Zoe Harrison’s last‑minute try in added time lifted England’s Red Roses to a thrilling win against the New Zealand Black Ferns, restoring their winning momentum in spectacular fashion. The decisive play came when the England fly‑half intercepted a New Zealand pass inside the host’s 22‑metre line, turning a missed penalty into a conversion that sealed a 26‑19 triumph. Nearly 60,000 spectators at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium witnessed a pulsating encounter between the two world‑leading sides, with the lead swapping three times before the Red Roses clinched a fourth, match‑winning try. England entered halftime trailing 12‑7 after the Black Ferns responded to Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald’s opening try with scores from Amy Du Plessis and Ayesha Leti‑I'iga.
The second half saw England surge ahead when Ellie Kildunne burst through the defensive line, followed by Jess Breach extending the advantage to 19‑12 after a yellow card was shown to Black Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki‑Fakalelu for a high tackle on Marlie Packer. New Zealand, however, fought back and drew level at 19‑19 when Mererangi Paul crossed the line with ten minutes remaining. A missed penalty from Harrison seemed to hand the game to the visitors, but her timely interception turned the tide. She seized the ball, sprinted into the in‑goal area and was immediately swarmed by her teammates, sparking jubilant cheers from the Twickenham crowd.
The win pushed England’s unbeaten streak to 41 matches, building on last week’s dramatic 26‑26 draw with Canada. The Red Roses arrived at Twickenham after a 39‑game winning run was halted by World Cup runners‑up Canada at Sandy Park a week earlier. The Black Ferns, who had defeated England in the 2022 World Cup final, entered the match in fine form, having won all seven of their test matches that year.
New Zealand started with greater intent, putting the English side—now guided by legendary defence coach Shaun Edwards—under early pressure. Winger Leti‑I'iga appeared to give the Ferns the lead within the first ten minutes, but her try was ruled out after a video review showed a double‑movement. England soon found their rhythm when Moloney‑MacDonald scored the opening try from a pass by Kildunne, setting a positive tone. The Black Ferns responded stoutly.
Centre Du Plessis reduced the deficit by chasing down her own kick after Lucy Packer’s poor clearance and grounding the ball unopposed. Shortly after, Leti‑I'iga broke through the English defence following an incisive inside pass from fly‑half Hannah King, giving New Zealand the lead just before the half‑hour mark.
The visitors continued to press, but a crucial knock‑on inches from the try line prevented them from extending their advantage further before the break. After the interval, John Mitchell’s English side emerged with renewed energy.
Kildunne showcased her trademark speed, outrunning the Black Ferns to score a wide‑open try. A subsequent yellow card to prop Mahutariki‑Fakalelu reduced New Zealand to 14 players, allowing Breach to touch down in the corner for England’s third try and push the score to 19‑12.
When the Ferns returned to full strength they again threatened the English line, and winger Paul finished a sustained pressure move to level the scores at 19‑19. Both teams then entered a tense period where chances were scarce. Harrison’s 40‑metre penalty fell short, prompting New Zealand to forgo a safe touch‑line kick and instead launch an attacking set from their own 22. Du Plessis attempted a pass that was intercepted by Harrison, who sprinted into the in‑goal area and was immediately embraced by her teammates.
The crowd erupted, celebrating the dramatic finish. England captain and centre Megan Jones reflected on the performance: "What an amazing honour to play the Black Ferns.
They set a challenge from the start; we responded well and embraced it. It was a fantastic test match – we’re now playing the top teams and being tested in every facet, and today we prevailed and stayed on top. Massive credit to our defence, which is my favourite part of the game, and to the girls for showing great character." On Harrison’s winning try, Jones added, "I told her, ‘you create your own luck in this game’, and that was her moment.
We applied relentless pressure, and while the Black Ferns gave us a spectacular show, we capitalised on the opportunities created by our defensive pressure. It was an incredible way to finish." England head coach John Mitchell praised the contest: "It was topsy‑turvy. I must commend the New Zealand girls; they threw everything at us and we gave them a lot of possession.
The half‑time message was simple – a single moment can change the game – and our defence deserved huge credit for holding firm." New Zealand captain Georgia Ponsonby, who was on the bench at the final whistle, expressed pride: "I was on the bench at the end, but the overwhelming feeling is pride. It was neck‑and‑neck the whole way through and the girls gave everything.
It was the Test match of our dreams in many ways. We were unlucky at the end, but I’m hugely proud of my team. We didn’t come here to lose; we came to win and be brave, and that’s exactly what we did." Black Ferns head coach Wendy Hansen echoed that sentiment: "Honestly, the biggest feeling right now is pride.
We have an amazing group of athletes, coaches and families working hard, and we’re at the beginning of a new chapter for Black Ferns rugby. This week was a real big test, a line in the sand that showed where we are special and built differently. The game was exciting and highlighted where we can improve.
It’s an exciting space to be in. We always want to win, but for us it’s about chasing performance, staying humble and continuing the journey." The WXV Global Series will resume next month with the North American leg, giving Mitchell’s side further opportunities to test themselves. England will face World Cup runners‑up Canada twice before a final test against the United States in successive weeks.