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Black Ferns

Next match
BLACK FERNS LOGO WHT
Black Ferns
VS
Australia Women V2 Reversed
Australia Women
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

About the team

The Black Ferns are New Zealand's premier women's rugby team and the most dominant team in all of rugby with Rugby World Cup titles in 1998, 2002 2006, 2010 and 2017 and 2021 (played in 2022). They have one of the best winning percentages in international rugby, with victory in over 85 percent of their Tests.

The Black Ferns successful 2017 season was a landmark one for women’s rugby with the Black Ferns becoming the first women’s team to ever be named the World Rugby Team of the Year.

In 2022, the Black Ferns captured the imagination of Aotearoa when they lifted the Rugby World Cup on home soil for the first time. Playing in front of then world record crowd of 42,000 for women’s rugby, the Black Ferns edged England 34-31 in a thrilling final.

A New Zealand women's selection first took the field in 1989 and competed at the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup. 

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Current Squad

Alana Bremner
Amy du Plessis
Amy Rule
Ariana Bayler
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
Charmaine Smith
Chelsea Bremner
Chryss Viliko
Georgia Ponsonby
Iritana Hohaia
Kate Henwood
Katelyn Vahaakolo
Kennedy Simon
Krystal Murray
Layla Sae
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
Lucy Jenkins
Luka Connor
Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Martha Mataele
Mererangi Paul
Natalie Delamere
Patricia Maliepo
Renee Holmes
Rosie Kelly
Ruahei Demant
Ruby Tui
Sophie Fisher
Sylvia Brunt
Tanya Kalounivale

Black Ferns news

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Black Ferns XV named to face Manusina XV
The Black Ferns XV have named their squad to face Manusina XV on Saturday
Black Ferns Squad named for end of year Tests
Black Ferns coaches Allan Bunting, Steve Jackson, Mike Delany and Tony Christie have named their 30 player squad to compete at home in front of their Black Ferns fans for their final Test match of the O'Reilly Cup, presented by Ryman Healthcare and the inagural WXV1 tournament.
Rugby World Cup 2021 set the blueprint for rugby's future
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin hopes last year's Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand can set the trend for engagement with the game in the future.
O’Reilly Cup: One Month To Go
It’s just one month until the World Champion Black Ferns step back out on home soil.
Tickets on sale for Black Ferns test match
Tickets on sale for Black Ferns O’Reilly Cup Test in Hamilton

2025 Women's Rugby World Cup host cities and venues confirmed
WORLD RUGBY AND RFU CONFIRM HOST CITIES AND VENUES WITH TWO YEARS TO GO UNTIL WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
Black Ferns XV to provide opportunity for emerging talent
New Zealand’s brightest emerging women’s rugby talent will have the chance to don the black jersey later this year with the Black Ferns XV set to play against Samoa.
WXV 1 match schedule announced
The world champion Black Ferns will play France during a blockbuster opening weekend of the inaugural WXV 1 tournament at Sky Stadium in Wellington as the world’s top six teams kick off a new era for international women’s rugby in New Zealand this October.
Ryman Healthcare backs the Black Ferns
The Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens have welcomed Ryman Healthcare to the Black Ferns whānau, with the announcement of a new partnership supporting women and girls rugby in Aotearoa.
Storming second half by Black Ferns
The Black Ferns have won the Pacific Four series with a 39-17 comeback victory over the USA in Ottawa which told little of the drama in the first half.
PREVIEW: Black Ferns v USA (Ottawa)
The Black Ferns have the chance to go unbeaten in the Pacific Four and extend their winning streak to 15 when they face USA in Ottawa on Saturday morning (NZT).

Roos to captain Black Ferns against USA
Black Ferns lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos will lead the Black Ferns in their final Test match of the Pacific Four Series when they face USA at TD Place in Ottawa on Friday afternoon, 4.00pm (CEDT), Saturday morning 8.00am (NZT).

Black Ferns reach 100 Test match victories
When the Black Ferns beat Canada 52-21 on Sunday (NZT) they achieved their 100th Test victory.

