Talking points as France close gap but can't handle Black Ferns' late surge

The Black Ferns overcame a much-improved France in Whangarei, with a late scoring burst separating the two teams after a tight opening hour.

Late tries to Amarante Sititi, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Mererangi Paul were the difference for the Kiwis, who turned a 14-12 halftime lead into a 31-12 final score.

France have closed the gap after an 81-12 defeat seven days prior, but New Zealand’s firepower remains a major hurdle for the visitors to overcome.

Here are some takeaways from the New Zealand win.

Layla’s back
This Test was Layla Sae’s first start on New Zealand soil since the ACL injury she sustained playing for Harlequins last November, and it’s fair to say she enjoyed it.

The flanker was involved in everything on both sides of the ball, making sure the French felt every single one of her 16 carries and chewing through 40 metres with her eight carries.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Sae said she’s returned to the Black Ferns environment with a renewed appreciation for the game and the attitude to play every game as if it could be her last. That much was already evident from her performance on Saturday afternoon.

Her power and footwork offer something different to Elinor-Plum King, who has started the bulk of the 2026 season to date in her first year in the national set-up. The No.7 jersey will be one of the most intriguing coming into the fina team naming of the yesar on Thursday.

King coming for the crown
Last week in Hamilton, Hannah King had the ball on a string and devastated the French defence. Her varied game-driving and playmaking execution were hugely influential in the Black Ferns’ early dominance. Her counterpart, Elodie Fernandez, had little say in the contest.

This week in Whangarei, Ruahei Demant met Carla Arbez in the battle of the No. 10s, and the match played out very differently. New Zealand kicked early and often, and the French backfield usually gathered it comfortably. Arbez was more considered with her game management, and France looked the more composed attack as a result.

King’s half-time introduction didn’t bring an immediate change of attacking philosophy, but after a couple of unconvincing kicks, the young No.10 adopted a more aggressive mindset, and the Black Ferns’ attack started to make incisions.

Demant had her moments with some smooth distribution at the line, but her apprentice is delivering a game more aligned with the classic New Zealand rugby DNA, and inspiring more tries.

Demant has been in the Black Ferns’ driver’s seat for 58 Tests, delivering a hard-fought 2022 Rugby World Cup title and winning World Rugby Player of the Year in the process. Every great in the black jersey is tasked with mentoring their successor, eventually to their own demise, and it appears that we’re watching that succession happen in real time.

Braxton’s next step
Braxton Sorensen-McGee is evolving before our eyes. The 19-year-old is already maturing into a second pivot in the Black Ferns’ backfield, showing the growth in her distribution game across this year.

Last week wasn’t the classic Braxton performance, with more passing than running, but it’s clear that’s her intention as she rounds out her game on her quest to become the world’s best fullback.

In Test II, she balanced her distribution with the elite attacking game that saw her break onto the Test scene last year, and had one of her more self-assured performances with the ball in hand.

Her 70th-minute breakaway and try was the highlight, with razor-sharp footwork and pace creating the opportunity and finishing it.

After the match, Whitney Hansen told reporters she has challenged all her players to become at least a double threat in attack, and Sorensen-McGee appears to be rising to that challenge.