Black Ferns 2026

A few days to go to the first game of 2026.

The weather has been very sunny and pleasant the past few weeks but rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday.

I think it slightly strange that the Black Ferns v US game is the first of the double header, hopefully the crowd sticks around for the Canada-Oz gane afterwards.

This is on Stan for those in Aus

@Bovidae Jeez, imagine the poor commentator trying to keep up describing a flowing and fast moving to side backline move that contains the NZ 2nd 5! Should she be given the Player of the Day award there would need to be an adds break immediately after announcing her as the recipient!

Severe thunderstorms have been forecast in Sacramento for the next two days, hopefully the meteorologists are a little inaccurate in their predictions.

@Higgins is that missing a return somewhere and it's actually two players.

Or an I missing the joke?

Sylvia is her English name.

@Bovidae Right so there might be options to shorten it when required, thank goodness for that. You can just imagine Nisbo having kittens having to refer to her full name during his commentary, not to mention some of the stumbles along the way trying to get it out! I suspect Ken Laban would have more success in getting it pronounced correctly so it seems right up his alley to be allocated the duties for this particular match

Rikki Swannell often says her full name in commentary. The same for Maiakawanakaulani Roos.

USA playing really playing well. A good contest.

Black Ferns with so many stupid needless offloads

Switched on about 10mins ago.

19-15 NZ.

But Yanks looking more than competitive.

Hmm. Yanks have ball on the 15 30m out and take the sook option to close the half. 19-15 NZ up still.

How/where to watch/follow this? world.rugby "match centre" has zero updates/score.

@Kruse on Stan in Aus

This is shaping up as Yanks game to lose

Black Ferns yellow card

@Kruse said in Black Ferns 2026:

How/where to watch/follow this? world.rugby "match centre" has zero updates/score.

We've got on Stan in Oz

NZ winger (Paul?) just blew two tries

Holmes eventually gets it over the line. And converts.

26-15

NZ been playing one short with LMT off for high shot (stays yellow)

Holmes balls up conversion of Paul's try (eventually gets it done) taking too long.

Flood gates opening. (Back to fullXV).

Guess I'm dependent on TSF for following this..
Regular updates please?

BFs up 38-15 with 62 minutes

BFs down to 14 players with a 10 more minutes remaining on a 20 minute red card

The first yellow card actually helped the Ferns

Forced them to play tighter and direct in attack

43-15, 63mins

Make that 45-15

Black Ferns down to 13

BFs escape a goal line stand where they copped the yellow.

7mins to go. Still 45-15. Pissing with rain.

Time basically up and taking a shot to make it 48-15.

Over, and over.

Thought the BFs played plenty of good rugby. A few times in that second half they passed it direct out the wing when they should have just kept it tight but thats to pick flaws.

The US left winger was a decent athlete, great try and I couldn't see who it was but looked like Amy DP had a try saver on her in midfield.

Better than I expected given a lot of players hadn't played since the RWC. Joseph started well but then reverted to her laboured passing. The backs looked more threatening with Turner at halfback. It was one of those games were the majority of the attack went to the right wing.

The BF scrum was really good, even with only 6 forwards.

@Kruse said in Black Ferns 2026:

How/where to watch/follow this? world.rugby "match centre" has zero updates/score.

Kruse, you're in seattle right? The game in KC on Friday is available on/via fubo I think, it looks like you could take out a free trial subscription then cancel.

@nonpartizan Cheers for that... good to know.
Yes - Seattle.
That fubo page suggests these are being shown on CBS... so next step - figure out which of my local breweries can put it on big screen for me.

@Kruse said in Black Ferns 2026:

@nonpartizan Cheers for that... good to know.
Yes - Seattle.
That fubo page suggests these are being shown on CBS... so next step - figure out which of my local breweries can put it on big screen for me.

There you go. You are making me thirsty for a beer now, lol.

The kickoff is 3:15 pm PST just so you don't get caught out by the early time.

Kalounivale should not have been red-carded.

@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2026:

Kalounivale should not have been red-carded.

View embedded content

Yeah. Thought it was harsh

@booboo said in Black Ferns 2026:

Yeah. Thought it was harsh

A dodgy Kiwi/Canadian TMO.

Same team for the Canada game.

@mikedogz said in Black Ferns 2026:

View embedded content

NZ Rugby need to change the eligibility rules or significantly expand the Aupiki season. I see no indication that they want to expand Aupiki so they need to open eligibility up to overseas based players for the BF otherwise third place at the World Cup will become the norm.

Anyway, huge test v Canada in KC. A battle hardened Canada with players playing PWR for the past six months.

@Auckman said in Black Ferns 2026:

NZ Rugby need to change the eligibility rules or significantly expand the Aupiki season. I see no indication that they want to expand Aupiki so they need to open eligibility up to overseas based players for the BF otherwise third place at the World Cup will become the norm.

Haha
Maybe the ladies will lead the way on that one.
Will be an interesting situation if NZR change the eligibility rule for the women but not the men.