Black ferns have forage WXV Global Series campaign before them. In the next two months, the world’s second-ranked team will battle it out France four times, for women Rugby World Cup champions 2025 England and Scotland.
For first-year head coach Whitney Hansen, it will be the perfect measure of how the team has developed under her leadership so far. Since taking over from Matatu, Hansen is unbeaten in five Tests, the most recent of which was a 52-20 win against South Africa as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Recent Form
The Black Ferns era under Whitney Hansen, the first female head coach since Vicky Dombroski in 1994 and 1995, began with a good degree of optimism.
The Pacific Four Series the title was retained in April, with victories over USA Women’s Eagles (48-15), Canada (36-14) and Australia (40-5). Then, on 22 August, the Black Ferns defeated Australia (66-19) to retain the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, posting the second highest score against Australia in their 100th Test.
The Black Ferns built new combinations against Australia with the debuts of openside Elinor-Plum King, winger Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a and blindside Amarante Sititi.
King started with 16 tackles and two turnovers, continuing the productivity she showed for Matata in the Super Rugby Aupiki where she ranked second in attempts and in the top ten for most lines won. She scored a memorable hat-trick, only the second in Matatu history, in their record 52-26 first round win against Chiefs Manawa at Te Kaha/One New Zealand Stadium.
Amarante Sititi has joined her father, Sam Sititi, and older brother, Wallace Sititi, as a rugby international following a breakout campaign for the champion Blues. She scored a try against Australia off the bench, as did Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, one of the few Manawa success stories.
Despite the Chiefs losing every game, Tuliau-Tua’a was third in tackles (five) and beat the most defenders, gained the most meters and delivered the most offloads.
Unlike the conservatism that often prevails in All black people selection, Hansen has an award-winning form. Props Mo’omo’oga Palu and Maddison Robinson, flanker Mia Anderson, halfback Tara Turner and outside back Justine McGregor made their 2026 debuts.
The blood of new players and a 36-14 victory Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 finalists Canada were the Black Ferns’ most positive strides.
When the Canadian line-up went forward and earned a penalty minute before half-time, the Black Ferns appeared in deep trouble, trailing 14-5 and missing forward Georgia Ponsonby, who was booked.
The second half effort was outstanding, with a noticeable shift in physicality and precision from the Black Ferns. After a long defence, assured line work by Maia Roos and quick exchanges between backs and forwards, Mererangi Paul reduced the deficit to 14-10 with her 18th try in 16 Tests.
Co-captain Ruahei Demant won two turnovers and turned Canada around with crafty shots. In the 61st minute, the Black Ferns took the lead when powerful number 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker went wide of the post, side-stepping a three-pointer. Olsen-Baker had an 11-tackle and 208-metre display to counter her stoic performance in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Canada. The 24-year-old will be a big miss in Europe.
The straw for Canada came in the 64th minute when Tara Turner, from the 26th minute, hit the hole and returned the ball to substitute lock Maamu Mo’onia Vaipulu, who roared into the gaping hole. Canada hesitated, protesting the tackle. Vaipulu raced a further 20 meters and her save on Claire Gallagher sent the full-back scrambling for a few metres.
Canada lost 24-14. Two panicked passes were intercepted by center Amy du Plessis and Olsen-Baker.
If Vaipulu can improve her discipline, she is a force of nature. Olsen-Baker could claim to be the best player in the world. She has been powerful in Aupiki and has won recognition from England in previous performances. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u has added a set to her already considerable repertoire.
Lock Laura Bayfield, who started the first three Tests of the season, described Hansen’s coaching group as positive, encouraging player feedback and open to innovation. The Black Ferns’ form is good and the camp seems happy.
The biggest tests
2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup champions England are the clear benchmark, with a world record 38 straight wins and 68 wins in their last 69 Tests.
Since winning the 2022 Rugby World Cup, England have outscored the Black Ferns 106-55 in the three Tests; England made their highest ever total against the Black Ferns, 49 in 2024, and New Zealand, 33 in 2023.
In the historic one-off Test at the Allianz Stadium, it was 24-0 to England early in the second half before the deficit was reduced to 24-12. The Black Ferns never had a serious chance of winning. Real progress will be measured by the Black Ferns closing the gap or beating the Red Roses.
The game in France will be shown in October, which will be the only international rugby in New Zealand at the moment. With a prime-time platform, the Black Ferns need to put on a strong performance and win the match and the WXV Global Series against France.
They had a recent advantage, finishing third at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 42-26 and an impressive 39-14 win in Vancouver 2024. France beat the Black Ferns 18-17 in Wellington 2023, ending the Black Ferns’ 16-game winning streak.
Star Players
Braxton Sorensen-McGee – The Black Ferns are missing several of their best players at least for the European leg of the WXV Global Series. One player who is sure to make it is current World Rugby Under-15 player of the year Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The 19-year-old has spent the past 12 months representing the Black Ferns Sevens but has quickly adapted to Test match rugby. A look at her first try against the Springbok Women in Soweto tells you everything she will bring: excitement, pace, flair and clinical finishing.
Sylvia Brunt – It is very difficult to find a poor performance among Sylvia Brunt’s 35 Test caps for the Black Ferns. In recent years, the 24-year-old has formed a stunning midfield partnership with Amy du Plessis, with the duo complimenting each other superbly. Whether it’s on defense or offense, you can expect Brunt to deliver in spades.
Prediction
While the Black Ferns have made significant strides under Whitney Hansen, bringing in new players, adding more edge to their forward play and expanding their set-up options with the help of Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, a regular possession-winner in the line, England remain the benchmark. The Black Ferns might still be a little green in the fight and manage big matches to topple the power of the Red Roses.