In a dramatic climax at Allianz Stadium, England's Red Roses clinched a 26-19 win over the Black Ferns thanks to a last‑minute try by Zoe Harrison that was followed by a successful conversion. The match, watched by nearly 60,000 fans, lived up to its billing as a showdown between the two highest‑ranked women’s rugby nations, with the lead swapping hands three times before the decisive fourth try broke the deadlock. The first half saw New Zealand take a 12-7 advantage.
After Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald crossed for England’s opening score, the Black Ferns answered with a try from Amy Du Plessis, who capitalised on a loose ball after Lucy Packer’s clearance went astray. Ayesha Leti‑I'iga then added a second New Zealand try, putting the visitors ahead just before the break. England emerged from the interval with renewed vigor.
Ellie Kildunne burst through the defensive line to score a powerful try that restored parity, and shortly thereafter Jess Breach extended the English lead to 19-12. Breach’s effort came after a yellow card was shown to Black Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki‑Fakalelu for a high tackle on Marlie Packer, leaving New Zealand a man short for a crucial spell. The visitors, however, were not finished.
Mererangi Paul dived over in the 70th minute to level the scores at 19-19, setting the stage for a nail‑biting finish. England’s Zoe Harrison then attempted a 40‑metre penalty, but the kick fell short of the posts, leaving the outcome in the balance.
Instead of opting for a safe touch‑line kick to settle for a draw, New Zealand chose to run the ball from their own 22. In a moment that would define the match, Black Ferns centre Amy Du Plessis attempted a pass that was intercepted by Harrison deep inside the New Zealand 22.
Seizing the opportunity, Harrison sprinted to the try line, dove over, and later converted her own try, sealing a 26-19 triumph for the Red Roses. The victory extended England’s unbeaten run to 41 matches, following a dramatic 26‑26 draw against Canada the previous week. It also marked a significant milestone for the team, which is now benefiting from the defensive expertise of legendary coach Shaun Edwards. The Red Roses entered the match on a 39‑game winning streak that had been snapped by Canada at Sandy Park, making this win a vital statement of intent.
New Zealand entered the contest as the reigning World Cup champions, having won all seven of their test matches in 2024. Their early dominance reflected that form, but England’s resilience and tactical adjustments under Edwards’ guidance kept the contest tightly contested. Leti‑I'iga’s early try was controversially disallowed after a video review showed a double‑movement, underscoring how fine the margins were. Key moments that shaped the narrative included: * Moloney‑MacDonald’s opening try, set up by a precise pass from Kildunne, which gave England an early foothold.
* Du Plessis’ opportunistic try after chasing down her own kick, demonstrating New Zealand’s ability to turn defensive pressure into points. * The yellow‑card incident involving Mahutariki‑Fakalelu, which created a temporary numerical advantage for England and allowed Breach to score in the corner. * Paul’s equaliser, which came after sustained pressure and highlighted the Black Ferns’ capacity to respond when reduced to full strength.
Both captains reflected on the intensity of the encounter. England’s centre Megan Jones praised the team’s character and defensive work, noting that the match tested every facet of their game. "We accepted the challenge from the Black Ferns from the first whistle and stayed true to our game plan," she said.
New Zealand captain Georgia Ponsonby expressed pride despite the loss, emphasizing the team’s bravery and the narrow margins that decided the result. Coaches also offered insight.
England head coach John Mitchell described the contest as "topsy‑turvy" and lauded the Black Ferns for their relentless pressure, while also highlighting the importance of defensive discipline in the second half. New Zealand coach Wendy Hansen spoke of pride in the squad’s performance and framed the match as a learning experience that would inform the Black Ferns’ future development. Looking ahead, the WXV Global Series will resume next month with the North American leg, where England will face Canada twice before a final test against the United States.
For the Red Roses, the win reinforces their status as the team to beat, while the Black Ferns will regroup and aim to translate the lessons from this close defeat into future success. Overall, the match was a showcase of elite women’s rugby: high‑skill play, strategic kicking, powerful forward battles, and moments of individual brilliance. Zoe Harrison’s interception and try epitomised the opportunistic edge that often decides tight contests, while the collective effort from both sides underlined why the Red Roses and Black Ferns remain at the pinnacle of the sport.