NEW ZEALAND have featured in every World Cup Final that has been played since a women’s competition was launched in 2000, and currently have a 50 percent win record.
Having won the first three tournaments in 2000, 2003 and 2008, their early dominance has been overtaken by Australia, who have claimed the last three – including 2017’s 54-4 victory at Old Trafford in Manchester.
That shift in power will be something they will be keen to see swing back into their favour this time round.
While the Jillaroos will be favourites going into the tournament, New Zealand won’t be far behind them, and if the do meet in the final once again as many expect, it should be a great contest.
But the Ferns will have to find a way to break down an Aussie defence that has limited the Kiwis to just 16 points across their last four Pacific Championship meetings.
KEY PLAYERS
FOLLOWING the removal of the international tiering system for women’s teams Shannon Mato switched allegiance from Australia to New Zealand and that could prove to be a real coup for the Ferns.
She featured in the pack as Australia won the last tournament with a 54-4 win over New Zealand in England, so knows what it takes to be successful on the world stage.
Former Golden Boot winner Georgia Hale will continue to lead from the front in the same way as she has during the last two World Cups, While Tenika Willison is another proven champion after being a member of the back-to-back Olympic gold-medal winning rugby seven sides of 2021 and 2024.
COACH
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS’ NRLW coach Ricky Henry will lead the Kiwi Ferns in a second World Cup having taken charge in 2020. He masterminded the 12-6 Pacific Cup win over Australia in 2023 – their first win over the Jillaroos since 2016 – and will be looking to repeat that feat if and when the two nations meet again.
SQUAD
Brooke Anderson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kaiyah Atai (New Zealand Warriors), Annessa Biddle (Cronulla Sharks), Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos), Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans), Mele Hufanga (New Zealand Warriors), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla Sharks), Ivana Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors), Shannon Mato (Brisbane Broncos), Raecene McGregor (Wests Tigers), Shaniece Monschau (Wests Tigers), Apii Nicholls (New Zealand Warriors), Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury Bulldogs), Abigail Roache (North Queensland Cowboys), Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Trinity Tauaneai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury Bulldogs), Zahara Temara (Canberra Raiders), Leianne Tufuga (Canberra Raiders), Stacey Waaka (New Zealand Warriors), Tenika Willison (Newcastle Knights).
