The Black Ferns may have opened their World Cup with a comprehensive win over Spain, but a jittery first half has given plenty to work on as they look to defend their title.
New Zealand started their quest for a seventh World Cup with a 54-8 victory in York, charging across with eight tries and a display of the fast, attacking game they've come to be known for.
Jorja Miller of New Zealand in action. Photo: www.photosport.nz
The result was never really in doubt - it was the reigning champions taking on the world's 13th-ranked team. But flanker Jorja Miller, who scored two of those tries, still described a challenge.
"We knew how much passion [Spain] were going to bring," Miller said. "We just needed to match that passion.
"You know, it [was] a bit ugly at times, but we got the win and now we need to bring it to Japan."
While the scoreboard may have been convincing in the end, there are plenty of areas to refine as the Black Ferns move deeper into the tournament.
The first half, especially, got off to a sloppy start. There were chances missed and passes lost. Troubles at the ruck and lapses of discipline crept in. In all, New Zealand gave away 21 turnovers to 19 and nine penalties to two.
By halftime they only led 21-3, as the Spanish produced a display that belied their world ranking.
"There's definitely things that we can work on," Sae said. "You know it's not a perfect game of rugby, but we aspire to play a perfect game of rugby."
Amy du Plessis of New Zealand is tackled. Black Ferns v Spain, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Photo: www.photosport.nz
But it was a different story in the second half, when the Black Ferns notched it up a gear and, for a while, it was try after try as they displayed the attacking flair they're famous for.
A particularly loud cheer was reserved for one of the game's greats, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, when she came off the bench 50 minutes in. She charged across the try line only a few minutes later.
But the big win has come at a cost, with one of the team's star playmakers, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, in doubt for the rest of the tournament after she was stretchered off midway through the second-half with a devastating leg injury.
Kalpo Olsen-Baker of New Zealand leaves the pitch with a badly injured leg. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Olsen-Baker's condition and what that means for the remainder of the tournament is, so far, unknown.
"I got a little bit teary seeing a sister go down and you don't know what's gonna happen," said Sae. "Thinking of her and whatever comes next."
By then, head coach Allan Bunting had already used all of his replacements, leaving the Black Ferns with only 13 on the field when Ayesha Leti-I'iga also left due to injury.
After the game, Bunting was seeing a silver lining.
"We're going to get some cards in this tournament," he said. "A bit of work around playing with 14 and 13, it was a pretty good opportunity for us to play with players down.
"I thought our ladies showed some real good character through that. They were really clinical and we're really impressed."
Sport loves an underdog story. And on Monday, that was very much Spain. The stadium was awash with red and yellow. The chant of "Espana" and "Lionas" never letting up until the final minute.
Spanish Rugby Fans. Women's Rugby World Cup, York 2025. Photo: Jamie Tahana / RNZ
Spanish fans at the Women's Rugby World Cup. Photo: Jamie Tahana
It was when the game went into extra time that Spain's Ines Antolinez bundled across the line for Spain's first-ever try against New Zealand. The nearly-sold-out stadium was rapturous.
Despite the loss, scrum half Anne Fernández de Corres said they're still proud of their effort.
"Nobody knows us. They're going to know us now," she said. "So that's what we think and what we talk about. We're going to show the world stage what we're capable of doing."
"I think that's a power for us."
The family of Black Ferns #6 Layla Sae, including grandparents Bruce and Yvonne Black. Women's Rugby World Cup, York 2025 Photo: Jamie Tahana / RNZ
New Zealand's campaign now heads south to Exeter, where they'll play Japan early next Monday.
Watching them will be Layla Sae's grandparents, Brian and Yvonne Black, who were also here in York.
"It's going to be a tough battle," said Brian. "England are favourites in my view, but we're here to support New Zealand and we want the best out of them."
"They won it in New Zealand and no one expected them to win it in New Zealand," said Yvonne. "So who knows? It's not 'til that final whistle blows."
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