Match Report: Black Ferns v France | WXV Global Series, Hamilton

Under the Hamilton sunshine, New Zealand produced a blistering attacking display at FMG Stadium Waikato, with scrumhalf Maia Joseph crossing twice in the opening 10 minutes and hometown favourite Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a claiming four tries in a memorable afternoon.

France struggled to contain the hosts from the outset, with New Zealand exploiting their opponents’ difficulties at the set piece and repeatedly finding space in the visitors’ defence.

It took less than a minute for the Black Ferns to strike. A sharp break from Amy Du Plessis created the opening with Joseph, who finished clinically to get the hosts on the scoreboard. Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s conversion struck the upright, leaving New Zealand with an early 5-0 advantage.

Joseph doubled her tally shortly afterwards, capitalising on a French scrum deep inside their own five metre line. Sorensen-McGee again missed the conversion, but the Black Ferns had established a commanding position.

France struggled to escape their own territory during the opening exchanges, with captain Alexandra Chambon’s box kicks offering little relief against a New Zealand side well prepared to contest the aerial battle.

A loose ball briefly gave Les Bleues an opportunity to gain a foothold, but the Black Ferns quickly regained possession and resumed their assault.

Sustained pressure eventually produced New Zealand’s third try with Ayesha Leti-I’iga finishing after a spell of attacking play in which the hosts overcame their own handling errors. Sorensen-McGee found her range with the conversion to extend the lead to 17-0.

The French line-out continued to falter, and New Zealand wasted little time turning those struggles into points.

Du Plessis, whose support running has already caused problems, got over the line herself before setting up Leti-l’iga for what looked like another try. A late tackle forced the winger to offload, allowing Du Plessis to finish her second instead. Sorensen-McGee converted both as the Black Ferns surged into a 31-0 lead inside 30 minutes.

Kaipo Olsen-Baker was next to cross, powering over from close range after Liana Mikaele-Tu’u broke through from the scrum. Georgia Ponsonby then added another, exploiting the short side after France anticipated a driving maul.

Despite two important turnovers from Chambon, France could not turn their defensive efforts into meaningful attacking opportunities. New Zealand led 43-0 at half time, having scored seven tries in a first half masterclass.

The second half began much as the first had ended. Leti-I’iga crossed for her second try within a minute of the restart, before Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a was awarded New Zealand’s ninth following a TMO review of a sweeping team move across the pitch.

Tuliau-Tua’a struck again five minutes later, finishing in front of her home crowd to take the score to 60-0. Sorensen-McGee added the conversion, having increasingly mastered the conditions after an inconsistent start from the tee.

France finally got on the scoreboard just before the hour mark. A clever kick behind the New Zealand defence created space for Léa Murie to gather and finish, although Morgane Bourgeois could not convert.

The response from the Black Ferns was immediate. Returning co-captain Ruahei Demant powered through the French defence to add another try, with Sorensen-McGee converting.

Tuliau-Tua’a then stole the spotlight. The winger completed her hat-trick after another excellent support run from Du Plessis before crossing for a fourth try moments later, collecting Demant’s cross-field kick to cap a devastating attacking performance.

Sorensen-McGee converted both efforts, stretching New Zealand’s advantage further and underlining the hosts’ ability to punish France from almost anywhere on the pitch.

France refused to let the afternoon end without another response, with replacement Amalia Bazola Allieres crashing over late on and Bourgeois adding the extras.

It was a small consolation on an otherwise difficult afternoon for Les Bleues, who had been overwhelmed by New Zealand’s pace, precision and ability to turn turnovers into attacking opportunities.

For the Black Ferns, the 81-12 victory was an emphatic start to their three-Test home series. Joseph’s early double, Du Plessis’ influence in the midfield and Tuliau-Tua’a’s four-try haul highlighted the depth of New Zealand’s attacking threat.

With two more Tests against France to come in Whangārei and Christchurch, the Black Ferns have laid down a formidable marker on home soil.

Scoring Summary: Black Ferns v France, Hamilton

Black Ferns 81 (Maia Joseph 2 tries; Ayesha Leti-I’iga 2; Amy du Plessis 2; Kaipo Olsen-Baker; Georgia Ponsonby; Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a 4; Ruahei Demant; Braxton Sorensen-McGee 8 conversions) France 12 (Léa Murie, Amalia Bazola Allieres tries; Morgane Bourgeois conversion). HT: 43-0.