Black Ferns v Australia: Stats, How to Watch & History

There’s a number that stands out in women’s rugby: 29. That’s the number of times the Black Ferns have faced Australia, and 29 times they’ve won – for anyone following the trans-Tasman rivalry, that dominance is the starting point for understanding the match-up. Whether you’re planning to watch the next clash or just catching up on the history, this guide covers kick-off times, TV channels, the latest result, and what’s next for both teams.

All-time matches played: 29 ·
Black Ferns wins: 29 ·
Wallaroos wins: 0 ·
Latest result (April 2025): Black Ferns 40-5 Wallaroos ·
World ranking (Black Ferns): 2 ·
World ranking (Wallaroos): 9

Seven key facts, one pattern: the Black Ferns have never lost to Australia, and the margin keeps growing.

The gap extends beyond scores: comparing the two sides across key metrics shows the scale of dominance.

What this means: the Wallaroos face a statistical mountain that no other opponent has managed to scale.

What time is NZ v Australia kick off?

Kick-off times for Black Ferns v Australia matches depend on the venue and time zone. New Zealand is typically 2 hours ahead of Australia’s east coast, so a 7pm NZ kick-off is 5pm AEST.

Upcoming match kick-off times

The next scheduled Black Ferns v Australia match is on 13 August 2026, according to the All Blacks official fixtures page. Exact kick-off time has not been announced yet – check the official site closer to the date.

Time zone conversions for Australia and New Zealand

• New Zealand Standard Time (NZST): UTC+12
• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): UTC+10
• Difference: NZ is 2 hours ahead of AEST

For example, a 7:00pm NZST kick-off is 5:00pm AEST, 4:30pm ACST, and 3:00pm AWST.

The implication: anyone setting an alarm for the 2026 match needs to account for this gap before the official time lands.

What TV channel is Australia v New Zealand on?

Broadcast rights for Black Ferns matches are held by Sky Sport in New Zealand and Stan Sport in Australia, with additional streaming options available.

TV broadcasters in Australia

• Stan Sport – the official streaming home of Wallaroos matches, including the Pacific Four Series (Sporting News AU – Stan Sport coverage)
• Nine Network – may broadcast select matches (check local guides)

TV broadcasters in New Zealand

• Sky Sport NZ – all Black Ferns matches in 2026 will be available on Sky Sport (All Blacks official viewing guide)
• Sky Sport Now – streaming service for New Zealand viewers (Flicks NZ – Sky Sport Now listing)

Additional streaming: The 2025 match was also available free on FloRugby’s YouTube channel (FloRugby – free livestream).

The pattern: broadcast access is split along the Tasman, with no single free-to-air option for both countries.

Who won the women’s rugby between Australia and New Zealand?

The answer is always the same: New Zealand’s Black Ferns have never lost to Australia. But the scorelines vary.

Latest match result: Black Ferns 40-5 Wallaroos (April 2025)

In the most recent meeting, the Black Ferns beat the Wallaroos 40-5 at Sunshine Coast Stadium in the Pacific Four Series. The crowd of 5,508 watched the home side take a 21-5 halftime lead before pulling away (Rugby Australia – match report).

Historical record: New Zealand has won all 29 meetings

According to Wikipedia – historical record, the Black Ferns have won every test match against Australia since their first meeting in 1994. The total points difference is lopsided: New Zealand has scored 1,274 points to Australia’s 186.

The catch: Australia’s improvement in margin does not yet translate to a victory, making the 30th meeting a psychological milestone.

Black Ferns schedule and results

Here’s a look at the recent and upcoming fixtures for the Black Ferns against Australia.

Upcoming fixtures

• 13 August 2026 – Next scheduled match (venue TBC, per All Blacks official site)
• 2026 Pacific Four Series – additional matches expected

Recent results

• April 2025 – Black Ferns 40-5 Wallaroos (Pacific Four Series)
• July 2025 – Black Ferns 37-12 Wallaroos (Wellington) (RNZ – match report)
• 2024 – Black Ferns 38-12 Wallaroos (FloRugby – Pacific Four opener)

Key tournaments

The Black Ferns and Wallaroos regularly meet in the Laurie O’Reilly Cup (inaugurated 2008) and the Pacific Four Series, which also includes Canada and the USA. The Laurie O’Reilly Cup is the dedicated trans-Tasman trophy.

The consequence: if the Wallaroos are to break the streak, the 2026 match is the next realistic opportunity.

Black Ferns players and squad

The current Black Ferns squad includes a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talent. While the full squad for the next match hasn’t been announced, here are some key players to watch.

Current Black Ferns players

• Portia Woodman – winger, all-time leading try-scorer for the Black Ferns
• Ruahei Demant – fly-half and captain, known for playmaking
• Marcelle Parkes – lock, a key figure in the set piece

For the latest squad list, visit the All Blacks official Black Ferns team page.

Players who scored in the latest match

In the 40-5 win over the Wallaroos, tries were scored by Woodman, Demant, and others, with the full try-scorers list available in the NZ Herald match report.

The implication: the squad depth, especially in the backline, is what keeps the Black Ferns ahead of the Wallaroos.

Timeline

• 1994 – First women’s test between Australia and New Zealand; Black Ferns win
• 2008 – Laurie O’Reilly Cup inaugurated, contested between the two sides
• April 2025 – Black Ferns defeat Wallaroos 40-5 in Pacific Four Series
• 13 August 2026 – Next scheduled fixture (per allblacks.com)

The pattern: each decade has seen the Black Ferns extend their dominance, with the 2020s showing the widest score gaps.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Black Ferns have won all 29 matches against Australia (Wikipedia – historical record)
• Latest result: Black Ferns 40-5 Wallaroos (NZ Herald – match report)
• World ranking: Black Ferns #2, Wallaroos #9 (RugbyPass – women’s rankings)
• Next fixture scheduled for 13 Aug 2026 (allblacks.com)

What’s unclear

• Exact kick-off time for the 2026 match is not yet announced
• Broadcaster details for 2026 match not confirmed
• Tickets not yet on sale for 2026 match

Quotes from the rivalry

“The Black Ferns have won every match between the two teams since the first test in 1994.”

Wikipedia – historical summary

“New Zealand’s women’s rugby team dominated from the start, scoring 40 points to Australia’s 5 in the Pacific Four Series clash.”

NZ Herald – match report

The Black Ferns’ 29-match unbeaten streak against Australia demonstrates their sustained excellence in women’s rugby. For the Wallaroos, the challenge is clear: find a way to break the pattern, or watch the gap widen. With the next fixture set for 13 August 2026, Australian rugby has another chance to rewrite history. For New Zealand, the goal is to keep the streak alive – and extend it to 30.

Related reading: **Super Rugby Playoffs 2025** · **NZ vs West Indies Cricket 2025/26**

The Black Ferns’ dominant 29-match winning streak against Australia was further cemented by the 67-19 victory that extended the streak to 30 in May 2024.

Frequently asked questions