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The Black Ferns coped much better France in Whangarei, with late scoring separating the two teams after short time.
Late tries from Amarante Sititi, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Mererangi Polo were the difference for the Kiwis, who turned a 14-12 half-time lead into a 31-12 final score.
France closed the gap after an 81-12 defeat seven days earlier, but New Zealand’s firepower remains the main obstacle for the visitors to overcome.
Here are some takeaways from New Zealand win.
Layla is back
The Test was Layla Sae’s first start on New Zealand soil since an ACL injury sustained while playing Harlequins last November, and it’s fair to say she enjoyed herself.
The winger was involved in everything on both sides of the ball, making sure the French felt every one of her 16 carries and chewing up 40 meters from her eight carries.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Sae said she returned to the Black Ferns environment with a renewed respect for the game and an attitude to play every game as if it could be her last. This was already evident from her performance on Saturday afternoon.
Her strength and footwork offer something different to Elinor-Plum King, who has started most of the 2026 season to date in her first year in the national lineup. Jersey number 7 will be one of the most intriguing that will be in the final selection of the team on Thursday.
The king is coming for the crown
Last week in Hamilton, Hannah King held the ball on the string and devastated the French defence. Her varied driving of the game and execution of the game had a huge impact on the Black Ferns’ early dominance. Her colleague, Elodie Fernandez, did not have much of a say in the competition.
This week in Whangarei, Ruahei Demant met Carla Arbez in a battle of the tens and the match played out very differently. New Zealand kicked early and often and the French backfield usually collected it comfortably. Arbez thought more about her play management and France looked calmer in attack as a result.
King’s introduction at half-time did not bring about an immediate change in attacking philosophy, but after a few unconvincing kicks, the young No.10 adopted a more aggressive mindset and the Black Ferns attack began to make cuts.
Demant has had her moments with smooth distribution on the line, but her apprentice delivers a game more in tune with classic New Zealand rugby DNA and inspires more tries.
Demant was in the driving seat of the Black Ferns for 58 Tests, delivering a hard-fought 2022. Rugby World Cup title and winning World Rugby Player of the Year in the process. Each great in black is tasked with mentoring their successor, ultimately until their own death, and it feels like we’re watching that legacy unfold in real time.
Braxton’s next step
Braxton Sorensen-McGee is developing right before our eyes. The 19-year-old is already maturing into the second position in the Black Ferns’ backline, showing growth in her distribution game over the course of the year.
It wasn’t a classic Braxton performance last week, with more passing than running, but that’s clearly her intention as she rounds out her game in pursuit of the best quarterback in the world.
In Test II, she balanced her distribution with the elite attacking play that saw her burst onto the Test scene last year, and produced one of her more assured performances with the ball in hand.
The highlight was her break and try in the 70th minute, with sharp footwork and pace that created the opportunity and finished it off.
After the game, Whitney Hansen told reporters that she challenged all of her players to become at least a dual threat on offense, and Sorensen-McGee appears to be living up to that challenge.
