The Red Roses returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion as Zoe Harrison’s last-minute try secured a 26-19 victory over New Zealand at Allianz Stadium.
The result extended England’s remarkable unbeaten run to 41 Tests, with the Red Roses once again finding a way to win despite being pushed hard by the Black Ferns.
The Black Ferns dominated large parts of the first half, stopping England from building any real attacking momentum. However, the game changed after the break before Harrison produced the decisive moment.
New Zealand thought they had struck first through Ayesha Leti-I'iga. However, the try was chalked off after a TMO review showed the winger had failed to release the ball in the tackle before getting back to her feet.
England entered the New Zealand 22 for the first time around the 10-minute mark. After two minutes of pressure, they got their reward.
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald crossed in the corner after a delayed pass from Ellie Kildunne before Harrison added the conversion.
The Black Ferns finally got their first try after 25 minutes. Amy du Plessis won the race to her own kick ahead to get New Zealand on the scoreboard.
Leti-I'iga then got the try she had been denied earlier, finishing Hannah King's break in the 31st minute.
After a tough opening 40 minutes, England retook the lead just four minutes after the restart. Kildunne found her way through the Black Ferns defence to score.
The full match details are available via World Rugby, while the Black Ferns remain one of England’s biggest rivals on the international stage.
At the 52-minute mark, New Zealand went down to 14 players when hooker Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Marlie Packer.
England quickly took advantage, with Jess Breach finishing from a dominant scrum.
New Zealand were far from finished. Mererangi Paul crossed before Braxton Sorensen-McGee converted to level the scores at 19-19.
Then came the drama.
Harrison had the chance to win it with a late penalty, but her effort fell short.
Moments later, the fly-half intercepted a loose New Zealand pass and raced clear to score the winning try. She then added the conversion to seal a memorable 26-19 victory.
England 26
Tries: Moloney-MacDonald (12'), Kildunne (44'), Breach (53'), Harrison (80')
Conversions: Harrison (13', 45', 81')
Starting XV: 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Bryony Field, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati, 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Helena Rowland, 13 Megan Jones (c), 14 Jess Breach, 15 Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: 16 May Campbell, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Abi Burton, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Tatyana Heard, 23 Emma Sing
New Zealand 19
Tries: Du Plessis (25'), Leti-I'iga (31'), Paul (69')
Conversions: Sorensen-McGee (31', 70')
Starting XV: 1 Chryss Viliko, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (c), 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5 Laura Bayfield, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9 Maia Joseph, 10 Hannah King, 11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 12 Amy Du Plessis, 13 Logo-I-Pulotu Brunt, 14 Mererangi Paul, 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Alena Saili
Red Roses Player Ratings
1. Mackenzie Carson (off 52') – 5
A solid performance from the Canadian-born loosehead. Carson put in a shift defensively and also performed well at scrum time.
2. Bryony Field – 6
The Saracens hooker, earning her third cap and second Red Roses start, played the full 80 minutes. She performed well in the scrum and at the lineout.
3. Sarah Bern (off 52') – 6
Bern put in an absolute shift. The Bristol Bears prop worked hard defensively and produced some strong tackles and carries.
4. Morwenna Talling – 5
A decent game from Talling. She did some good work at the set-piece and lineout while also producing a solid defensive performance.
5. Lilli Ives Campion – 6
Another strong performance from the Loughborough Lightning lock. She once again showed her quality at the lineout.
6. Alex Matthews – 6
The double World Cup winner produced a strong defensive performance and played a key role at the lineout and set-piece.
7. Marlie Packer (off 52') – 6
A late change saw Packer move from the bench into the starting XV in place of the injured Sadia Kabeya.
The Harlequins flanker brought plenty of experience and was strong defensively before being forced off following the tackle from Mahutariki-Fakalelu.
8. Maddie Feaunati – 9
After being disappointed with her execution against Australia and starting on the bench against Canada, Feaunati regained the number eight jersey.
She certainly made the most of it.
It was a Player of the Match-worthy performance from the back-rower, who is also eligible to represent New Zealand. She showed world-class handling and tackling while playing a huge role in England’s defensive effort.
It continued an excellent year for Feaunati, who has also impressed throughout England’s Women’s Six Nations campaign.
9. Lucy Packer (off 65') – 6
The scrum-half had a solid game and kept England’s ball moving quickly.
She also linked well with the rest of the backline to create some dangerous attacking moments.
10. Zoe Harrison – 8
Redemption!
After a decent game, Harrison endured a whirlwind final few minutes.
She missed a potentially match-winning penalty before producing the biggest moment of the afternoon, intercepting a loose pass and racing clear for the winning try.
Quite a way to respond.
Harrison was also one of England’s standout performers during the Six Nations, earning a place in RUCK’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations Team of the Tournament.
11. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald – 8
Another impressive outing for the Exeter Chiefs winger.
Moloney-MacDonald has gone from strength to strength on the international stage and this game was no different.
She added another try to her Red Roses tally while producing some excellent runs and line breaks.
12. Helena Rowland – 6
A decent game from Rowland.
She produced some strong runs and played a key role in several England attacks. However, some huge performances around her meant she was slightly overshadowed.
13. Megan Jones (c) – 7
The England captain had a strong game.
Jones produced some magic touches in attack alongside several impressive tackles and carries.
She also played a key role as England shifted the momentum and eventually secured victory.
14. Jess Breach – 8
Another good game from the Saracens winger.
Breach produced some dangerous runs, line breaks and offloads. She also got herself on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute as England took control after the break.
15. Ellie Kildunne – 8
The Red Roses superstar produced another strong performance, making several dangerous line breaks, runs and offloads.
Her try shortly after half-time proved to be a major turning point as England retook the lead and began to wrestle momentum away from the Black Ferns.
It has already been a year of change for Kildunne, who confirmed a new club after leaving Harlequins.
