Black Ferns score 10 tries in win over Scotland

Black Ferns 66

Scotland 14

The Black Ferns continue to roll through their 2026 campaign.

With a 66-14 win over Scotland in Edinburgh this morning, the Black Ferns’ first test against Scotland in Scotland, Whitney Hansen’s side put 10 tries on the board to continue their unbeaten season in a contest that saw plenty of players make the most of some game time.

It was a new-look Black Ferns side given the assignment against Scotland, with management making a host of changes after last weekend’s win over France.

Notably, changes at both propping positions saw the side take an opportunity to continue building depth in the front row – an area the team is looking to address. Starting props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu were solid in the starting roles, anchoring a strong scrum and getting involved around the park, and that strength at the set piece remained in the second half when rookie loosehead Ngano Tavake and 10-test tighthead Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu entered the contest.

The Black Ferns got another strong showing from their loose trio, with Mia Anderson – shifting to No 8 this week – again heavily involved during her time on the field. Blindside Layla Sae, in her first test start this year, reminded everyone of her strength with ball in hand with some big fends and a couple of tries in an 80-minute performance, while Elinor-Plum King’s impressive rookie campaign at test level continued.

At halfback, Tara Turner was named player of the match after a smart showing with her delivery from the ruck, moving the ball on quickly to keep the Black Ferns rolling forward, while several of the backs tested the Scottish defence when they found room to move.

The side also found themselves under pressure at times, with Scotland scoring a couple of good tries in the first half and applying pressure at times in the second when the Black Ferns were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the gas.

But it was a performance Hansen’s side can build on as they now look towards next weekend’s test against England at Twickenham; the Red Roses held to a 26-26 draw by Canada on Sunday morning.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the Black Ferns didn’t waste any time before putting the scoreboard to work as Palu split a couple of defenders and cruised through to score the first try of the contest just a couple of minutes in.

It was the first of six first-half tries to the Black Ferns, who struck through King, Sae, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Justine McGregor and Amy du Plessis before halftime.

Scotland were able to strike back a couple of times through No 8 Evie Gallagher, capitalising on a couple of rare trips inside the Black Ferns’ 22 in the first 40 minutes.

Versatile forward Amarante Sititi entered the contest at halftime in place of Anderson and immediately made an impact with a try just a couple of minutes into the second stanza.

With Turner and Sae crossing just moments later, the Black Ferns had scored another three tries within 10 minutes of the restart.

The Black Ferns emptied their bench through the second half, which saw outside back Maia Davis join Tavake in making her Black Ferns debut, but they couldn’t find another way through the Scottish defence until Alena Saili scored with the last play of the game.

Black Ferns 66 (Layla Sae 2, Mo’omo’oga Palu, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Justine McGregor, Elinor-Plum King, Amy du Plessis, Amarante Sititi, Tara Turner, Alena Saili tries; Braxton Sorensen-McGee 7 cons, Hannah King con)

Scotland 14 (Evie Gallagher 2 tries; Helen Nelson 2 cons)

HT: 38-14