Despite not being able to defend their title of World Champion, New Zealand were able to bathe in some glory this afternoon, as they came away with a 42 - 26 victory against France this afternoon to clinch the Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze medal.
It was a closely matched line up between the world number three and four, and the score reflected as much for the first thirty minutes. France were the first to add points to the scoreboard with a try from the legendary scrum-half Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, but this was not to be indicative of how the match would pan out.
The Black Ferns were clinical in their offensive, showing a trust and team spirit that was almost palpable as they displayed terrific ball control and inspired play. Young superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee crossed the line twice in fifteen minutes, totting up her total tally of tries in this World Cup campaign to a massive eleven.
Fellow Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Jorja Miller also made an impact on the pitch as part of the Black Fern’s near impenetrable defence.
However, Les Bleues put up a fight that they can be very proud of, and the result might have been far different if they had had another ten minutes, as France put in a flurry of tries in the second half that displayed their aggressiveness and tenacity that they have relied on all tournament.
Ultimately though, the Black Ferns walked away with what they are terming their ‘rose gold medal’, before the gold and silver medals will be decided in the England vs Canada final this afternoon at a sold out Allianz Stadium.
The Sporting News is following the France vs. New Zealand match live, providing score updates and commentary.
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France vs New Zealand score
| Score | Tries (conv) | Penalties | |
| France | 26 | Bourdon-Sansus 9' (Arbez) Champon 62' (Tuy), Vernier 65' (Tuy) Boulard 71' | |
| New Zealand | 42 | Demant 13' (Holmes), Brunt 32' (Holmes), Holmes 37' (Holmes), Bayfield 40', Sorensen-McGee 46', Sorensen-McGee 59' | Holmes 55', Holmes 79' |
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (UK)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Starting XVs:
France: 15 - Boulard, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Maka, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu
New Zealand: 15 - Holmes, 14 - Sorensen-McGee, 13 - Waaka, 12 - Brunt, 11 - Woodman-Wycliffe, 10 - Demant, 9 - Pouri-Lane, 1 - Viliko, 2 - Ponsonby, 3 - Kalounivale, 4 - Roos, 5 - Bayfield, 6 -Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 - Miller, 8 - Olsen-Baker
MORE: Full schedule, bracket, results from Women's Rugby World Cup
France vs. New Zealand live updates, highlights, and commentary
12:30pm - After the national anthems, the Black Ferns get into formation to perform their traditional Haka for the last time in their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign, as their chants echoes around the Allianz stadium.
12:34 - Kick off. The fight for the bronze medal commences.
5': World number three and world number four - it was always going to be a tight match. Neither team has been able to make meaningful moves into their opponent's 22 yet.
9': Bourdon-Sansus is the name on everyone's lips for a reason! She scores France's first try effortlessly outrunning the Black Ferns defence and Arbez converts.
13': New Zealand clap back as Demant storms through to plant their first try between the posts. Holmes easily converts to make the score equal once more.
19': France chased a loose ball to be within ten metres of the New Zealand try line, but some loose hands stops any momentum in its track with a knock on.
27': After a series of offensive attempts from France, New Zealand get their chance with a powerful scrum close to the French try line, but it doesn't result in any tangible points.
29': Powerful defence from France - they're immovable in the face of the New Zealand assault.
32': The Black Ferns tenacious efforts finally pays off, as Brunt just barrels over to touch the ball over the whitewash. Holmes converts a tricky shot.
37': The trust that New Zealand have in each other is incredible, as a series of sensational passes leads to their third try as Holmes scores and converts, widening their lead to 21 - 7 as half time approaches.
40': And again! The Black Ferns are on a roll as Miller storms down before offloading Bayfield to for their third try in ten minutes. Holmes' kick hits the post and bounces out.
42': Over half time, Maka has been replaced with Morland for Les Bleues.
44': New Zealand makes a sub of their own, swapping out Kalounivale for Rule.
46': Sorensen-McGee proves why she has been nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year, as she dummies, dodges and darts down the pitch to dive for New Zealand's first try of the second half.
50': Half an hour left and more changes made. Sae for Mikaele-Tu’u on the Black Fern's side, and Deshaye and Khalfaoui for Brosseau and Bernadou.
54': New Zealand add to their score with a long penalty kick from Holmes.
56': French fans rejoice as Les Bleues power of the line, but it is ruled no try by TMO. New Zealand retain their healthy lead.
57': Woodman Wycliffe is subbed off for Vahaakolo, and receives a roar from the crowd as she departs.
59': Sorensen-McGee darts over again, diving in the corner for New Zealand's sixth try.
62': Champon responds with a corner try of her own for Les Bleues, powering through two defenders to stretch over the line. Tuy converts.
