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The Black Ferns in World Cup semi-finals: A history of excellence
By Adam Julian
The Black Ferns have improved their Women’s Rugby World Cup record to 40 wins and two losses while in England.
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They are on a winning streak of 18 consecutive matches. This weekend in Bristol, they will put their unbeaten run on the line against Canada, who made history by defeating the Black Ferns for the first time in 17 international matches in 2024 and also held them to a 27-27 draw in Christchurch in May.
The Black Ferns have won all of their World Cup semi-finals, the only exception being their first in 1991 when they lost 7-0 to the eventual champions, the USA Women’s Eagles.
In that tense match, captain and No. 8 Barbara Bond scored a try in the 59th minute, putting the contest out of the Black Ferns’ reach. Earlier, Chris Harju had successfully kicked a penalty.
New Zealand captain Helen Littleworth, who triumphed in 19 out of her 20 matches in the Black jersey, reflected on the experience:
“It was rugged. We had the skills, but we were behind the US in terms of match play and fitness; they were big and strong. Their women had organised a competition for several years and had set a benchmark, which sounds funny to say now.”
The USA won 16 of their first 19 internationals between 1987 and 1994. However, they would soon be surpassed by the Black Ferns, who have celebrated some of their greatest moments in World Cup semi-finals.
Black Ferns Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals
1991: July 21: USA, Cardiff – Lost: 0-7
1998: May: 12: England, Amsterdam – Won: 44-11
2002: May: 21: France, Barcelona – Won: 30-0
2006: September 12, France, Edmonton – Won: 40-10
2010: September: 1, France, London – Won: 45-7
2017: August: 22, USA, Belfast, Won – 45-12
2022: November: 5, France, Auckland, Won: 25-24
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2022 – French Foiled By A Whisker
The Black Ferns rallied from a half-time deficit to overcome France 25-24 in an epic semi-final at Eden Park, marking this as only the third time in World Cup history they have achieved such a comeback.
The visitors led 17-10 at the break but conceded 15 unanswered points in the first quarter of the second half before another shift in momentum.
With just a minute left in the match, Black Ferns reserve prop Santo Taumata received a yellow card for a high tackle, presenting French fly-half Caroline Drouin with a chance to win the game with a penalty from 35 metres out, directly in front.
Unfortunately for Drouin, her kick was low and left. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) collected the loose ball, charged into the French defence, but the ball was then secured as time expired with short passes and cautious forward drives.
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Black Ferns Director of Rugby, Sir Wayne Smith, commented: “When Kennedy caught that ball, I was yelling out, ‘Kick it, kick it!’ but then I realised there were 10 seconds left, and she did the right thing by not kicking it. I thought it was a great game of competitive rugby, fantastic for the women’s game. It was just outstanding.”
France were formidable early in the match, jumping to a 10-0 lead with a penalty from Drouin and a try from No.8 Romane Menager off a lineout drive.
In the 28th minute, Black Ferns full-back Renee Holmes kicked a penalty from 25 metres out to score her side’s first points.
The Black Ferns followed that up with a try by Stacey Waaka, after some quick thinking from half-back Kendra Cocksedge, with Holmes successfully converting from the sideline, levelling the score at 10-10.
The Black Ferns made a mistake from the restart, allowing France to regain the lead with a try from centre Gabrielle Vernier, who crashed over in the tackle of Alana Bremner.
Down 17-10 at the interval, the Black Ferns’ bench provided much-needed energy, and it was the charismatic starting winger Ruby Tui who scored the first try of the second half.
After Holmes kicked the ball into space, Tui outpaced the chasing defenders, benefiting from a collision among the French players at the back.
“There’s never just one moment that wins a game; many things contribute to the result,” Tui recalled. “Smithy (then-coach Sir Wayne Smith) gave us the freedom to play what we saw in front of us. We jammed, and there was space behind the French defence. Renee winked, and I chased.”
The Black Ferns’ lineouts improved throughout the tournament, and a 15-metre drive led to Theresa Setefano (nee Fitzpatrick) wriggling over for a try in the 56th minute. Ruahei Demant added a penalty from 25 metres out, giving the Black Ferns a 25-17 lead as they entered the final quarter.
Safi N’Diaye came off the bench in her 90th Test and made a powerful run that left the Black Ferns defence scattered. Shortly afterwards, Menager drove over once more, reducing the deficit to just one point.
N’Diaye received a yellow card for a high tackle, but France remained determined, mounting pressure within the Black Ferns’ territory until Drouin was presented with an opportunity to kick, following yet another high tackle incident involving replacement prop Taumata.
“I couldn’t even watch the kick,” Tuimata reflected. “I sat on the bench with my head in my hands and didn’t look up until it missed. It was only at full-time that I stood up. I got teased all week during practice, but Rahui Demant told me not to stress, so it was all good.”