Black Ferns secure WXV1 qualification with Ottawa victory
The Black Ferns have confirmed their place at the Global WXV1 tournament in October on New Zealand shores and all but wrapped up the Pacific Four Series title with a dominant 52-21 defeat of host Canada in Ottawa.
PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Canada (Ottawa)
The Black Ferns face a huge challenge against a high-flying Canada side desperate to defend their home-turf and move into pole position for the Pacific Four title.
Black Ferns named for Canada clash
The Black Ferns coaches have named a powerful match day 23 to face Canada in their second Test match of the Pacific Four Series.

Black Ferns run rampant in Redcliffe
The Allan Bunting tenure has kicked off in style with the Black Ferns recording a resounding 50-0 defeat of the Australian Wallaroos in the opening O’Reilly Cup match in Redcliffe.
PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Wallaroos (Brisbane)
New Zealand's World Cup-winning Black Ferns set out on a new phase when playing Australia's Wallaroos in Thursday's first game of the Pacific Four Series in Brisbane.
Black Ferns primed for their opening Test against Australia
An eagerly anticipated return for the Black Ferns is almost over, with the team primed and ready to kick-off their first Test match of the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup against the Wallaroos.
First Black Ferns squad of 2023 named
A new era for the Rugby World Cup winning Black Ferns is underway with the first squad named today ahead of their opening Test for the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup against Australia in Brisbane later this month.

Black Ferns Videos

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Breaking Barriers: Kendra's Path to Becoming a Rugby Legend (NZR+)
Legendary Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge takes us on a journey through…
Welcome to NZR+
NZR+ is here! It's rugby, plus some. Stream documentaries, short films…
Every Black Ferns try from the 2023 Pacific Four
Catch up on all the Black Ferns tries from the 2023 Pacific Four!
HIGHLIGHTS: Black Ferns v USA (Ottawa)
Catch up on all the big moments from the final clash of the Pacific Four.
EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS: Black Ferns v Australia (Brisbane)
Catch up on the best moments from the Black Ferns opening Test of 2023.
Find your Incredible
What is it that makes you incredible? Find your incredible and next career move…
Black Ferns Trophy Tour: Christchurch
The Black Ferns Trophy tour stopped by Christchurch on Monday December 12 to…
ASB Rugby Awards 2022
Catch all the action from the 2022 edition of the ASB Rugby Awards brought to…
Sky Fans Try of the Year 2022
Have your say and vote on the Sky fans try of the Year for 2022!
A letter from Portia to the next generation of Black Ferns
Portia Woodman has a message for the players of tomorrow.
Wes Clarke on the Rugby World Cup final
Assistant Coach, Wes Clarke speaks to the media ahead of the Black Ferns' Rugby…
What 'family' means to the Black Ferns
How big an influence does family have on the Black Ferns? Let the players tell…
Fitzpatrick and Holmes on the challenge of France
Theresa Fitzpatrick & Renee Holmes speak to the media ahead of their RWC…
PRESS CONFERENCE | Bremner and Demant on semifinal against France
Chelsea Bremner and co-Captain Ruahei Demant speak to the media ahead of the…
What 'sisterhood' means to the Black Ferns
The Black Ferns share their thoughts on the sisterhood they have built.
Co-Captain Kennedy Simon returns from injury for RWC debut
Kennedy Simon returns from a horror injury run that could have derailed her…
PRESS CONFERENCE | Wayne and Kennedy talk RWC 21 Quarter Final build up
Black Ferns Coach, Wayne Smith and Co-Captain, Kennedy Simon, talk about the…
PRESS CONFERENCE | Hirini and Cocksedge on RWC 21 Quarter Finals
Sarah Hirini and Kendra Cocksedge talk about the buildup towards the upcoming…
Hazel Tubic playing for the love of rugby
11 years after her Black Ferns debut and ahead of her 20th Test cap, Hazel…
PRESS CONFERENCE | Ayesha and Renee on Game 3 for RWC 21
Black Ferns Outside Backs, Ayesha Leti-I'iga and Renee Holmes discuss…