The Black Ferns clinched the 2026 Pacific Four Series title and retained the O’Reilly Cup with a dominant 40–5 victory over Australia in wet conditions on the Sunshine Coast, with Ayesha Leti-I’iga scoring twice in a historic ANZAC Day clash.

Key moments

4 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: The Black Ferns strike inside the opening minutes after sustained pressure. Ruahei Demant plugs the corner, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u secures the lineout, and the maul drives forward before Sylvia Brunt sends Amy du Plessis through a massive gap to score under the posts. Renee Holmes converts. (Australia 0–7 New Zealand)

15 mins – TRY RULED OUT NEW ZEALAND: Kaipo Olsen-Baker crashes over from close range after a strong scrum, but the TMO spots a forward pass from Demant in the build-up. Australia scrum inside their 22.

23 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: The Wallaroos catch New Zealand napping with a quick-thinking lineout play. After Olsen-Baker concedes a penalty and is marched 10m for throwing the ball away, Australia drive instantly from the front of the lineout before Siokapesi Palu peels away and dives over in the corner. Samantha Wood misses the conversion. (Australia 5–7 New Zealand)

26 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: The Black Ferns waste no time responding. Demant sums it up beautifully, stabbing a perfectly weighted grubber to the left corner where Ayesha Leti-I’iga leads the race, getting a room-service bounce to dive over. Holmes converts. (Australia 5–14 New Zealand)

28 mins – 50-22 NEW ZEALAND: Maia Joseph sends a banger of a kick off the scrum that finds touch 10m out on the bounce, setting up another attacking platform.

36 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Leti-I’iga has her second after a brilliant counterattack. Maya Stewart knocks on for Australia, Wood kicks high but Holmes counters down the left, linking with du Plessis who draws the final defender before releasing Leti-I’iga to stroll over. Holmes converts. (Australia 5–21 New Zealand)

Half-time: Australia 5–21 New Zealand. New Zealand headed into the sheds with a 16-point lead after showing flashes of real class. They struck early through du Plessis and responded to Australia’s only try with ruthless efficiency. The Wallaroos found their moment through Palu’s try, but handling errors in the wet conditions cost them further opportunities.

42 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: The Black Ferns extend their lead immediately after the restart. After 11 phases of non-stop attack, Joseph holds the ball at the base before releasing late to Demant, who hits Brunt on a hard unders line. Olsen-Baker carries next before Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu crashes over from a short ball. Holmes converts. (Australia 5–28 New Zealand)

55 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Justine McGregor scores her first Test try after relentless pressure inside the 22. Demant crashes forward in midfield before Olsen-Baker goes close, with slick hands from Holmes sending McGregor over untouched in the corner. Holmes misses the conversion. (Australia 5–33 New Zealand)

62 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Laura Bayfield completes the rout after a brilliant counterattack. McGregor makes a stunning run from deep, beating multiple defenders before linking with du Plessis and Holmes. The overlap sends Bayfield over to score. Holmes converts. (Australia 5–40 New Zealand)

Full-time: Australia 5–40 New Zealand

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Australia: 15 Waiaria Ellis, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Sidney Taylor, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Faitala Moleka, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Siokapesi Palu (c), 7 Lily Bone, 6 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Tiarah Minns, 4 Michaela Leonard, 3 Eva Karpani, 2 Tania Naden, 1 Brianna Hoy.
Replacements: Brittany Merlo, Martha Fua, Bridie O’Gorman, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Piper Simons, Ava Wereta, Nicole Ledington.

New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Justine McGregor, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Ruahei Demant (c), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (c), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Laura Bayfield, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Mo’omo’oga Palu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddi Robinson, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Mia Anderson, Tara Turner, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul.

Match details

Australia 5 (Tries: Palu; Conversions: Wood 0/1)
New Zealand 40 (Tries: du Plessis, Leti-I’iga 2, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, McGregor, Bayfield; Conversions: Holmes 5/6)
Half-time: 5–21

Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Queensland
Attendance: 5,508
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)

Hope Rogers scored twice as the USA powered to a commanding 33–12 victory over Australia in Kansas City, with the match delayed over two hours due to severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings.

Key moments

12 mins – TRY USA: The Eagles opened the scoring after sustained forward pressure, with Hope Rogers powering over from close range following a dominant maul and several strong carries from Erica Jarrell-Searcy. Bella Vogel converts. (USA 7–0 Australia)

16 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Maya Stewart sin-binned after a string of penalties against the Wallaroos, with the USA camped inside the 22.

20 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Siokapesi Palu responds immediately, breaking through tackles and powering over from close range after Samantha Wood’s brilliant 50-22 kick turned the momentum. Wood converts. (USA 7–7 Australia)

29 mins – TRY USA: Georgie Perris-Redding dots down after initially being denied for a knock-on. The TMO intervenes to confirm the flanker had just held on as she stretched out under sustained pressure near the line. Vogel converts. (USA 14–7 Australia)

32 mins – TRY RULED OUT AUSTRALIA: Tania Naden crosses from the back of the maul, but the TMO spots a clear knock-on in the build-up. USA scrum 5m out.

Half-time: USA 14–7 Australia. The USA headed into the sheds with plenty to like after a strong opening half built on forward dominance and territorial pressure. Freda Tafuna and Jarrell-Searcy consistently got over the gainline. Australia showed resilience through Palu’s powerful try, but handling errors and breakdown turnovers halted their momentum.

