By the Numbers: Black Ferns v Scotland key stats revealed
The Black Ferns will be looking to build on an opening-round win over France as they face a Scotland side who will be desperate to bounce back on home soil.
Kick-off at Hive Stadium is 5.10pm BST Saturday 19 September (4.10am NZT Sunday 20 September).
Watch: Good to great, Black Ferns eye up physical Scotland
Momentum heading into Edinburgh
The Black Ferns opened their Northern Hemisphere campaign with a 28-14 win over France in Lyon, scoring four tries to two and controlling 63% of territory. Braxton Sorensen-McGee slotted all four of her conversions, while tries came from four different players in Justine McGregor, Mia Anderson, Mererangi Paul and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.
Scotland, by contrast, opened their Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign with a 26-64 loss to Canada at Hive Stadium last Saturday, prompting interim head coach Dave Butcher to make five changes to his side.
Set piece and collision numbers
From the France Test, the Black Ferns will take confidence into the test against Scotland:
- 968 metres carried, compared to France's 730 metres
- Eight line breaks to France's four
- 112 rucks and mauls won, compared with 68 for France
- 11 scrums won from 12, a strong platform up front
A perfect record against Scotland
History is firmly on New Zealand's side. The Black Ferns have won all four previous meetings with Scotland, and are yet to concede a try to them in that fixture. The most recent meeting came at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) in Whangārei, a 57-0 win, with earlier victories at the 2006 World Cup (21-0), the 2005 Churchill Cup (30-9) and the 1998 World Cup (76-0).
Eight facts to talk to your friends about ahead of the game
- The Black Ferns have never lost to Scotland, winning all four Tests played between the two nations since 1998.
- Scotland have never scored a try against the Black Ferns across those four meetings.
- Braxton Sorensen-McGee kicked a perfect four conversions against France, adding 117 running metres, the most of any player on the field.
- Four different players crossed for New Zealand's tries against France: Justine McGregor, Mia Anderson, Mererangi Paul and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.
- Laura Bayfield led all tacklers in Lyon with 15 successful tackles.
- New Zealand doubled France's line-break count, eight to four.
- Scotland make five changes after last week's 64-point haul from Canada, with Ceitidh Ainsworth starting at halfback on debut and Sarah Bonar back from injury on the bench.
- Prop Ngano Tavake and fullback Maia Davis are poised for potential Black Ferns debuts off the bench.
