The victory marks one of Ireland's most significant wins in women's rugby history, especially considering the Black Ferns' dominance on the global stage. After their third-placed finish in this year's Guinness Women's Six Nations, the team are on a distinct upward curve.
New Zealand opened the scoring on nine minutes as hooker Atlanta Lolohea touched down at the back of a driving maul. But Ireland replied quickly as flanker Aoife Wafer - who featured in the 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations Team of the Championship - barged her way over the line from close range.
A Renee Holmes penalty extended New Zealand's lead to 10-5, before Wafer grabbed her second score, peeling away from the base of an attacking scrum to burrow over. O'Brien put Ireland in front with the conversion and their advantage became a seven-point one when hooker Neve Jones was awarded a try after referee Sara Cox consulted with TMO Ian Tempest.
O'Brien was off-target with the subsequent conversion and New Zealand were on level terms by half-time when wing Katelyn Vahaakolo supplied the finish and Holmes kicked her second conversion. Midway through the second half a Holmes penalty edged her side in front while Niamh O'Dowd was in the sin-bin, but Ireland replied with the next points when they were restored to their full complement of 15 players.
More good work from Wafer helped King go over for her first score, before Mererangi Paul stretched to touch down and put New Zealand ahead again. With time almost up on the clock, however, King rumbled over from close range again to level at 27-27. O'Brien kept her composure to deliver the winning additional two points from the tee.
Irish head coach Scott Bemand praised his team, calling it a landmark moment for Irish women's rugby. This victory sets a strong tone for Ireland in the WXV competition, with fixtures against Canada and the USA to come.
What is WXV?
WXV is World Rugby's new women's international competition, launched to elevate the global women’s game. It features three tiers—WXV 1, 2, and 3—based on the world rankings and regional qualification. WXV 1, in which Ireland are competing, involves the top teams from around the world, including the Guinness Women's Six Nations' top three and the leading sides from the Pacific Four Series. The competition structure allows for increased global exposure and high-stakes competition, fostering the continued growth of women’s rugby worldwide.
