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Black Ferns land trio of home Tests ahead of 2025 Rugby World Cup
By Ned Lester
2025 is calling and there is plenty to look forward to in international rugby, not least of which is a Rugby World Cup.
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The Blacks Ferns have released their three-Test schedule that will act as their springboard for a World Cup campaign in which they’ll look to defend their 2021 (played in 2022 due to Covid) world title.
Record demand for tickets has already been registered for the World Cup, and the Kiwis have some work to do after a 2024 international season that saw them win just half of their games.
The first chance the reigning world champions have to get back in the win column is against Canada in Christchurch, who beat them for the first time in 2024 at that very venue before running top-ranked side England close in WXV1 in an otherwise undefeated 2024 campaign.
The Kiwis will then host the USA in Auckland before facing Australia in Wellington, a game that will serve as a double-header with the All Blacks and France.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than a World Cup year, but the foundations of our year will be laid here in Aotearoa with the support of our fans, friends and wh?nau. Australia, Canada and USA will be crucial Tests and the double-header in Wellington will be a fitting finale to our domestic schedule,” Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said.
The coach’s sentiment was echoed by New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson.
“It’s a huge year for the Black Ferns with the Rugby World Cup and the 2025 schedule is a chance for fans across the country to get behind the team as they prepare to win their title in England. The support of New Zealanders means a huge amount to our teams in black and the double-header at Sky Stadium in Wellington will be a special occasion for both teams,” he said.
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“For the All Blacks there is a rare opportunity to host three of our greatest rivals in the same year as we welcome France, South Africa and Australia. These traditional rivalries will always be special and we look forward to a continuation of the entertainment and drama we saw during 2024.”
The Black Ferns will face Ireland, Japan and Spain in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup.
Black Ferns 2025 schedule
Pacific Four Series
v Canada, Saturday 17 May, 3.35pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
v USA, Saturday 24 May, 3.35pm, North Harbour Stadium, AUCKLAND
O’Reilly Cup Presented by Ryman Healthcare
v Australia, Saturday 12 July, 4.30pm, Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON
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The Black Ferns vs Canada match will be a good barometer of whose preparations for the tournament are furthest along - though with it being first in the series there may well be an element of both sides keeping their powder dry.
Still quite a long gap between those games (and the 6N for the NH sides) and the start of the tournament - I wonder if we will see more warm up games fitted in over the summer.
Why is the black ferns playing all there pacific four series game at home it’s not right
Two years ago they played 2 games in Canada but other than that they always play there games at home in the pac 4