The Black Ferns have won all 29 of their Tests against Australia, including 11 played in Australia. They have lost just one of their last 13 Tests, while Australia has only won one of their last six.
Can Australia pull off an upset, or will the Black Ferns continue their dominance over the Wallaroos?
ANZAC Excellence
If the Black Ferns beat Australia, they will win the PAC4. Regular starters Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Ruahei Demant, and Renee Holmes aim to keep up their strong form. Coach Whitney Hansen said:
“The significance of this weekend has been at the forefront for us as we prepare to take the field. This game is an opportunity for us to celebrate two nations coming together to commemorate the sacrifices made by members who served. This weekend we play for them.
“The Black Ferns and Wallaroos trans-Tasman rivalry already carries significance. We know Australia are a strong team and will match the physicality that we bring, they have nothing to lose and everything to play for.”
This match is especially meaningful for Laura Bayfield, a Captain in the 2nd Engineer Regiment who is usually based at Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch.
Mo’omo’oga Palu Debuts
Mo’omo’oga Palu, a tighthead prop from Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury, will make her debut. Palu joined the original Matatū squad in 2022 and has played in 18 of their 21 Super Rugby Aupiki matches. She helped the southerners win the title in 2023 and reach the final in 2025.
She has won 13 of 17 games for Canterbury, helping the Red and Blacks win the Dame Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) in 2022 and reach the finals again in 2024 and 2025.
Emma Jensen, a Rugby World Cup-winning Black Fern, first noticed Palu’s talent in Hawke’s Bay. Jensen, who played a New Zealand record 189 first-class games from 1999 to 2002, is now Deputy Principal at Hastings Girls’ High School. In 2018, she saw Palu stand out in a game against Karamū High School.
“Holy Hecka, we’ve got a talent here,” Jensen recalled of her initial impression of Palu.
“I had just started at the school and went to watch the game. I got excited right away. Soon, she was playing with me in the senior team at Hastings Rugby and Sports Club.
While there, I realised she was reluctant to hurt anyone. She’s a gentle person at heart, but she can be a force on the field. I had to encourage her to use her size more.
“I was emotional when I made it, actually speechless,” Palu said quietly after being selected.
“I told some of the girls I wasn’t going to be picked. They thought I was being all negative. When I told them I was in, they slapped me and then gave me a big hug. The vibe was awesome.”
Justine McGregor’s First Start
Justine McGregor, 20, will start on the wing alongside her Wellington teammate Ayesha Leti-I’iga. She debuted the last quarter in the 48-15 win over the USA in Sacramento two weeks ago and made a line-break during her energetic performance.
“I’ve been training on the wing, which is probably where I’ll play, but I can play in the midfield too. The game plan will be exciting. I’ve been told to go out there and back myself,” McGregor said.
McGregor joined the Black Ferns Sevens straight from St Mary’s College in Wellington in 2022. She has played in three tournaments for the Black Ferns Sevens, winning a Cup title in Los Angeles in 2025.
Her breakout XVs season was in 2023. She won the Erin Rush Medal as the best and fairest player for her club, Petone, and made six appearances for Wellington in the Dame Farah Palmer Cup.
The Pride didn’t win a game that season, but McGregor stood out. Against defending champions Canterbury in Christchurch, the visitors were thumped 58-29, but McGregor scored three tries, including a 60-metre intercept and a 40-metre solo run.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie
Michaela Leonard is set to become the Wallaroos’ all-time appearance leader, breaking the 45-Test record previously held by Ashley Marsters, after being named to start at lock against the Black Ferns.
Leonard has played in 45 of 47 possible matches for the Wallaroos since her debut against Japan at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium in 2019.
Leonard will partner with Tiarah Minns in the second row, with 38-Test utility Kaitlan Leaney at blindside flanker. Lily Bone will play openside flanker, and captain Siokapesi Palu will be at No. 8, forming a loose forward trio expected to bring plenty of aggression.
Australia needs more possession to avoid a repeat of their losses to Canada (24-0) and the USA (33-12). They have made 207 tackles per game, 42 more than any other team. Alongside USA captain and flanker Georgie Perris-Redding, Emily Chancellor has made the most tackles by any player in PAC4, with 41 in two games.
Australia’s starting backs have less experience than the Black Ferns, with a combined 143 Tests compared to the visitors’ 172. However, centre Georgina Friedrichs (41 caps) and winger Desiree Miller (26 caps) are still dangerous threats.
Bridie O’Gorman (40 Tests) and Piper Duck (25 Tests) are experienced forwards coming off the bench. The other five substitutes have only 15 combined Tests between them.
