Black Ferns finish France series with 36-7 Christchurch win

After emphatic wins in Hamilton and Whangārei, New Zealand were made to work for their final result by a determined French outfit, before pulling away after the break to finish their WXV Global Series campaign on a high.

France come out swinging

France came out swinging in the final Test, eager to make an early statement and put the hosts under pressure.

Scrappy play from both sides saw a stalemate at the scrum just outside the French 22, before the Black Ferns began to find their attacking rhythm.

The crowd erupted as New Zealand surged forward, looking to make a dent in the French defence. However, a turnover from the visitors pushed the attack back deep inside the hosts’ 22.

Using the full width of the pitch to stretch the French defence, the Black Ferns went through the hands before Shyrah Tuliau Tua’a crashed over in the corner to get the scoring underway.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee couldn’t quite find her range from the sideline, leaving the hosts with a five-point lead.

Demant and Sorensen-McGee light it up

Captain Ruahei Demant soon showcased her attacking threat, finding a gap off the back of the scrum and darting through the French defence.

With Sorensen-McGee hot on her heels, the pair made their way from their own 22 deep into French territory before the fullback was brought down.

The Black Ferns were looking dangerous, and it wasn’t long before they found their way over the line again.

Some clever against-the-grain play opened up the French defence, allowing Sorensen-McGee to pop through a gap and score under the posts.

The fullback converted her own try to extend New Zealand’s lead.

The hosts were showcasing all sorts of passing flair in the opening quarter, but five metres out, things got a little too fancy and a dropped ball cost them a scoring opportunity.

Try ruled out, France hit back

Sorensen-McGee looked hungry for another try, breaking through and putting the afterburners on to crash over for what appeared to be her second of the evening.

However, referee Erin Doherty called on the TMO to check for a forward pass, and the try was ruled out.

France were determined to prevent another New Zealand score, turning up the heat with some crucial turnovers deep in their own half before sending the hosts rushing back into their own territory.

The first half provided some end-to-end rugby, with neither side allowing the other to settle for long.

France soon found a foothold in the game and quickly converted that into points, with Mailys Mailagi crashing over with the help of her fellow front-rowers.

Carla Arbez split the uprights comfortably to bring the visitors back into contention.

Halftime: Black Ferns 12-7 France

Fresh from the break, both teams were determined to be the last ones to blink.

In comparison to the previous two Tests, the Christchurch clash proved to be a much closer contest, with the teams appearing more evenly matched.

But the Black Ferns soon found their attacking rhythm again, sending Tuliau Tua’a sailing over in the far corner for her second try of the evening.

Sorensen-McGee couldn’t quite get the extras, but New Zealand had extended their lead.

Replacement Hannah King then squeezed herself through a gap deep in French territory, only to be brought down with no one close enough in support.

Determined to make the most of the opportunity, the Ferns went again, searching for a precious gap in the visitors’ defence.

Their persistence paid off, with Maddi Robinson crashing over from close range to give New Zealand a more comfortable lead.

This time Sorensen-McGee split the uprights, extending the advantage.

Black Ferns down to 14, still dominant

The hosts suffered a blow when Tuliau Tua’a was sent to the sin bin following a high tackle.

But being a player down did little to stop the Black Ferns from continuing to attack.

A slick break from King started the attacking phase, allowing Mererangi Paul to sail over in the corner.

Sorensen-McGee couldn’t find the extras, but the hosts had further stretched their lead.

To close out the game, New Zealand made the most of a driving maul, with Vici-Rose Green squeezing over the line through the feet of the French defenders.

King took over kicking duties and added the extras to put the finishing touches on the performance.

France left with final opportunity

France were left with one final opportunity to respond, winning a penalty and kicking for touch as full-time approached.

But New Zealand’s defence held firm, with France penalised for obstruction as they attempted to drive towards the line.

The Black Ferns cleared to touch, bringing the curtain down on the contest and securing a 36–7 victory.

After a challenging contest in Whangārei, the final Test offered another valuable opportunity for Whitney Hansen’s side to test themselves against a French team that had grown into the series.

New Zealand’s ability to turn pressure into points, even while down to 14 players, proved the difference as they brought their home campaign to a close.

The Christchurch crowd were treated to a fitting finish, with the Black Ferns delivering a performance that ensured France would leave New Zealand without a win from the three-Test series.

For the hosts, it was a memorable way to finish the year, with a strong second-half display providing the perfect ending to their WXV Global Series campaign.

Full-Time: Black Ferns 36-7 France

The Black Ferns v France test in Christchurch wraps up the WXV Global Series, proudly supported by the New Zealand Government’s Events Boost Fund.