Match report: Black Ferns v Scotland
Black Ferns: 66 (Mo'omo'oga Palu, Maama Vaipulu, Justine McGregor, Elinor-Plum King, Layla Sae two, Amy Du Plessis, Amarante Sititi, Tara Turner, Alena Saili tries; Braxton Sorensen-McGee seven con, Hannah King con)
Scotland: 14 (Evie Gallagher two tries; Helen Nelson two cons)
HT: 38-14
The Black Ferns achieved their highest score against Scotland since 1998 despite scoring only one try in the last 33 minutes. The bench emptied and debuts were awarded to Manawatū duo Ngano Tavake and Maia Davis. Davis immediately retreated to make a try-saving tackle on centre Rachel Philipps. Tavake won a scrum penalty with her first hit.
The Black Ferns settled the contest with two scoring bursts at the start of each half. Two tries were scored in the first eight minutes; three in the first seven after halftime.
Watch highlights: Black Ferns v Scotland
Black Ferns starteted precision and intensity
The Black Ferns started with precision, speed and intensity Scotland couldn't match. Tighthead prop Mo'omo'oga Palu clattered through two tackles and burst 20 metres for her first Test try during the Black Ferns' first trip to the hosts' 22.
Six minutes later the Black Ferns struck again. Flanker Mia Anderson drew in two with a hard carry and lock Maama Vaipulu barged clear. Vaipulu had 11 carries and was the Black Ferns' top defender with 20 tackles, three turnovers and two lineout steals.
In the 19th minute, an intercept by Scottish fullback Chloe Rollie changed momentum. Scotland soared into the Black Ferns 22 and muscled over for their first try through No.8 Evie Gallagher.
Scotland could have had another shortly after. Second five-eighth Meryl Smith, in her 29th Test, busted and booted ahead where there was no fullback. Unfortunately, the ball blew dead, and instead the Black Ferns had a scrum 10 inside Scottish territory. Phases were built swiftly, and with a delightful pivot and pass, hooker Georgia Ponsonby opened a hole for centre Amy Du Plessis, who in turn provided winger Justine McGregor for her third try in six Tests.
The Black Ferns' best try came after 29 minutes. Five passes inside the 22 saw winger Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a (three linebreaks) burst 50 metres with Elinor-Plum King (15 carries, 13 tackles) trailing on the inside to complete the easy run in.
Smith was the liveliest of the Scottish backs and her break enabled Gallagher to battle ahead for a second in the 32nd minute. Gallagher has 14 tries in 45 Tests. She topped the tackle count with 24, two ahead of 21-year-old lock Holland Bogan.
Normal transmission resumed in the 35th minute with a Layla Sae (13 carries, 11 tackles) try. The Hurricanes Poua flanker has returned from a long-term injury with vigour. Du Plessis had the last say of the first half supporting another Anderson break.
Black Ferns finish second half with three tries
There was no respite for Scotland after the break, with tries to Amarante Sititi, player of the match, halfback Tara Turner and a second for Sae. A combination of power and swift handling created the holes. Scotland missed 47 tackles compared to the Black Ferns 16.
The final half hour lost some shape as new combinations were tried and the heavens opened. Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen was delighted the newer players "owned their roles." She's thrilled there is a challenge for spots.
The Black Ferns can top the WXV Global Series standings for the first time with a draw against England at Twickenham next Saturday. The Red Roses and Canada shared a 26-26 draw at Sandy Park in Exeter. For Rugby World Champions England, it's their worst result since losing to the Black Ferns 34-31 in the 2022 Rugby World Cup Final. England are unbeaten in their last 40 internationals with 39 wins and a draw. France edged Australia 29-26 despite two red cards, at one stage being reduced to 12 players.
Jess Ling of Australia refereed the match.
Black Ferns win eighth Test in a row
The Black Ferns have won 122 of 147 Tests. That includes eight in a row and all five internationals against Scotland, outscoring the Scots 250-23. New Zealand won the first Black Ferns-Scotland Test 76-0 at the 1998 Rugby World Cup in Amsterdam. Annaleah Bodle (nee Rush) scored 17 points. At the 2022 Rugby World Cup in Whangārei, the Black Ferns beat Scotland 57-0. Renee Holmes scored 22 points.