65': France are fighting back! A third try right under the posts by Vernier which Tuy easily converts.
71': Boulard sprints over for France's fourth try, but Tuy misses the tricky conversion.
75': Holmes is aware Mastercard Player of the Match after earning 11 points for the Black Ferns this match.
79': Player of the Match Holmes kicks home another penalty for New Zealand, with the added bonus of wasting precious seconds on the clock.
80': Full time - New Zealand 42 - 26 France. The Black Ferns turn bronze as they officially place third at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
France vs. New Zealand kick off time
The bronze final kicks off in Twickenham, UK at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 27 | 09:30 a.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 27 | 04:30 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Sep. 27 | 0:30 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Sep. 27 | 9:30 p.m. AEST |
France vs. New Zealand lineups, team news
France have the chance to move into the top three teams in the world if they win this encounter, so will be coming out with all guns blazing.
The starting XV is recognisable from the one that faced England last weekend in the semi finals, although there have been some changes made.
Madoussou Fall Raclot is remaining at lock position but shifted to 5, with Taina Maka moving from as well as Taina Maka and Emilie Boulard joining on the pitch.
Morgane Bourgeois, who has traditionally been France’s choice kicker, is off to begin, as Boulard replaces her at fullback.
Nassira Konde, who scored two of France’s three tries in the semifinals, is back at outside centre, alongside Gaby Vernier on the inside.
France starting XV:
15 - Boulard, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Maka, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu
Replacements:
16 - Bigot, 17 - Deshaye, 18 - Khalfaoui, 19 - Ikahehegi, 20 - Morland, 21 - Chambon, 22 - Tuy, 23 - Arbey
Full France squad
Forwards: Makarita Baleinadogo, Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu, Manon Bigot, Yllana Brosseau, Lea Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Annaelle Deshaye, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall Raclot, Teani Feleu, Manae Feleu, Agathe Gerin, Hina Ikahehegi, Assia Khalfaoui, Taina Maka, Marie Morland, Seraphine Okemba, Elisa Riffoneau
Backs: Kelly Arbey, Carla Arbez, Emilie Boulard, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Morgane Bourgeois, Alexandra Chambon, Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Marine Menager, Carla Neisen, Lina Queyroi, Lina Tuy, Gaby Vernier
Having won the 2021 World Cup, the Black Ferns will be wanting to defend their world ranking and reach the podium on Saturday, even if the top two places are out of reach for them.
The partnership of Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, the highest try-scorer in Women’s World Cup and young superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee on either wing is back, as New Zealand hope to control the game more than they were able to against Canada in the semi-finals.
The starting XV is largely unchanged from the squad that faced the Maple Leafs, although both Laura Bayfield and Jorja Miller have taken up positions on pitch.
Both Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee were recently announced as nominees for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025, and will have a change to demonstrate their skills once more on the field.
Maiakawanakualani Roos and Chelsea Bremner are bringing out their lock pair once more, a well-oiled machine coupled with flankers Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kennedy Tukuafa.
New Zealand starting XV:
15 - Holmes, 14 - Sorensen-McGee, 13 - Waaka, 12 - Brunt, 11 - Woodman-Wycliffe, 10 - Demant, 9 - Pouri-Lane, 1 - Viliko, 2 - Ponsonby, 3 - Kalounivale, 4 - Roos, 5 - Bayfield, 6 -Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 - Miller, 8 - Olsen-Baker
Replacements:
16 - Green, 17 - Tangen-Wainohu, 18 - Rule, 19 - Bremner, 20 - Sae, 21 - Joseph, 22 - Setefano, 23 - Vahaakolo
Full New Zealand squad
Forwards: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Vici-Rose Green, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Atlanta Lolohea, Veisini Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakualani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kennedy Tukuafu, Chryss Viliko
Backs: Kelly Brazier, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Maia Joseph, Ayesha Leti-Iiga, Risi Pouri-Lane, Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wycliffe
Where to watch Women's Rugby World Cup
USA
Free-to-air channel: CBS, CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+
The England vs. Canada match for the final of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Fubo and Paramount+. The game will be available on CBS and CBS Sports Network in the United States.
Stream live 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
Watch Live Sports and TV Without Cable TV
Canada
Free-to-air channel: TSN 1, TSN 3
Live stream: Amazon Prime via TSN+
The England vs. Canada match for the final of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Amazon Prime via TSN+. The game will be available on TSN 1 and TSN 3 in Canada.
Australia
Free-to-air channel: –Live stream: Stan Sport
The England vs. Canada match for the final the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Stan Sport. The game will not be available on cable in Australia.
WATCH:2025 Women's Rugby World Cup LIVE on Stan Sport
UK
Free-to-air channel: BBC One
Live stream: BBC iPlayer
The match can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC One.