The Black Ferns opened their Rugby World Cup title defence with a commanding 54-8 victory over Spain, but the celebrations were muted by injuries to two of their star players, Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Both were forced off the field, with Olsen-Baker appearing to suffer an ankle problem, and the team finished the match with just 13 players.
Despite those setbacks, New Zealand showed resilience and composure. Their defensive effort in the closing stages drew praise from teammates, with leaders stepping up to ensure the scoreboard continued to swing in their favour. Even with the numerical disadvantage, the Black Ferns dug deep and played with determination, reflecting the squad’s trademark togetherness.
The first half was not without frustration. Handling errors and miscommunication disrupted New Zealand’s rhythm, and Spain, ranked 10 places lower in the world, showed spirit by capitalising on those mistakes. At the break, the Black Ferns regrouped with a clear sense of purpose, and their second-half performance highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.
Among the brightest positives was the emergence of Jorja Miller. Making her 15s World Cup debut, the 21-year-old, already decorated in sevens, marked the occasion with two tries. Her energy and composure shone through, linking impressively with Braxton Sorensen-McGee to extend the lead before Liana Mikaele-Tu’u added another score. Mikaele-Tu’u, later named player of the match, embodied New Zealand’s power and precision.
Spain, to their credit, produced a spirited showing. Amàlia Argudo slotted a penalty in the first half, and Ines Antolinez Fernández capped their efforts with a deserved try late on. Their effort underlined the growing competitiveness of women’s rugby, even against the reigning world champions.
For the Black Ferns, veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe also continued to etch her name into the record books, scoring her 21st Rugby World Cup try after coming off the bench. Georgia Ponsonby and Teresa Setefano also crossed the line, while Leti-I’iga’s double was a reminder of her clinical finishing ability before injury struck.
The five-point win gets the champions off to the perfect start on paper, but the focus now shifts to the medical room. The availability of Leti-I’iga and Olsen-Baker could prove decisive as the tournament progresses. For now, New Zealand have momentum, but their hopes of a successful defence may depend on the fitness of two of their most influential players.
