'This year does feel like a bit of a clean slate': Bayfield on cementing Black Ferns jersey

Black Ferns lock Laura Bayfield is used to navigating choppy waters. At the age of 20, she led a team of military engineers to build one of the longest Bailey bridges in New Zealand – across the Waiho River on the West Coast – after raging floodwaters washed away the lifeline between two key tourism communities.

During Rugby World Cup 2025, she overcame the disappointment of being the only red-carded player in the tournament, a sanction for “technical offences”, to produce a barnstorming display in the Black Ferns 42-26 victory over France in the third-place playoff at Twickenham.

Bayfield covers lock and all three loose forward positions. She can grind in tight and also roam wider on the flanks. The 26-year-old has won all six Tests in which she’s appeared, shaping to be a pivotal figure in the Black Ferns 2026 season, which consists of 10 Tests.

Last week at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport, 41 players attended the first Black Ferns training camp of the year.

“This year does feel like a bit of a clean slate. Though many experienced players will return from PWR in England, it’s an opportunity for new players to put their hands up under new coach Whitney Hansen,” said the New Zealand Army captain.

“I’m really looking forward to what Whitney will bring to the group. I’m lucky I’ve been coached by her at Matatu for two seasons. She’s a really positive person who encourages player feedback and innovation.”

Bayfield identified Matatu and Canterbury teammate Winnie Palamo as an uncapped player who thrived at camp and is worth earmarking for the future. The winger has scored a dozen tries in 15 games for Canterbury and eight tries in 12 games for Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki.

Bayfield discovered rugby while in the military and was encouraged to play by former Black Ferns Sevens representative Crystal Mayes.

“In 2020, we were doing a wrestling exercise, a King of the Ring challenge on a wet, muddy day against the boys led by Crystal,” Bayfield explained.

“My inner competitiveness came out, and I simply had to win. Crystal invited me to play rugby for Linton afterwards. I played one game and was completely hooked.”

Only two years later, Bayfield made her Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) debut while playing for the Tasman Mako as a loan player from Canterbury. She featured in wins against North Harbour and Taranaki, scoring a try before tearing the medial cruciate ligament in her knee, which ruled her out for the rest of the season.

Bayfield made her debut for Canterbury in the 2023 FPC in a resounding 58-29 victory over Wellington at Rugby Park, Christchurch. She has played 16 games in red and black, achieving 11 victories and scoring three tries.

In 2024, she was named Canterbury Player of the Year. She was the top tackler in the FPC, with 167 in eight games, and also ranked in the top five for carries with 120.

Bayfield’s momentum continued with Matat?, for whom she has made a dozen appearances in Super Rugby Aupiki. She ranked in the top 20 for tackles made as the Southerns narrowly lost to the Blues in the final, 26-19, at Eden Park, not far from where Bayfield grew up.

She made her Black Ferns debut against Australia a month before the latest World Cup. A solid 25 minutes off the bench was enough to earn a trip to England.

Bayfield’s World Cup turned into a nightmare in Exeter when she was red-carded from the bench in the Black Ferns 62-19 win over Japan. In the 42nd minute, she was yellow carded for a deliberate, in reality accidental, knock on, and 25 minutes later, the Black Ferns, under a warning for persistent infringements, collapsed a Japanese lineout drive with Bayfield identified as the guilty party.

She joined Iritana Hohaia and Chryss Viliko as just the third Black Fern to be red-carded in a Test match. An automatic three-match ban for a red card at the World Cup loomed.

“My initial feeling was that I let my team down, a really empty feeling of regret,” Bayfield reflected. “The management and players’ support was unbelievable. I had to get over it quickly and move on to the next job. I was relieved I wasn’t suspended.”

An Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) ruled the red card was a sufficient penalty.

The Black Ferns required Bayfield’s military might to help suppress South Africa in the quarter-final. She was summoned from the bench at half time, when scores were tied 10-10, and New Zealand was reeling from brutish, innovative tactics that saw them make 141 of the 157 first-half tackles and defuse 15-woman rolling mauls.

“The coaches were calm and flexible at half time. They provided a solution for the mauls after 60 seconds, and it was one-on-one, all-in. After that, it was about playing our game, avoiding the mistakes that got us into those situations in the first place,” Bayfield said.

Bayfield was surplus to requirements in the 34-19 defeat to Canada in the semi-final, but started in the third-place playoff against France. There, she delivered her best for last, topping the tackle count with 23 and taking the most catches in a line out that operated without a hitch.

In the 39th minute of the 42-26 Black Ferns win, she scored her first Test try. From their own 22-metre line, the Black Ferns stretched the play to the right. World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Jorja Miller slipped out of two tackles and connected with Bayfield, who strode 25 metres.

“That was an unreal moment, right time, right place, I guess,” Bayfield mused modestly. “I do remember locking eyes with my parents in the crowd of 80,000. My mum Sue was waving her Poi like crazy, and my Dad Mark smiled. Having my parents in England for the whole World Cup was a highlight. The support from the Kiwis was amazing. We didn’t want to finish third, but we felt the love the whole time, which was special.”

The Black Ferns will host France in a three-test series in October.

“The French are unlike any team I’ve played. They’re fast decision-makers and ball players who can also arm wrestle. You never quite know what’s coming,” Bayfield observed.

The Black Ferns’ first international in 2026 is on April 12th in Sacramento against the USA as part of the Pacific Four Series, which also includes Canada and Australia. Following those games, the Black Ferns will play South Africa for the first time on South African soil, take part in the WXV Global Series and host the French trilogy.

Plenty of game time potential for Bayfield to further cement her starting place in the Black Ferns squad.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

USA Women

16:00

11 Apr 26

New Zealand Women

All Stats and Data