The New Zealand squad clinched third position in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup by defeating France with a score of 41 – 26 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham
Les Bleus commenced with zeal, securing an initial advantage in the ninth minute via Pauline Bourdon Sansus, stemming from a sequence of exciting interplay among the French back three.
This scoring play ignited the Black Ferns’ competitive spirit. Constraining France utilizing various kicking tactics spearheaded by Renee Holmes, the Kiwi contingent established dominance within the French twenty-two-meter zone.
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
Initially resisting the applied strain, Les Bleus executed a remarkable turnover on their goal line and cleared the immediate threat. Nevertheless, this resilience was short-lived. Applying significant pressure on the French line-out, the Black Ferns instigated a handling error. From the resulting scrum, a meticulously executed play allowed Sylvia Brunt to facilitate Ruahei Demant’s scoring of the initial try for her team.
Following the score leveling, the Black Ferns gained momentum, scoring an additional three tries during the first half, executed by Brunt, Renee Holmes, and Laura Bayfield.
Commencing the second half with the same momentum as they concluded the first, the Black Ferns quickly scored through Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Thirteen minutes subsequently, the winger scored again, extending her team’s lead to a seemingly insurmountable 39 – 7.
Appearing defeated, Les Bleus could have opted to merely run down the clock. Instead, they initiated an offensive, advancing the ball from every area of the field. This commitment yielded three successive tries, breathing life back into their prospects with ten minutes remaining.
Alleviating the pressure as time neared its end, Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes successfully converted a late penalty, much to the disappointment of spectators in attendance, securing her team’s victory.
The ensuing is an overview of the performances of both squads at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Front Row – Advantage New Zealand
Depending on individual viewpoints, assessments of this head-to-head encounter could diverge significantly.
From one perspective, the French demonstrated a marginal advantage during scrum situations, which supported their ability to remain competitive and limited New Zealand’s capacity to execute their precisely coordinated set-piece maneuvers.
Conversely, the Black Ferns’ front row exhibited more versatility across the field and displayed superior speed in rejoining the line following set-piece plays.
Overall, the Black Ferns’ starting trio, consisting of Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, and Tanya Kalounivale, established a solid base with their ball carrying into the core of the French defense, collectively undertaking over 20 carries.
At the breakdown, in coordination with their locks, the front row excelled in navigating the field and minimizing Les Bleus’ opportunities to secure turnovers.
Second Row – Advantage New Zealand
Characterized by diligence coupled with moments of brilliance, New Zealand’s lock combination of Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Laura Bayfield effectively neutralized the threat posed by their French counterparts.
Leading the tackle count with 23, Bayfield acted as a persistent presence, shadowing every French ball carrier. When in possession, she proved highly effective, gaining 40 meters from five carries, scoring a try, and executing a flawlessly timed support run for Jorja Miller.
While her statistics may not be as visually striking as her starting counterpart, Roos contributed substantially around the breakdown. Frequently clearing out potential French players attempting to steal possession, Roos’s efforts significantly contributed to the Black Ferns’ ability to establish a smooth attacking rhythm.
Back Row – Advantage New Zealand
Establishing the conditions for an explosive attacking showcase, the Black Ferns backrow exhibited immense prowess from the outset.
Continuing her momentum from the semifinal, Kaipo Olsen-Baker repeatedly breached the French defensive line with apparent ease. Frequently carrying into heavy traffic, the number eight’s capability to liberate her hands upon contact was crucial to her team’s multifaceted attack.
In the wider channels, Jorja Miller presented a challenging matchup for the French back three defenders. Engaging multiple defenders with each carry, Miller was instrumental in the buildup to several Black Ferns’ tries. Augmenting her highlight reel during the lead-up to Bayfield’s try, the flanker evaded two French defenders before passing to her supporting lock.
Defensively, Miller performed at an elevated standard. Executing a pair of textbook turnovers in the 8th and 41st minutes, she thwarted two promising French attacks and prevented her team from facing numerical disadvantages out wide.
Contributing their share, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and replacement Layla Sae performed substantial groundwork, notably during set-piece situations.
Halfbacks – Advantage France
The game was marked by narrow margins for Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Carla Arbez, who collectively witnessed several try-scoring opportunities slip away.
Whether initiating the play or running the correct support line, the pair came within close proximity of securing these scores. Failing to rectify errors made by their teammates, the pair will likely reflect on what could have been.
These moments aside, the pair consistently challenged the Black Ferns while in possession, even as their pack struggled at the gainline.
Centres – Advantage New Zealand
Complementing one another effectively, the pairing of Sylvia Brunt and Stacey Waaka served as a critical element for New Zealand on both offensive and defensive fronts.
Defensively, Brunt delivered a strong showing, registering nine tackles and securing a turnover. Offensively, her power game was leveraged in various situations, both as a carrying option and as a decoy. Notably, in the 14th minute, she located Ruahei Demant on her inside shoulder, leading to the Black Ferns’ first try.
Operating in the 13 channel, Waaka’s ability to pressure the French inside backs restricted their capacity to expand play wide for much of the initial 60 minutes. Timing her tackles perfectly, Waaka frequently caught French players behind the gainline, contributing to her total of 15 tackles. With the ball in hand, her most effective contributions were as a distributor, with her precise pass enabling Braxton Sorensen-McGee to score her second try in the 59th minute. Furthermore, her 51 meters gained from eight carries underscored the challenge she posed when afforded opportunities.
Back Three – Advantage New Zealand
Reflecting the long-held belief that forwards secure victories, while the backs dictate the margin of victory, the Black Ferns back three were frequently uncontainable for Les Blues.
Orchestrating play as a key distributor, Renee Holmes’ capacity to join the line as both the primary and secondary distributor consistently altered the landscape for the French defense. This ability to strategically time her entry into the line proved instrumental in securing two of the Black Ferns’ first-half tries.
When clearing their lines, Holmes was generally the preferred option, effectively finding open space within the French backfield coverage. Ensuring her team maintained scoreboard pressure, Holmes demonstrated pinpoint accuracy with her kicks, with only two misses near the touchline preventing a flawless performance.
Deservedly, Holmes was rewarded with a try in the 37th minute, extending her team’s lead by two scores, which appeared to empower the Black Ferns to fully implement their gameplay.
Mirroring their fullback, the duo of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Braxton Sorensen-McGee harassed the French backfield with their relentless kick-chase throughout the first half.
Executing a significant hit on Charlotte Escudero in the first half exemplified the restrictive pressure Woodman-Wickliffe imposed on any French attacker who came her direction. Equally effective with the ball, the winger led her team with 12 carries.
Operating on the right wing, teenage sensation Sorensen-McGee scored yet another test try in the 46th minute. Thirteen minutes later, Sorensen-McGee would score again, evading the attention of two defenders.
These two moments punctuated what was a remarkably impressive campaign for one of the sport’s most promising talents.
