WXV Global Report | New Zealand 81 - 12 France

Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a scored a second-half quadruple, while Maia Joseph, Amy du Plessis, and Ayesha Leti-I’iga weighed in with doubles as New Zealand put on a commanding performance against an inexperienced France side.

Flanker Joseph got her double within eight minutes of the kick-off as the Black Ferns raced into an early lead at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium. 

Les Bleues, with more than half the matchday 23 boasting five caps or fewer, showed plenty of patience when they did get hands on the ball, but were unable to make inroads due to the home side’s organised defence. 

Leti-I'iga’s first came before the end of the first quarter; Du Plessis touched down five minutes later, and scored her second with the clock still yet to pass 30 minutes. Kaipo Olsen-Baker and co-captain Georgia Ponsonby added their names to the scoresheet before the break to cap a dominant opening spell.

Leti-I'iga got her second two minutes after the restart. Tuliau-Tua’a then barrelled through French defenders for her first after a fine pass from Du Plessis. Her second came in the 53rd minute via an interception.

France finally got themselves on the scoreboard just before the hour, Léa Murie dotting down after collecting a crossfield kick. Their effort in the face of Black Ferns’ pace, precision and power deserved some reward.

But normal service was quickly resumed as Ruahei Demant came off the bench to score in the 65th minute, and Tuliau-Tua’a completed her hat-trick four minutes later, then added her fourth barely two minutes after that.

France, however, had the final word to end a difficult day on a positive note. Replacement prop Amalia Bazola-Allières finished off a patient spell with her first international try after Les Bleues had worked their way up the field from deep in their own half.