Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei: Despite not going all the way, the Black Ferns claimed a second consecutive victory over France, claiming a 31-12 victory at Whangarei’s Semenoff Stadium thanks to an impressive second-half performance.
Whitney Hansen’s side struggled in both halves to dominate the Test match, until her experienced group of reserves took to the field to do the job.
France Head coach Francois Ratier will be extremely proud of his group as he bounced back from a heavy defeat in Hamilton to bring the Black Ferns closer to the final whistle.
Here’s how the Black Ferns rated in Whangarei.
1. Chryss Viliko – 5.5
Viliko, a mainstay in the Black Ferns’ forward pack, produced a valuable performance without being spectacular. The Kiwis had minor problems during the fight, and Vilik’s last action was to drop the ball in the middle of the field. From the middle of the second half.
2. Georgia Ponsonby – 6
Off in the tenth minute for HIA, after a rather disappointing start to the exit time. He returned to the field midway through the first half. After a great performance in Hamilton, the second test in Whangarei will not be among her best. Off in the 68th minute with three carries.
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu – 7.5
Mahutariki-Fakalelu quickly established herself as one of New Zealand’s most important players. Strong in the fundamental parts of the game, the prop carried himself strongly and provided Hansen’s side with defensive brutality. The second half was similar, before being stopped with just under 15 minutes to play. He contributed nine tackles and eight carries.
4. Laura Bayfield – 5.5
Bayfield was part of the Black Ferns’ slow start to the game, missing several front-on tackles. The lock improved as the contest continued, contributing to a solid performance from the Black Ferns in the second half drive.
5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu – 6
A strong outing in the tough stuff, but I’d like it to impact the game on more levels. The Blues fought fiercely, before being replaced by Maia Roos in the 65th minute.
6. Liana Mikaele-Tutu – 7
Mikaele-Tu’u had a very busy and strong afternoon defensively, making a team-high 16 tackles, but we didn’t see the best of her ball-carrying abilities. As the game wore on and the Black Ferns turned possession into points, Mikaela Tu’u’s hard work began to pay off.
7. Layla Sae – 7.5
Best on ground in the first half, where the Black Ferns struggled to take strong control of the game. The wrecking ball put French defenders on the ground at will and sometimes put the Black Fern on his shoulders. Sae provided the Black Ferns with a consistent presence after a breakdown tackle and gave Hansen a major headache when he moved forward on the open flank.
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker – N/A
Olsen-Baker can’t catch a break. The impressive loose forward has struggled with injury throughout 2026 and left the field early in Whangarei. Olsen-Baker, who appeared to have suffered a nasty calf injury, was unable to leave on his own at half-time, being taken to the dressing room.
9. Tara Turner – 6
She won her first kick from the box, which led to France’s first try. Turner hit back with an inch-perfect cut ball to Mererangi Paula for their first of the afternoon. Host Northland tried to speed up the game when they could, but the Black Ferns were more inclined to shoot and play more conservatively than in Hamilton. Off in 50 minutes.
10. Ruahei Demant – 5
Demant returned to the Black Ferns shirt for the first time since a recent injury and had a difficult first 40 minutes. By Demant’s standards, it was a poor first-half performance, opting to shoot rather than keep the ball. The Black Ferns captain scored a penalty which could have extended the home side’s advantage in the first half.
11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a –
Not everything went Tuliau-Tua’a’s way in the first quarter, but she wasn’t going to let that get in the way of her impact on the game. The four-try hero from Hamilton had promising moments in the first half with ball in hand, highlighted by her try in the left corner, but Chiefs winger Manawa’s prowess in defense was impressive. Shot for Ayesha Leti-I’ig in the 61st minute.
12. Logo-I-Puluto Lampu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt – 6
An unusual outing for the experienced midfielder. A powerful tackle in the 10th minute halted France’s momentum but didn’t have much of an impact on the contest in the first 40 minutes. A few strong tackles in the second half, but also a coldly missed attacking opportunity.
13. Justine McGregor – 5
There was a lack of impact on the game, largely due to the Black Ferns’ strike-first approach. He had four carries for the home side before being replaced by Hannah King at half-time.
14. Fighting Paul – 7.5
I crossed the huge line for the first afternoon of Black Ferns, walking around untouched. She led the game in noses and breaks in the half, despite the game not always going her way.
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee – 9
Generational talent. Sorensen-McGee is elusive, dangerous and can change the game with a snap of her fingers. Sorensen-McGee looked most dangerous with the ball in hand and often brought multiple defenders to fight her. The full-back also swept away any danger at the back, often racing back to recover France’s strike. Nice catch and pass in the first half for Tuliau-Tua’s try, before he almost scored another minutes later. A superb solo effort late in the contest, weaving through three French defenders to all but secure a Test match.
Reserves
16. Vici-Rose Green – 8
Early on after Ponsonby’s HIA, and he made an immediate impact. She won the ball in the Black Ferns’ half and earned an important penalty. He made a late return to the contest and played a part in the last two tries.
17. Maddison Robinson – 7
Robinson had a solid stint off the bench, helping the Black Ferns get over the line.
18. Santo level – 6
With less than 15 minutes to go, the argument was strong.
19. Maiakawanakaulani Roos – 8
The experienced lock equalized the attack immediately after entering. Breaks through several French defenders with his first two passes. Roos showed her class, even if the sample was small, changing the game in a variety of ways.
20. Amarante Street – 7.5
Added try later after Olsen-Baker came on. The promising youngster was all over the place in her longer-than-expected stay on the bench, but Cityti proved why she is in the Black Ferns’ 23-man squad. Sititi bounced from side to side with the ball in hand and showed off her solid and wide skills.
21. Maia Joseph – 7
Like Turner, Joseph struggled to accelerate the game. Joseph’s wide cut ball saw Sititi go in near the post.
22. Hannah King – 8
Steered the ship effectively in the second period. King popped up on the first receiver to take the pressure off Demant, doing so without making any mistakes. Part of a strong second half in which the home team proved to be too good for the weaker France.
23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga – 7
Leti-I’iga was brave from the moment she stepped on the field. She showed her power with her carry, putting the home side in front after a tough 60 minutes.
