Alana Bremner: 'The relentlessness of the girls was awesome'

Canterbury lock Alana Bremner has been a mainstay for the Black Ferns since 2021, appearing in 32 Test matches for 23 victories.

Emphasising that the 40-0 win over Ireland in Brighton last Sunday was the Black Ferns’ best performance under coach Alan Bunting, who took over in 2023 and holds a modest record of 15 wins, six losses and one draw.

Bremner was particularly tenacious against Ireland, making two crucial turnovers in the opening quarter to defuse threatening attacks.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe receives Women’s Top 50 award

New Zealand Women’s superstar Portia Woodman-Wickliffe spoke to RugbyPass after receiving the prestigious, inaugural RugbyPass Women’s Top 50 award this week.

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Portia Woodman-Wickliffe receives Women’s Top 50 award

New Zealand Women’s superstar Portia Woodman-Wickliffe spoke to RugbyPass after receiving the prestigious, inaugural RugbyPass Women’s Top 50 award this week.

View Top 50

The Black Ferns’ lineout also improved after a shaky display against Japan. More of the same is expected in their upcoming match against first-time quarter-finalists South Africa at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday.

“It felt like the Ireland performance had been coming for a while. We’ve been building throughout the World Cup. The girls are a tight-knit group, and in contrast to last year, we’ve developed new ways of playing and finding solutions to problems more quickly,” Bremner told RugbyPass.

“One thing we’ve really focused on is our carry height, ensuring we don’t get held up in collisions and being more clinical at the breakdown so we can unleash our backs with their superpowers.

“South Africa has a very strong pack. They’ll be super physical. I believe they have the most post-contact carry metres in the competition. They’ve really made their mark at this World Cup. We expect them to come at us straight up the guts.”

South Africa has claimed a 60% share of territory at Rugby World Cup 2025, the second highest of any team, behind France, while only the USA has enjoyed more possession.

Bremner found encouragement in the Black Ferns’ defensive performance against Ireland.

“The relentlessness of the girls was awesome. It was great to see the focus from everyone on the next job,” she said.

Regarding the seven-one forward split on the bench, she noted: “I think every team brings something unique to this competition. South Africa knows their strengths, and we have to play to ours.”

The Black Ferns have won all three of their matches at Rugby World Cup 2025 by 40 points or more. They rank first for carry metres (3,792), line breaks (47) and defenders beaten (127).

The attacking talent of Olympic gold medal-winning Sevens stars like Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka, Jorja Miller, and Risi Pouri-Lane is well established, but it’s the dazzling 18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who has scored hat-tricks in the past two games, who is currently in the spotlight.

“Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s confidence is incredible,” Bremner remarked. “She has agility, speed and the instinct you want from young players.”

“Layla Sae, in her first World Cup, has also been fantastic. She’s brought a real physical presence. We want to create a culture where these youngsters can flourish.”

The Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup record stands at 39 wins and two losses, which includes a 55-3 victory against South Africa in their only previous meeting at the 2010 Rugby World Cup. Highlights from that match included three tries from winger Carla Hohepa and 15 points from Kelly Brazier.

Meanwhile, Alana Bremner is a unique part of Rugby World Cup history, competing in the tournament alongside her sister, Chelesa Bremner.

Other sister duos in Rugby World Cup 2025 include Manaé and Téani Feleu (France), Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa (Samoa), Keilamarita and Risi Pouri-Lane (Samoa/New Zealand), Elliann and Rhea Clarke (Scotland), Faitala and Manu’a Moleka (Australia), Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs (Wales), Nel and Branwen Metcalfe (Wales), Setaita and Adi Salaseini Railumu (Fiji), and Keleni Marawa and Karalaini Naisewa (Fiji).