Black Ferns Secure 31–12 Victory Over France in Whangārei historic 150th Test as Kaipo Olsen-Baker Exits with Injury

Key Points

• The Black Ferns defeated France 31–12 at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei to secure their second victory in the three-test series, marking their historic 150th Test match.
• Key loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker suffered a serious lower leg injury during the first half and had to be carried into the changing room at halftime.
• Unlike their dominant 81–12 victory over France in Hamilton, the New Zealand side faced a gritty French resistance and struggled with discipline and kicking options in the opening 40 minutes.
• Impact from the bench proved decisive, with late tries from substitute Amarante Sititi, teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee, and winger Mererangi Paul pulling the home team clear.
• France displayed a resilient defensive and tactical kicking effort to stay competitive for much of the match despite being reduced to 14 players late in the game due to injuries after running out of substitutes.

Whangārei (France News7) October 24, 2026 – Executive Summary: The New Zealand Black Ferns secured a hard-fought 31–12 victory against France in their historic 150th Test match at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei, taking a commanding lead in their three-test series. Following an 81–12 blowout in Hamilton, France delivered a stern test, keeping the match tightly poised before second-half bench impact sealed the win. The victory was marred by a severe lower leg injury to loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who was carried off at halftime.

What Happened in the Whangārei Test Between the Black Ferns and France?

As reported by sports correspondents at RugbyPass, the Black Ferns claimed a 31–12 victory over France at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei. When it was confirmed that the Black Ferns would conclude their international season with a three-test series against France, a tightly contested encounter of this nature was widely expected. After the Black Ferns dominated a relatively fresh-faced French side 81–12 in Hamilton, France responded with a significantly more physical and tactical performance.

As reported by the official New Zealand Rugby match coverage, France placed the home team under heavy pressure early in the second half through a structured kicking game, strong set-piece execution, and powerful ball-carrying. The game remained balanced until the final quarter, when New Zealand’s bench depth provided the necessary impetus to pull clear.

As noted by match reporters on the scene, starting hooker Georgia Ponsonby was forced off early in the tenth minute for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), allowing replacement Vici-Rose Green to make an immediate impact in the forward pack.

How Did Kaipo Olsen-Baker Suffer Her Injury?

As reported by RugbyPass journalists, loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker suffered another unfortunate physical setback during the first half of the match. Olsen-Baker, who has faced injury challenges throughout 2026, sustained what appeared to be a severe lower leg injury.

Unable to walk off the field under her own power at the halftime whistle, she was carried directly into the changing room by medical staff. Her departure forced positional adjustments across the back row for head coach Allan Bunting’s side.

How Did the Black Ferns Turn the Match in the Second Half?

As detailed by live match analysts from the Home of the Black Jersey, the turning point occurred midway through the second half as substitution energy took effect. Halfback Maia Joseph entered the field and quickly influenced play with a sharp cutout pass that bypassed four players to set up substitute Amarante Sititi for an untouched try on the left flank, elevating the score to 19–12.

As reported in the official match timeline, full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee produced a individual effort shortly thereafter. After fielding a French clearance kick near midfield, Sorensen-McGee beat the French fullback with footwork through the central channel to score, before converting her own try to stretch the lead to 26–12.

As recorded by field reporters, the final try came after center Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt broke down the left channel and found lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos. The ball was shifted across the backline to winger Mererangi Paul, who dived over in the right-hand corner to fix the final score at 31–12. During the closing minutes, France was reduced to 14 players after suffering an injury having already exhausted their full bench of substitutes.

Background of the Particular Development

The three-test series between New Zealand and France forms a critical component of the end-of-year international women’s rugby calendar. Historically, tests between these two nations have been among the most competitive in women’s rugby, highlighted by close encounters at World Cups and international series.

Prior to this match, the Black Ferns opened the series in Hamilton with an overwhelming 81–12 victory. That result prompted adjustments from the French coaching staff to rectify defensive vulnerabilities and set-piece inconsistency. The second test in Whangārei marked the 150th official Test match in the history of the Black Ferns program, reflecting the growth and formalisation of the women’s game in New Zealand over several decades.

Furthermore, squad depth and player welfare have become major focal points during the 2026 season. Both teams have had to manage injuries and workload distribution across an intensive international slate, leading to opportunities for younger players like Braxton Sorensen-McGee while testing the resilience of senior players returning from injury lay-offs.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Players, Coaches, and the Women’s Rugby Ecosystem

This development is likely to have direct implications for several key stakeholder groups across the sport:

• For Kaipo Olsen-Baker and the Medical Team: The immediate concern will center on the diagnosis and rehabilitation timeframe for Olsen-Baker’s lower leg injury. A prolonged recovery period could affect her availability for upcoming domestic and international commitments, forcing national selectors to assess alternative options at number eight and flanker.
• For the Black Ferns Coaching Staff: The stark contrast between the fluid 81–12 win in Hamilton and the grinding 31–12 battle in Whangārei provides valuable tactical data. Head coach Allan Bunting and his assistants will likely focus on first-half discipline, tactical kicking execution, and set-piece stability ahead of the final test of the series. The strong performance of bench players like Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph, and Braxton Sorensen-McGee will intensify competition for starting positions.
• For the French Squad: Demonstrating the ability to challenge the Black Ferns physically and tactically after a heavy opening loss will bolster squad morale. However, the physical toll—evidenced by running out of substitutes late in the match—will require careful recovery management before the third test.