3 days ago
Six of the best against the Black Ferns
To have any chance of successfully defending their Rugby World Cup title, the Black Ferns must first conquer Spain, Japan, and Ireland in Pool C.
If that happens and the form book follows pre-tournament predictions, Italy is the most likely quarter-final opponent, followed by Canada in the semifinals and England in the final.
Who are six individuals from these potential matches who could hurt the Black Ferns?
Laura Delgado of Spain at a press conference during the WXV 3 2024 in Dubai.
Laura Delgado (Spain) – The first hurdle the Black Ferns must face is Spain in York. No one will be more determined to disrupt the world champions than 'Las Leonas' prop Laura Delgado, affectionately known as Bimba (which is Spanish onomatopoeia for a huge crush or hit).
Delgado is a veteran of 50 Tests and began playing rugby at 21 after recovering from a hammer-throwing injury. She has fashioned a hugely respectable career, winning eight European Rugby Championships with Spain and two Premiership titles with Gloucester Hartpury in England. In 2022, she also played a season in the Farah Palmer Cup with Hawkes Bay. Beyond her sports career, she works in sports project management and serves as a mentor to athletes.
Spain is making its seventh appearance in the Rugby World Cup. Their record stands at 14 wins and 15 losses, with their best finish occurring in 1991 when they placed sixth. The Black Ferns faced Spain in an unofficial friendly in 1991, which ended in a 0-0 draw. In 1998, the Black Ferns won a group match against Spain 46-3 in Amsterdam, the last meeting between the two countries.
Moe Tsukui of Japan in action against Italy in September 2024 in Piacenza, Italy.
Moe Tsukui (Japan) – In 2017, Moe Tsukui became the youngest player (male or female) to represent any country at a Rugby World Cup, when, at the age of 17, she played all five matches for Japan in Ireland. The diminutive, brave, whippet-like halfback, who weighs only 53 kg, has been a regular for Japan ever since. Japan has played 89 Tests, and Tsukui has played 41. She was especially prominent for Japan in their upset 39-33 victory over the USA in Los Angeles in April.
The Black Ferns have only met Japan, who've won 46 Tests, once. In September 2022, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored seven tries in a 95-12 demolition at Eden Park.
Aoife Wafer passing in the Ireland vs England Six Nations Rugby in Cork, Ireland.
Aoife Wafer (Ireland) – Ireland will be sweating on the fitness of Aoife Wafer ahead of the Battle of Brighton on September 7, a likely decider for Pool C. Wafer played a colossal role in Ireland's surprising 29-27 victory over the Black Ferns in Vancouver in 2024, scoring two tries and pilfering several turnovers.
Although the Leinster product has only 15 Test appearances, she was named the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship before undergoing knee surgery. Wafer is known for her relentless work rate in defence and her robust, direct carries.
Ireland has won only 88 of its 213 Test matches but has managed to defeat the Black Ferns twice in four encounters. Notably, in 2014, Ireland ended the Black Ferns' 20-match unbeaten streak at the Rugby World Cup.
After failing to qualify for the 2021 Rugby World Cup, Ireland has made huge progress under head coach Scott Bemand, who previously assisted England during their world record streak of 30 consecutive international wins between 2019 and 2022.
Giordana Duca of Italy runs at Maddie Feaunati of England during the Six Nations 2025 in March.
Giordana Duca (Italy) – Italy's squad benefits from vast experience, with 11 of their players having played 50 or more times for their country, and only six having fewer than 10 caps. Lock Giordana Duca has 58 caps and had an exceptional Six Nations in 2025. She ranked in the top 10 for carries (65), tackles (74), and lineouts won (27).
Italy have never played the Black Ferns but should emerge from Pool D with victories over lower-ranked Brazil and South Africa. However, it's worth noting, South Africa has achieved 21 of their 39 all-time international victories since 2022. They recently thrashed the Black Ferns XV 41-24.
Meanwhile, Italy has won eight of its 22 Rugby World Cup matches, making the quarterfinals in 2022.
Sophie de Goede playing for Saracens in the UK Premiership against Bristol in 2024.
Sophie de Goede (Canada) – The John Eales of women's rugby? Though the loose forward or lock is recovering from a recent ACL injury, a fully fit de Goede is arguably the best player in the game. She has captained Canada in 24 of her 35 Tests and scored 235 points. When Canada beat the Black Ferns for the first time in 17 internationals in Christchurch in 2024, she topped the tackle count with a herculean 27.
The de Goede family is something of a dynasty in Canadian women's rugby. Her mother, Stephanie, a flanker, was the captain of the first Canadian women's team to play the USA on November 14, 1987. Just months earlier, Sophie's father, Hans de Goede, a lock, was captain of Canada at the inaugural men's World Cup in New Zealand.
Canada has only dropped five of their last 21 internationals, and in addition to a win and a draw against the Black Ferns in that span, they have also beaten France twice and recently thrashed Ireland.
Ellie Kildunne at a Red Roses training session earlier in August in Bagshot, England.
Ellie Kildunne (England) – The Red Roses are the hottest of favourites to win their third Rugby World Cup, boasting an enviable record of 57 wins in their last 58 internationals, including 27 consecutive victories. England has also achieved 42 consecutive home wins, putting them within reach of the All Blacks' world record of 47.
Kildunne, a dashing fullback known for her distinctive permed hair, could very well become the 'Poster Face' of the tournament. In her groundbreaking 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year season, she scored 14 tries in just nine Test matches. Remarkably, she has scored tries in her last five consecutive internationals against the Black Ferns, an unprecedented achievement.
England will need more than mauls to capture the public's imagination, and Kildunne is already aiming high. In an interview with ESPN Scrum on August 12, she said:
'Outside this pub, there are Chloe Kelly shirts being sold on the street. That's what the Euros have done for the Lionesses. Our opportunity with this World Cup is to have Kildunne shirts being sold on the sidewalk, allowing young girls and boys to have posters of Emily Scarratt and Meg Jones on their walls, not just Jonny Wilkinson.'
