Georgia Ponsonby: 'Today's performance won't be good enough to beat England'

Stand-in Black Ferns skipper Georgia Ponsonby knows her side hasn’t fully clicked yet during the 2026 WXV Global Series, as they turn their attention to the Red Roses next weekend at Allianz Stadium.

Ponsonby and the Black Ferns hit their straps in the second half of their convincing 66-14 domination against Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, scoring four unanswered tries.

Tries from Mo’omo’oga Palu and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu opened proceedings, before the hosts hit back in front of their home crowd through Evie Gallagher.

But the Black Ferns showcased their quality in spades during the second half, running away with the week two WXV contest in Edinburgh.

Ponsonby, who has the captaincy while Ruahei Demant recovers from a calf injury, explained how she saw the battle on the field.

“I think it was a really exciting game. There were a lot of cool tries scored out there, and I think it was a cool opportunity for us to show our X factor and the players that we’ve got,” the Black Ferns hooker told reporters.

“Scotland were a quality team. I think they showed a lot of heart out there. I think the scoreline doesn’t reflect the tussle and the battle that we experienced out there.

“So yeah, I think they should be really proud of themselves, and it was a really awesome game.”

Ponsonby knows that there are areas, though, that the Red Roses will be able to exploit next weekend if the Black Ferns can’t improve.

“I think probably just our ball security, making those right decisions to carry or to make the offload, and then yeah, secure our rucks so that we can get quick ball and exploit the space.

“I think week on week we’ve grown, we’ve gotten better each week, and I’m really proud of how we’ve done that. But today’s performance won’t be good enough to beat England.”

Black Ferns Sevens star and outside-back Maia Davis came off the bench to make her debut against Scotland, entering the field to replace Braxton Sorensen-McGee in the 50th minute.

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen said Davis has made a big impact on their Northern Tour, and will be sorely missed when she returns to the Black Ferns Sevens environment.

“Maia is a special human being, and I think it’s sort of been a matter of when, not if, she was going to be a Black Fern. And I think the most exciting thing about her is that she’s so hungry to be better that what we saw tonight is just the beginning of something really special.

“I did have a wee joke with her and just see whether or not she wanted to stay on for another few games before going back to Sevens. But she’s decided at this point she will go back to Sevens for the next piece, but we’ll enjoy the time that we’ve got with her, and she’s made a massive contribution to this tour.”