Black Ferns clinch Bronze in London beating France 42-26
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u of New Zealand breaks away from Madoussou Fall Raclot of France during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Bronze Final
©Photo by George Wood - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
New Zealand 42-26 France, Allianz Stadium
New Zealand finished their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign on a high, defeating France 42–26 in the bronze medal match at Allianz Stadium.
The Black Ferns stormed into a commanding first-half lead through tries from Ruahei Demant, Sylvia Brunt, Renee Holmes, and Laura Bayfield, before holding off a spirited French fightback led by Léa Champon, Gaby Vernier, and Émilie Boulard. Renee Holmes added 17 points with the boot in a decisive display.
France started brightly and were rewarded in the 10th minute when scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Votre sliced through New Zealand’s defence to score the opening try. Carla Arbez converted to give Les Bleues a 7–0 advantage.
New Zealand hit back almost immediately. In the 14th minute, Ruahei Demant powered over the line, and Renee Holmes converted to level the scores at 7–7.
The momentum then swung firmly to the Black Ferns. Sylvia Brunt struck in the 32nd minute after neat handling, with Holmes adding the extras to push New Zealand ahead 14–7.
Holmes then turned scorer herself in the 36th minute, finishing off a sweeping move, before converting her own try for 21–7. As halftime approached, Laura Bayfield added a fourth try in the 40th minute. The conversion attempt went wide, but New Zealand went into the break comfortably ahead, 26–7.
The Black Ferns extended their lead quickly after the restart. In the 46th minute, Braxton Sorensen-McGee crashed over, though Holmes was unable to convert.
A penalty from Holmes in the 55th minute stretched the scoreline to 34–7, and Sorensen-McGee added her second try in the 60th minute, once again unconverted, as New Zealand threatened to run away with it at 39–7.
France, however, found their rhythm in the final quarter. In the 62nd minute, Léa Champon muscled over for their second try, converted by Lina Tuy.
Just four minutes later, Gaby Vernier struck to cut the margin further, with Tuy adding the extras to make it 39–21. Émilie Boulard added a third successive French try in the 72nd minute, though the conversion went astray, narrowing the score to 39–26.
As France pressed for a dramatic finish, New Zealand steadied themselves. In the 80th minute, Holmes stepped up with a penalty goal to ensure the Black Ferns closed out the contest 42–26.
