Match Report: France v Black Ferns | WXV Global Series 2026
Black Ferns: 28 (Justine McGregor, Mia Anderson, Mererangi Paul, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u tries; Braxton Sorenson-McGee 3 cons); France: 14 (Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Lina Queyroi tries; Carla Arbez, Queyroi con) HT: 14-7
France had won 14 of their last 18 home games but were subdued by a defensive effort new captain Georgia Ponsonby described as “awesome” and “our best of 2026.”
Watch Highlights: France v Black Ferns | WXV Global Series | 2026 Game 1
Tighthead prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and loose forwards Mia Anderson, Elinor-Plum King and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u were dogged throughout while Sylvia Brunt made her presence felt in midfield with several jarring hits.
The French lineout was a shambles, gifting the Black Ferns vital territory as they kicked more often than in any recent match.
Exceptional French loose forwards Axelle Berthoumieu, Léa Champon and Charlotte Escudero and sevens maestro Kelly Arbey limited the damage for the hosts with a bundle of breakdown turnovers.
It took 13 minutes for any scoring. Anderson blasted through at halfway, reached the 22, and delivered to Amy DuPlessis, who was caught by the cover defence five metres out. The Black Ferns recycled swiftly. Hannah King passed to Georgia Ponsonby and the skipper supplied winger Justine McGregor.
A King turnover in the 23rd minute snuffed out a promising French attack. The Black Ferns entered the 22 from the penalty and Anderson scored her first Test try, running into a hole created by a short, swift Maia Joseph pass. The Otago halfback played 75 minutes and is a far more assertive player than in 2025.
Six minutes before halftime, Mahutariki-Fakalelu was held up over the line. The Black Ferns lost possession from the restart and France suddenly found their verve. A searing break by left wing Léa Murie at halfway saw her fend off Hannah King and set up Pauline Bourdon Sansus trailing on the inside. The champion halfback has scored 21 tries in 77 Tests (48 won).
The Black Ferns set piece wasn’t up to scratch against South Africa last Saturday. Fortunately, those issues didn’t persist. In the 44th minute, the Black Ferns earned a scrum penalty. From the following five-metre lineout, a maul started that was joined by the midfield, taking the visitors within a whisker of the paint. Hannah King ripped it wide to Mererangi Paul, who darted to the outside of her opposite and scored her 19th try in 20 Tests.
The Black Ferns enjoyed a stroke of fortune in the 47th minute when a frantic attack broke down. Berthoumieu rushed a pass to Murie, who dashed 40 metres to the line, but the possible try was called back for a forward pass.
It was a messy second half, mostly stuck between the two ten-metre lines. Black Ferns loose forward Layla Sae made her return to Test Rugby after 20 months injured.
In the 67th minute, the classy Gabrielle Vernier created something out of nothing. The second-five regathered her own chip and chase and set up replacement back Lina Queyroi, who converted from the sideline, 21-14.
Any chance of a more stirring comeback was ruined by the lineout. A crooked throw gave the Black Ferns a scrum on the 22. Powerful charges by Sylvia Brunt and Anderson created quick ball for Joseph to emulate her first-half pass, setting up Liana Mikaele-Tu'u for her eighth try in 41 Tests.
Clara Munarini of Italy refereed the match.
The Black Ferns have won 121 of 146 Tests, including their last seven in a row and now lead France 9-5 head-to-head. The Black Ferns' next WXV Global Series fixture is against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. It will be Scotland’s first home Test against the Black Ferns.
