Black Ferns XV
| Union | New Zealand Rugby |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Willie Walker |
| Captain | Holly Greenway |
| First international | |
| Black Ferns XV 38–12 Manusina XV (23 September 2023) | |
| Biggest win | |
| Black Ferns XV 38–12 Manusina XV (23 September 2023) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Black Ferns XV 12–45 New Zealand (5 July 2025) | |
| Website | allblacks.com |
The Black Ferns XV is the second women's national rugby union team of New Zealand, after the Black Ferns. Matches played by the 'Black Ferns XV' are non-test matches, usually against a touring side or lower tier rugby nation.
History
The Black Ferns XV were introduced to New Zealand Rugby’s high performance women’s pathway in 2023.[1] They played their first match against the Manusina XV at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on 23 September 2023.[2][3]
The side will be providing international rugby in a touring environment which will help accelerate the development of a wider group of players outside the Black Ferns and will build the depth of women’s rugby in New Zealand.[1]
In 2025, the side will assemble on 29 June for a trial match against the Black Ferns in Whangarei on 5 July, and it will be part of a double-header fixture at Semenoff Stadium that also features the Māori All Blacks against Scotland.[4][5] The trial match would also offer players another chance to "impress the Black Ferns coaches ahead of the Laurie O’Reilly Cup and the Rugby World Cup selection for a broader group of New Zealand’s top professional players." The matches will also be a boost for the Black Ferns in their Rugby World Cup preparations.[4][5]
Willie Walker was announced as the Black Ferns XVs Head Coach for their 2025 campaign.[6] They played the Black Ferns in Whangarei on 5 July, and will later play two matches against South Africa.[6][7]
Results
(All matches played, updated to 5 July 2025):[8]
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win% | For | Aga | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manusina XV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 38 | 12 | +26 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 45 | –33 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Summary | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 50 | 57 | –7 |
Current squad
The Black Ferns XV announced a 34-player squad for the trial match against the Black Ferns in Whangārei on 5 July, 2025.[9]
Players in bold are players capped by the senior New Zealand women's national team, the Black Ferns.
Head Coach: Willie Walker
- Laura Bayfield, Hannah King and Iritana Hohaia will play for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei before re-joining the national squad for their July series.[9]
- Emma Dermody, Kiriana Nolan, Charlotte Va'afusuaga, Danii Mafoe and Fia Laikong were not considered due to injury or unavailability.[9]
See also
- New Zealand national schoolboy rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-19 rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-20 rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team
- Maori All Blacks
- All Blacks XV
- All Blacks
- Black Ferns
References
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV to provide opportunity for emerging talent". nzrugby.co.nz. 18 August 2023.
- ^ Julian, Adam (23 September 2023). "Black Ferns XV overcome Manusina XV in the wet". allblacks.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Black Ferns subdue spirited Manusina XV". odt.co.nz. 25 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV to play two matches against the Springbok Women in South Africa". allblacks.com. 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Rugby: Black Ferns XV to face South Africa". rnz.co.nz. 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV 2025 coach and management group confirmed". NZ Rugby. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Experienced Bok Women squad named for Canada". www.springboks.rugby. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Black Ferns XV Fixtures and Results". allblacks.com. 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Springbok Women get preview as Black Ferns XV reveal squad". rugby365.com. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)