By Lucy Thomson in London
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: New Zealand Black Ferns performing the haka ahead of the match against France, 2025. Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT
The Black Ferns' reign as Rugby World Cup champions is over, with the focus now turning to the future for the New Zealand's national women's team.
The defending champions finished third at the tournament with a 42-26 win over France in the bronze medal match at Twickenham, before England beat Canada 33-13 in the final.
For a nation so accustomed to dominance, and long regarded as the benchmark of the women's game, a failed campaign in England will sting for New Zealand.
But an early exit from the title race is more than a setback - it's a signal of how rapidly the global rugby landscape is evolving and may also be the jolt they need to remain top contenders in the future.
New Zealand Black Fern's Kaipo Olsen-Baker on the attack Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT
Rivals such as England, France and Canada have invested heavily in their women's programmes in recent years - and it's paid off.
This tournament highlighted not only the importance of having a professional pathway for athletes, but the value of club and domestic competitions that provide consistent, high-intensity match experience.
While Super Rugby Aupiki has created a platform, its short season has been criticised for failing to prepare players for the demands of a global tournament.
When asked about increasing the scope for more domestic and international fixtures, Black Ferns assistant coach Tony Christie said it was something to consider.
"We go through a review after every big pinnacle event and that's something that we'll obviously look into ourselves, and New Zealand Rugby."
The newly announced WXV Global Series was also expected to lift long-term performance and drive commercial sustainability in the women's game by offering greater certainty around competitive fixtures for all nations.
New Zealand Black Fern's Braxton Sorensen-McGee celebrates try score with Renee Holmes Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT
Despite the disappointment of this campaign, Christie believed the tournament could be a springboard for further growth within the Black Ferns.
"There's massive potential in this team. I believe we had the team to win the World Cup, we just didn't put it together, and the exciting thing is that the majority of that team will be back with the chance to crack it in the next four year cycle. We're still a young team on paper and in caps."
That optimism was shared by veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who was among several players for whom the bronze medal win over France could be their last outing in the black jersey.
"Next year, who knows where that goes. Ultimately I really want to have babies at some stage and that plan is kind of on the go as well, but it's always your last match. You always play the black jersey as your last match and I'm really grateful for this opportunity."
New Zealand Black Fern's Braxton Sorensen-McGee on the attack Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland/ PHOTOSPORT
While Woodman-Wickliffe would leave a lasting legacy when she did retire again, she was confident the team was in good hands, with bright-sparks Jorja Miller and 18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee stepping up.
"The way she [Braxton Sorensen-McGee] holds herself, she's so coachable, so talented and just has the confidence and belief in herself that she can do what she needs to do out on the field. I think we're really lucky to have some amazing players."
With the next Women's Rugby World Cup set for Australia in 2029, the Black Ferns had a four-year runway to rebuild, and co-captain Ruahei Demant wanted fans to maintain their excitement for the game, during that time.
"Continue to support, continue to watch, continue to spotlight women's sport," Woodman-Wickliffe said.
"You've seen what countries can do with barely any resources, imagine how much further this game could grow if we all afforded the same opportunities, the same resourcing, the same amount of games.
"That's what I would love to see, so that the girls coming through the next cycle have a more level playing field and it's more exciting and more entertaining."
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