Black Ferns Open World Cup with Dominant Win Over Spain

The Black Ferns began their Women’s Rugby World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion, powering past Spain 54–8 in York. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe stole the headlines with her 21st World Cup try, extending her record as the tournament’s all-time leading try-scorer.

New Zealand’s depth and attacking flair shone through, with standout performances from Jorja Miller, who bagged two tries, as well as Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Georgia Ponsonby, and Theresa Setefano. Despite early injuries to Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Leti-I’iga, the Black Ferns grew stronger as the match progressed, showcasing their championship pedigree.

Spain battled bravely, refusing to fold under pressure and earning a well-deserved try late in the contest through Inés Antolinez Fernandez. While the scoreline highlighted New Zealand’s dominance, the match also provided a reminder of the growing competitiveness in the women’s game. For the Black Ferns, the challenge now shifts to maintaining momentum and managing player fitness ahead of their next Pool C clash against Japan.