Black Ferns shut out Ireland to top pool C as teen scores second Rugby World Cup hat-trick
Monday, 8 September 2025
At Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium: Black Ferns 40 (Stacey Waaka 15’, Chryss Viliko 20’, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 37’ 58’ 79’, Maia Joseph 80’+1 tries; Renee Holmes 5 con) Ireland 0. HT: 19-0
Injuries to starting props Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale were a concern as the Black Ferns beat Ireland 40-0 to secure top spot in pool C at the women’s Rugby World Cup in England on Sunday (Monday NZ time), with teenage outside back Braxton Sorensen-McGee scoring her second hat-trick in as many weeks.
After being put under pressure early by a team that beat them just over a year ago, the Black Ferns took control and kept Ireland out for 80 minutes with some staunch defence, while their 18-year-old prodigy starred for the second week running.
It was the first time the Black Ferns had kept an opponent scoreless in 11 tests and just the fourth time they had done so in the 38 tests they have played in the last five years.
After Sorensen-McGee completed her hat-trick in the 79th minute – to go with her one against Japan a week earlier – Maia Joseph finished a spectacular 85m move after the siren had sounded to score her first try for her country.
It was a sweet finish before their quarterfinal next Sunday midnight (NZ time) against South Africa was confirmed. The Springbok women finished second to France in pool D after losing 57-10 to Les Bleus in Northampton.
Speaking on Sky Sport after the match, centre Stacey Waaka said the Black Ferns had “100%” wanted to make a statement.
“There was lots of talk about Ireland beating us two out of the last three times so we wanted to go out there, not just to play good rugby, but to put the foot on the throttle and I think we did that.”
It was arguably the Black Ferns’ most complete performance since their World Cup win on home soil in 2022.
Ireland earned a five-metre lineout, stole the ball from a Black Ferns’ lineout at the same spot, then earned a five-metre scrum as they piled on the pressure early.
It took eight minutes for the Black Ferns to really get on the front foot, but they didn’t take long after that to get themselves on the scoreboard.
Attacking from halfway after Ireland failed to find touch from a penalty, the Black Ferns gained 10m then spread the ball right, where they had a four-on-one overlap.
Making matters worse for the Irish, those four players were Renee Holmes, Sorensen-McGee, Waaka and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
In the end, they didn’t need New Zealand’s record test try-scorer, as Waaka ran in to score her first try of the tournament.
While the Black Ferns’ first try displayed the quick passing of their backline, their second utilised brute force.
Sylvia Brunt went close initially as they attacked from a lineout on the right, before prop Viliko got her hands on the ball, bumped off her tackler, and got the ball down in the space she created as a result.
Holmes should have easily slotted the conversion, but Ireland’s runners came at her before she appeared to have moved and she wasn’t able to get a kick off, not that it ended up mattering.
Kalounivale was forced off after half an hour while Ireland lost fullback Stacey Flood when she suffered a painful ankle injury soon after.
Sorensen-McGee scored her fourth try of the tournament three minutes before halftime, as Waaka returned the favour, going on a curving run to the right that drew in the Irish defence and gave her 18-year-old team-mate plenty of space.
The teen still had to produce a sidestep as she made her way to the line, before Holmes converted from the sideline for a second time to give New Zealand a 19-0 lead at the break.
Ireland came out firing to start the second half, but lost their captain, Edel McMahon, to injury as they came up short.
The Black Ferns lost a second prop – Viliko – to injury in the 55th minute, while coach Allan Bunting made numerous other changes.
Sorensen-McGee got her second of the afternoon – and her fifth of the tournament – when Holmes found her on the right with a long pass in the 58th minute, after more good work from Waaka.
Joseph sent Sorensen-McGee in down the left for her hat-trick as the Black Ferns got the rewards their defence in the final 20 minutes deserved.
She was then at the end of a stunning move sparked by Ayesha Leti-I’iga running the ball out from inside her own 22.
Holmes finished with a five-from-six record from the tee – the only miss being the one she didn’t actually get to take.
Her in-play kicking – and the Black Ferns’ kick chase – was also on point as they turned in a dominant performance that will give them plenty of confidence heading into the knockout stages.
The big picture
The pool stages are done and each winner was expected. England, Canada, the Black Ferns and France have all advanced to the last eight unbeaten. Joining them are Australia, Scotland, Ireland and South Africa, who were all runners-up.
The quarterfinals are: New Zealand v South Africa, Canada v Australia, France v Ireland and England v Scotland.
If the Black Ferns progress, they would play the winner of Canada and Australia’s match in the semifinals.
What’s next
The Black Ferns play their quarterfinal against South Africa next Sunday (kick-off 12am NZ time).