Sarah Hirini, who was named the official Player of the Match, led the Black Ferns in tackles with 10 and provided her typical inspiring presence.
2017 – Portia Cuts Loose
The USA gave as good as they got in the opening quarter against a rampant Black Ferns, holding the tournament favourites to 8-7 after 25 minutes.
The 2018 Rugby Almanack reported what Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (nee Woodman) did next:
“Woodman’s first try in the semi-final, against a powerful USA team, was a stunning 45 metre run during which she fended off three tacklers and evaded two more before scoring under the posts… Shortly after half-time, she scored again, with the score advancing to 20-7, and the Americans’ confidence was broken. Two more tries and the Black Ferns won 45-12. Woodman’s brilliant individual try won the voting by Sky fans as the best try of the year.”
In December 2020 the try was acknowledged as the Women’s 15s Try of the Decade by World Rugby.
Woodman-Wickliffe’s performance even drew comparisons to Jonah Lomu (63 Tests, 37 Tries, 44 wins).
“Just the thought that people even compare me to Jonah or anyone else is huge,” Woodman-Wickliffe said at the time. “I am a long way off being someone as great as him. I take it as a compliment.
Woodman-Wickliffe has gone on to shatter several try-scoring records. She was the leading try scorer in World Sevens Series history, before being passed by Black Ferns Sevens teammate Michaela Blyde.
With 50 tries in 32 Tests, Woodman-Wickliffe has scored more Test tries than any male or female New Zealand rugby international. She holds the Rugby World Cup try-scoring record with 22.
2006 – Martin Masterclass
In the previous two seasons France had won 18 consecutive internationals. However, they were decisively defeated by the Black Ferns in Edmonton, losing 40-10, despite the New Zealand Herald noting that ‘the French pack did apply pressure for sustained periods’.
The Black Ferns began strongly when full-back Amiria Marsh scored just 44 seconds into the match after Victoria Heighway poached a French lineout.
France briefly stunned the Black Ferns when No.8 Delphine Plantet powered over from a five metre scrum to score.
However, three-time Rugby World Cup-winning flanker and firefighter Rochelle Martin quickly took charge. She scored two tries, helping the Black Ferns lead 20-5 at half-time, as reported by the New Zealand Herald:
“Martin played the perfect supporting role, finishing off a trademark midfield break by penetrating centre Huriana Manuel just two minutes after Plantet’s try. She then capped off a powerful run by Marsh, who was consistently impactful throughout the match.”
The French team faced no respite in the second half, as further tries came from Emma Jensen, Anna Richards, and Heighway. Despite the defeat, Martin acknowledged the strength of the French players:
“The French are a phenomenal team – big and strong with great athletes. I think that was the closest I got to playing a perfect game. I remember it more clearly than the final, where England dominated us for the first 20 minutes and all we could do was defend to survive.”
1998 – England Cast Aside
New Zealand powered past the 1994 world champions, England, in a textbook display of knockout rugby.
Annaleah Rush, who was later named player of the tournament, scored 24 points with two tries, four conversions, and two penalties in a headline-grabbing performance.
However, rugby writer Stephen Jones noted in The Sunday Times:
“The team’s key player has been Louisa Wall, a tall, powerful wing who stays close to the forwards and takes the ball into the first lines of defence.
“New Zealand’s women’s team is, in many ways, the most astonishing team I have ever encountered, so far ahead of where a women’s team has any right to be at this stage of the game’s development, and with a dominance that seems to threaten to be without end.”
Although Wall, who scored 48 tries in 32 official first-class games, did not score in this match, opposite wing Vanessa Coutts dotted down twice. Later, Wall became a Labour MP and, in 2013, introduced a bill before Parliament that allowed same-sex marriage in New Zealand.
Rush is the sister of All Black, Xavier Rush, and the cousin of Black Fern, Erin Rush. She was fortunate to even be at the tournament.
“I ruptured the ligament in my left pinky – the one that goes over the top – so I could never pull my finger back up again,” Rush said.
“I had to wear a brace for months. The pinky was straight in the brace, but it hurt like hell because it was pressing down. It slowly returned to shape, but throughout my career, I played with a plastic protector to shield it.”
The Black Ferns went on to win the Rugby World Cup final 44-12 against the USA, with Coutts scoring a record five tries. Meanwhile, Rush was the custodian of the Rugby World Cup trophy, which resided in a Dunedin student flat for over three months.
It served as a decorative piece above a non-functioning fireplace and was even used for drinking games. When the trophy was dented, Rush returned it to captain Dame Farah Palmer, who then had to explain what had happened to the New Zealand Rugby Union.
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