New Zealand’s Black Ferns Women’s side have reached a historic milestone, in securing their 100th test match victory. The centurion triumph came yesterday in the 2023 Pacific Four Series win over Canada.
The 2021 Rugby World Cup winners put in a stunning performance to mark the occasion, as they recorded a 52-21 victory in the Canadian capital of Ottawa. The Black Ferns scored eight tries, with a second half landslide taking the match out of reach for the hosts.
It took the Black Ferns just 117 matches in 32 years to reach the 100 win mark, becoming the fastest Tier One team in history to do so. They take the record away from England’s Red Roses, who took 119 matches to reach the century of success.
The Black Ferns first official Test win was against Wales, with a 24-6 triumph setting the mark in 1991, in Llanharen. Canterbury Policewomen Helen Mahon-Stroud is named with the honour of scoring the Black Ferns’ first try. The Black Ferns longest winning streak is 24 matches, from 2002 to 2009.
The Black Ferns biggest Test win is 134-6 against Germany at the 1998 World Cup, with an insane 22 tries. The record for most tries in a Black Ferns Test by an individual is nine by Vanessa Coutts, in a 109-0 win against France in 1996.
The Black Ferns have now built their current winning streak to 14 matches, and began the triumph over Canada in style. Hooker Luka Connor touched down after just two minutes to gift New Zealand an idyllic start, before World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2022 Ruahei Demant ran roughshod through the Canadian defence for New Zealand’s second try.
A 21-0 lead was then established by winger Mererangi Paul, who finished off a well worked team move for the Black Ferns’ third score. However, the momentum would shift in favour of Canada before the half-time break, as Captain Sophie de Goede took a quick tap penalty, and charged through four defenders to score from close range. Back rower Fabiola Forteza then narrowed the gap before half-time, as she grounded a 40m driving maul for Canada’s second try.
The second half began with the two sides trading scores, with Amy Du Plessis securing New Zealand’s fourth for the bonus point, and Canada prop Olivia DeMerchant picked from close range for the hosts’ third try. Mererangi Paul then grabbed her brace as she extended the Black Ferns lead, before tries from Renee Holmes, Du Plessis and replacement winger Kelsey Teneti secured the 52-21 New Zealand win.
The Black Ferns remain on top of the 2023 Pacific Four Series, after their phenomenal 50-0 win over the Wallabies to kick-start their campaign. The reigning world champions have their sights set on the upcoming WXV competition, that is set to commence on their home soil this October.
England, France and Wales have already qualified for WXV1, following their first, second and third placed rankings in the 2023 Women’s Six Nations. The trio will be joined by the top three finishers of the Pacific Four Series, with New Zealand, Canada and Australia currently set to qualify. If things remain as they are, fourth placed United States will drop down into WXV2.
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Simon said: “We’re just trying to be innovative. It’s an incredible group of women and we’re just trying to build each week. We knew Canada was going to be a class outfit, especially with a record crowd which is not only incredible for Canadian rugby but women’s rugby as well.”
Black Ferns Test Wins by opposition: (Credit: All Blacks.com)
Australia – 24/24
England – 19/30
Canada – 17/17
USA – 12/13
Wales – 6/6
France – 6/10
Scotland 4/4
Samoa 2/2
Germany 2/2
World XV 2/2*
South Africa 1/1
Spain 1/1
Hong Kong 1/1
Japan 1/1
Kazakhstan 1/1
Ireland 1/2
* World Rugby disputes the status of the two wins against the World XV in 2003 being counted as internationals but they are officially acknowledged as Test caps by New Zealand Rugby.