 metres out.

The Black Ferns will face England in the final at Eden Park on Saturday 12th November, after they beat Canada 26-19 in the earlier semi-final.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 25 

Tries: Stacey Fluhler, Ruby Tui, Theresa Fitzpatrick tries; Renee Holmes con, pen, Ruahei Demant con, pen) 

France: 24 

Tries: Romane Menager 2, Gabrielle Vernier tries; Caroline Drouin 3 con, pen) HT: 17-10 France

All Blacks XV Win Against Ireland A

The All Blacks XV have beaten Ireland A by 47-19 at RDS Arena in Dublin. Their second and final match is against the Barbarians on Monday 14th November at 3am NZT

All Blacks XV: 47 

Treis: Shaun Stevenson 2, Brodie McAlister, Ruben Love, Braydon Ennor, AJ Lam, Damian McKenzie, Conversions: McKenzie 6

Ireland A: 19 

Tries: Ciaran Frawley, Marty Moore, Max Deegan, Conversions: Dave Kilcoyne, Jack Crowley

New Zealand All Blacks XV coach Leon MacDonald has named his side to face Ireland A at  RDS Arena in Dublin on Saturday 5th November at 8:45am NZT.

New Zealand All Blacks XV:

1: Aidan Ross, 2: Brodie McAlister, 3: Tevita Mafileo, 4: Josh Dickson, 5: Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6: Dominic Gardiner, 7: Luke Jacobson, 8: Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 9: TJ Perenara (vc), 10: Damian McKenzie, 11: AJ Lam, 12: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13: Braydon Ennor, 14: Shaun Stevenson, 15: Ruben Love.

Reserves:

16: Tyrone Thompson, 17: Finlay Brewis, 18: Tamaiti Williams, 19: Zach Gallagher, 20: Christian Lio-Willie, 21: Cam Roigard, 22: Josh Ioane, 23:  Alex Nankivell

Blacks Ferns Named For Rugby World Cup Semi-Final Against France.

Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith has named his side to face France in their Rugby World Cup semi-final match at Eden Park at 7.30pm on Saturday night.

There is one change from the starting side that beat Wales 55-3 in Whangarei, with Renee Holmes starting at fullback, Ayesha Leti-L'iga dropping to the reserves, and Ruby Tui moving the the right wing.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 

Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman, Ruahei Demant (c), Kendra Cocksedge, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Sarah Hirini, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Phillipa Love

Reserves: 

Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Santo Taumata, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon (c), Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-I’iga

France: 

Emilie Bouldard, Joanna Grisez, Maëlle Filopon, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Ménager, Caroline Drouin, Pauline Bourdon, Romane Ménager, Charlotte Escudero, Gaëlle Hermet (c), Madoussou Fall, Céline Ferer, Clara Joyeux, Agathe Sochat, Annaëlle Deshaye

Reserves: 

Célia Domain, Coco Lindelauf, Assia Khalfaoui, Safi N'Diaye, Marjorie Mayans, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Queyroi, Chloé Jacquet

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Wales on Sunday 6th November at 4.15am. Foster has named a strong side, with multiple changes from the side that faced Japan.

After the fractured cheeckbone suffered by captain Sam Cane against Japan, Dalton Papali'i will start at openside flanker, with Shannon Frizell on the blindside. Scott Barrett will start at lock in place of Brodie Retallick who has been suspended for two matches, while Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, and Tyrel Lomax are the starting front row. In the backs, Aaron Smith starts at halfback for his 113th test, Richie Mo'unga at first five, Jordie Barrett at second five, and Beauden Barrett at fullback.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Samuel Whitelock (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Beauden Barrett, 

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. David Havili, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown

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

All Blacks Win Over Japan

The All Blacks have secured an unconvincing 38-31 win against Japan, but lost both captain Sam Cane and hooker Dane Coles to injury for the remaining matches of the Northern Tour. Cane fractured his cheek bone late in the match, while Coles was a late scratching before the match with a calf strain. Also missing the next tour game against Wales will be lock Brodie Retallick, who received a two match ban after being sent off in the second half for an illegal clean-out in a ruck.

New Zealand: 38 

Tries: Brodie Retallick, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 5, Penalty: Mo'unga

Japan: 31 

Tries: Takuya Yamasawa, Yutaka Nagare, Warner Dearns, Kazuki Himeno, Conversions: Yamasawa 2, Seungsin 2, Penalty: Yamasawa