50 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Desiree Miller finishes a lovely set-piece move on the left edge after the Wallaroos capitalise on a USA handling error near the line. Nicole Ledington wraps around to release Maya Stewart, who fires it wide for Miller to dive over in the corner. Wood misses the conversion. (USA 14–12 Australia)

58 mins – TRY USA: Freda Tafuna piles over from close range after the USA maul edges towards the 22 and the pack rumbles through multiple phases. Vogel converts. (USA 21–12 Australia)

65 mins – TRY RULED OUT USA: Hope Rogers powers over in trademark fashion, but the TMO spots a clear forward pass from Alev Kelter to Erica Coulibaly almost 40 metres upfield. Australia scrum on their 10m line.

69 mins – TRY USA: Rogers gets her double, spying space close to the line and touching down after Australia cough up possession twice in quick succession. Vogel converts. (USA 28–12 Australia)

75 mins – YELLOW CARD USA: Rogers shown yellow for a high shot on Palu, who departs for an HIA. Australia opt to scrum on their own 10m line.

80 mins – TRY USA: Emily Henrich seals the win, picking from the base of the ruck and barging over after sustained pressure. Kristin Bitter misses the conversion. (USA 33–12 Australia)

Full-time: USA 33–12 Australia

Full match report to follow.

Teams

USA: 15 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Katana Howard, 11 Erica Coulibaly, 10 Bella Vogel, 9 Cass Bargell, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 6 Hann Humphreys, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (c), 4 Hallie Taufoou, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers.
Replacements: Paige Stathopoulos, Reece Woods, Alivia Leatherman, Kapoina Bailey, Tessa Hann, Abigail Paton, Kristin Bitter, Telesi Uhatafe.

Australia: 15 Faitala Moleka, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Sidney Taylor, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Nicole Ledington, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Piper Duck, 7 Emily Chancellor, 6 Siokapesi Palu (c), 5 Kaitlan Leaney, 4 Tiarah Minns, 3 Eva Karpani, 2 Tania Naden, 1 Brianna Hoy.
Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Faliki Pohiva, Bridie O’Gorman, Michaela Leonard, Dillyn Blackburn, Ella Ryan, Ava Wereta, Waiaria Ellis.

Match details

USA 33 (Tries: Rogers 2, Perris-Redding, Tafuna, Henrich; Conversions: Vogel 4/4, Bitter 0/1)
Australia 12 (Tries: Palu, Miller; Conversions: Wood 1/2)
Half-time: 14–7

Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)

The Black Ferns avenged last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat with a ruthless second-half performance, overturning a 14–5 half-time deficit to crush Canada 36–14 in Kansas City.

Key moments

22 mins – TRY CANADA: Asia Hogan-Rochester finishes in the corner after sustained pressure inside the New Zealand 22. Julia Omokhuale makes strong carries before Taylor Perry fires wide to Hogan-Rochester on the right edge. Claire Gallagher converts from the sideline. (Canada 7–0 New Zealand)

27 mins – YELLOW CARD CANADA: Brittany Kassil sin-binned for a cynical penalty after New Zealand build pressure through Kaipo Olsen-Baker’s powerful carries.

29 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Kennedy Tukuafu dots down out wide after a slick backline movement. Amy du Plessis fires wide to Mererangi Paul, who dishes off to Tukuafu on the edge. Renee Holmes misses the conversion from the sideline. (Canada 7–5 New Zealand)

38 mins – 50-22 CANADA: Claire Gallagher delivers a brilliant kick that bounces into touch inside the New Zealand 22, setting up an attacking lineout.

40 mins – PENALTY TRY CANADA: Canada’s powerful maul drives towards the line before New Zealand collapse it illegally. Georgia Ponsonby sin-binned for her involvement. (Canada 14–5 New Zealand)

Half-time: Canada 14–5 New Zealand. Canada headed into the sheds with plenty of belief after controlling territory and physicality. Their forward pack dominated at times through the maul, while Gallagher’s kicking game kept the Black Ferns pinned back. New Zealand created opportunities but couldn’t convert early dominance into points.

53 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Mererangi Paul scores in the corner after the lineout is thrown over the top and Sylvia Brunt collects. Ruahei Demant wraps around to find du Plessis, who fires wide to Paul. Holmes misses the conversion. (Canada 14–10 New Zealand)

61 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Kaipo Olsen-Baker powers over after a TMO review confirms she managed to ground the ball on a blade of grass over the line. The Black Ferns’ maul sets the platform before multiple close-range carries. Holmes converts. (Canada 14–17 New Zealand)

64 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Maama Vaipulu breaks clear after Tara Turner pops up a low pass that Vaipulu toes forward, scoops up, and races away to score under the posts. Holmes converts. (Canada 14–24 New Zealand)

74 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Amy du Plessis intercepts a wide pass right on the tryline and simply places the ball down. Holmes converts. (Canada 14–31 New Zealand)

76 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Kaipo Olsen-Baker completes her double with another intercept, picking off a pass near halfway and sprinting 50 metres untouched. Holmes misses the conversion. (Canada 14–36 New Zealand)

Full-time: Canada 14–36 New Zealand

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Canada: 15 Claire Gallagher, 14 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12 Alexandra Tessier (c), 11 Aurora Bowie, 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier, 8 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Julia Omokhuale, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 5 Sophie de Goede, 4 Laetitia Royer, 3 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 1 DaLeaka Menin.
Replacements: Kiki Idowu, Lizzie Gibson, Pamphinette Buisa, Rachel Smith, Chloe Daniels, Corinne Frechette, Maya Montiel, Cassandra Tuffnail.

New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Ruahei Demant (c), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (c), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Laura Bayfield, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: Maddi Robinson, Mia Anderson, Vici-Rose Green, Tanya Kalounivale, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor, Hannah King.

Match details

Canada 14 (Tries: Hogan-Rochester, Penalty try; Conversions: Gallagher 1/1)
New Zealand 36 (Tries: Tukuafu, Paul, Olsen-Baker 2, Vaipulu, du Plessis; Conversions: Holmes 4/6)
Half-time: 14–5

Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)