Debutants make an impact
Elinor Plum-King delivered a hat-trick in her debut for the Black Ferns, contributing to a 62-19 victory over a Black Ferns XV. The flanker’s performance was a highlight in a match that saw several new players make their mark. This fixture serves as preparation for the Black Ferns‘ upcoming seven test matches scheduled to conclude the season.
The match, an exhibition held in Upper Hutt, showcased the talent of debutants like Plum-King, Amarante Sititi, and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a. Their inclusions in the top squad were validated through their contributions, with Plum-King‘s three tries standing out in the high-scoring encounter.
The Black Ferns opened the scoring early, with Mererangi Paul touching down in the right corner after just four minutes. However, the Black Ferns XV quickly responded five minutes later, as fullback Presayus Singh broke through the defence to score under the posts. Arene Landon-Lane converted, giving the Ferns XV a temporary lead.
The lead for the Black Ferns XV was short-lived. Ayesha Leti-I’iga scored after receiving an inside pass from Ruahei Demant. The back-and-forth scoring continued, with Leata Puni-Lio regaining a two-point advantage for the Black Ferns XV after a period of sustained attack.
Plum-King’s scoring spree
Plum-King put the Black Ferns back in front with her first try. She then secured her second try early in the second half following a quick tap. The momentum continued for the Black Ferns as Maia Joseph scored after a dummy at the base of the ruck. Plum-King then completed her hat-trick, with Paul providing the final pass.
Further tries came from Tara Turner, who capitalised on a charge down, and Vicki Rose-Green, who brought up the half-century mark for the Black Ferns. Despite a late consolation try for the Ferns XV by Sam Taylor, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a sealed the dominant victory for the Black Ferns.
The exhibition match also featured strong defensive plays and strategic moments. Amarante Sititi earned a breakdown penalty for the Black Ferns in the second minute, which led to an early attacking opportunity. The Black Ferns XV, despite struggling with execution from deep in their own half, showed flashes of attacking potential.
The Black Ferns‘ defence grew in confidence throughout the match, making it challenging for the Black Ferns XV to maintain their attacking momentum. An overthrown lineout was collected by Georgia Ponsonby, initiating another successful attack for the Black Ferns, which culminated in Plum-King‘s first try after receiving the ball from Mia Anderson.
Squad changes and upcoming fixtures
The Black Ferns squad for the remainder of the 2026 international season includes 31 players. Santo Taumata, a Bay of Plenty front-rower and part of the 2022 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, returns to the team. Taumata brings seven test caps to the national setup and is the sole Bay of Plenty provincial representative in the squad.
Nine changes have been made from the squad that competed in the Pacific Four Series earlier this year. These changes reflect the form and depth observed during the latest Sky Super Rugby Aupiki campaign. Five players have received their first Black Ferns call-ups: Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi, Elinor-Plum King, Maia Davis, and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a.
Experienced players such as midfielder Alena Saili also return to the squad, marking her first appearance since 2018. Loose forward Layla Sae‘s selection signifies her comeback from an ACL injury. Head coach Whitney Hansen noted that the squad balances experienced performers with emerging talent, highlighting the rising standards in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.
The Black Ferns are scheduled to assemble in Wellington before their match against the Black Ferns XV. Following this, they will travel to Auckland for an O’Reilly Cup test against Australia, then head overseas for matches against South Africa and the WXV Global Series. The team will return home in October for tests against France, continuing their preparations for the first British and Irish Lions Women’s Tour next year.
Source: 1news.co.nz
