Black Ferns player ratings v France in Whangarei | WXV Global Series 2026

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei: Despite not having it all their way, the Black Ferns have claimed a second-straight victory over France, earning a 31-12 win at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei thanks to some impressive second-half impact.

Whitney Hansen’s side struggled in both halves to gain ascendancy in the Test match, until her experienced group of reserves entered the field to get the job done.

France head coach Francois Ratier will be extremely proud of his group, bouncing back from a heavy defeat in Hamilton to push the Black Ferns close to the final whistle.

Here’s how the Black Ferns rated in Whangarei.

1. Chryss Viliko – 5.5
Viliko, a mainstay in the Black Ferns’ forward pack, produced a hard-working performance, without being spectacular. The Kiwis had minor issues at scrum time, and Viliko’s last action was a drop-ball in midfield. Off midway through the second half.

2. Georgia Ponsonby – 6
Off in the tenth minute for an HIA, after a fairly disappointing start at lineout time. Returned to the field in the middle of the first half. After a mammoth performance in Hamilton, the second Test in Whangarei won’t go down among her best. Off in the 68th minute with three carries.

3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu – 7.5
Mahutariki-Fakalelu has quickly established herself as one of New Zealand’s most important players. Strong in the fundamental parts of the game, the prop carried powerfully and provided Hansen’s side with brutality defensively. The second half was much of the same, before being taken off with just under 15 minutes to play. Contributed nine tackles and eight carries.

4. Laura Bayfield – 5.5
Bayfield was part of the Black Ferns’ slow start to the game, missing a couple of front-on tackles. The lock improved as the contest continued, contributing to the Black Ferns’ solid driving maul performance in the second half.

5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu – 6
Strong outing in the tough stuff, but would have liked to impact the game on more levels. The Blues lock battled hard in and around the ruck, before being replaced in the 65th minute by Maia Roos.

6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u – 7
Mikaele-Tu’u had a very busy and strong afternoon on defence, making a team-high 16 tackles, but we didn’t see the best of her ball-carrying ability. As the game went on, and the Black Ferns turned possession into points, Mikaele Tu’u’s hard work started to pay off.

7. Layla Sae – 7.5
Best on ground in the first half, where the Black Ferns struggled to get a strong grip on the game. The destructive ball-runner put French defenders on the ground at will, and at times put the Black Ferns on her shoulders. Sae provided the Black Ferns with constant post-tackle presence at the breakdown, and gave Hansen a big headache moving forward at openside flanker.

8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker – N/A
Olsen-Baker can’t catch a break. The impressive loose-forward has struggled with injury during 2026, and left the field early on in Whangarei. Olsen-Baker, who looked to have picked up a nasty lower leg injury, couldn’t walk off alone at halftime, getting carried into the changing room.

9. Tara Turner – 6
Got charged down off her first box-kick, leading to France’s opening try. Turner responded with an inch-perfect cutout ball to Mererangi Paul for their first of the afternoon. The Northland local tried to speed up the game when she could, but the Black Ferns tended to kick and play more conservatively than in Hamilton. Off at 50 minutes.

10. Ruahei Demant – 5
Demant returned to the Black Ferns jersey for the first time since her recent injury, and had a rough first 40 minutes. For Demant’s standards, it was a poor showing in the first half, opting to kick rather than keeping hold of the ball. The Black Ferns captain kicked a penalty opportunity dead, which could have seen the home side extend their first-half lead.

11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a – 7
It didn’t all fall Tuliau-Tua’a’s way in the opening quarter, but she wasn’t going to let that hamper her impact on the game. The four-try hero from Hamilton had moments of promise in the first half with ball in hand, highlighted by her try in the left-hand corner, but the Chiefs Manawa winger’s power on defence was impressive. Off for Ayesha Leti-I’iga in the 61st minute.

12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt – 6
Uncharacteristic outing from the experienced midfielder. Crunching tackle in the 10th minute to halt France’s momentum, but didn’t have a huge impact on the contest in the first 40 minutes. A couple of strong carries in the second half, but also dropped an attacking opportunity cold.

13. Justine McGregor – 5
Lacked impact on the game, largely due to the Black Ferns’ kick-first approach. Had four carries for the home side before being replaced by Hannah King at halftime.

14. Mererangi Paul – 7.5
Ran an absolute peach of a line to cross for the Black Ferns’ first of the afternoon, strolling in untouched. Led the game in carries and line breaks at halftime, despite the game not always being in her direction.

15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee – 9
Generational talent. Sorensen-McGee is elusive, dangerous, and can change a game with a click of her fingers. Sorensen-McGee looked the most threatening with ball in hand and often brought multiple defenders in to tackle her. The fullback also swept up any danger in behind, often darting back to regather a France kick. Nice slick catch-and-pass in the first half for Tuliau-Tua’a’s try, before nearly setting up another minutes later. Outstanding solo try late in the contest, weaving through three France defenders to all but secure the Test match.

Reserves

16. Vici-Rose Green – 8
On early after Ponsonby’s HIA, and made an immediate impact. Got herself over the ball inside the Black Ferns’ half, earning an important penalty. Returned late on in the contest and played a part in the final two tries.

17. Maddison Robinson – 7
Robinson had a solid stint off the bench, helping the Black Ferns get over the advantage line.

18. Santo Taumata – 6
On with less than 15 minutes to go, the scrum was strong.

19. Maiakawanakaulani Roos – 8
The experienced lock straightened up the attack immediately after coming on. Breaking through a couple of French defenders with her first two carries. Roos showed her class, even if it was a small sample size, changing the game in a variety of ways.

20. Amarante Sititi – 7.5
Added a try late on after coming on for Olsen-Baker. The promising youngster was everywhere in her longer-than-expected stint off the bench, but Sititi proved why she’s in this Black Ferns 23-strong squad. Sititi popped up from side to side with ball in hand, and showcased her solid and wide-ranging skills.

21. Maia Joseph – 7
Like Turner, Joseph battled to speed up the game. Joseph’s wide cut-out ball saw Sititi go in close to the posts.

22. Hannah King – 8
Steered the ship effectively in the second period. King popped up at first receiver to relieve the pressure off Demant, doing so without any errors. Part of a strong second half where the home side proved too good for an understrength France.

23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga – 7
Leti-I’iga was courageous from the moment she stepped on the field. Showed her power with her carries, getting the home side on the front foot after a tough 60 minutes.