The Black Ferns have navigated slippery conditions to reclaim the world number two spot, the Pacific Four title, and the O'Reilly Cup, running out 40-5 winners over the Wallaroos in the ever Trans-Tasman rugby match on ANZAC Day in the Sunshine Coast.
The ANZAC Clash has proven popular, with 5,508 fans braving soggy conditions to enjoy a strong evening of rugby.
Watch every second of the 2026 Wallaroos season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The visitors struck early through centre Amy du Plessis, but the hosts weathered several more attacking opportunities, eventually striking back off the maul through skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona.
The visitors replied through a double to Ayesha Leti-l’iga, but conditions proved hard for both sides to overcome, with both missing several opportunities to score again.
However, in the second half, the visitors kicked into gear, scoring three more tries and crucially denying the Wallaroos much time to attack, keeping the hosts scoreless to stretch their run of wins over the Trans-Tasman rivals to 30.
The result sees the Wallaroos finish in last the Pacific Four Series, the side having also lost fixtures against Canada and the USA.
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Into the last minute, and the Wallaroos look to finish in style, as Miller and Fua both break the line.
However, the attack can't link up, and they knock it on as the clock goes red.
Black Ferns win the scrum, try to have a crack but knock it on. That's full time.
Wallaroos attack in enemy territory, looking to finish with a try, but it is pinched yet again by the Black Ferns, but Hannah King is penalised for not releasing.
The Wallaroos win the lineout, and attack again, but are met by strong defence, they try to kick ahead, but the Black Ferns go into counterattack and kick ahead and two players ground the ball in the Wallaoo goal line.
We're going upstairs… and it's no try. Goal line drop out as we head into the final stages.
The Wallaroos win the scrum and kick it into enemy territory, and the visitors strike back well on the left flank, but knock it on.
Scrum to the Wallaroos, and they win the penalty! They win the lineout and attack.
Big shove from the Black Ferns, and they win a penalty! Chance goes begging for the hosts.
They clear and win the lineout, then clear it. The hosts return fire, and the visitors attack from deep in their own territory as we head into the final ten minutes.
The Wallaroos finally get a scrum in enemy territory, and put it to good use, as Desiree Miller gets them over the 22.
The Black Ferns counter ruck, but knock it on, and the hosts have a scrum near the Kiwi five metre line.
The hosts win the scrum and Taylor cuts them to shreds, but is brought down short! The Black Ferns concede a penalty, and the hosts opt for a scrum.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker is done for a second movement after another patient builds up, and the Wallaroos try to run it wide and clear it.
However, the visitors strike back through a long-range effort, and Laura Bayfield scores her side's sixth. Conversion successful.
The Black Ferns attack well, and after another ten phases in the Wallaroo 22, they spin it wide and Justine McGregor gets her first try in the black jersey. Conversion unsuccessful, but the visitors are running away with it now.
We have the final crowd number: 5,508 officially in the house at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Lily Bone comes off after a good shift, and Piper Duck comes on. The Wallaroos have pushed the Black Ferns back to their territory, but the visitors win a scrum and kick it out on the full.
The hosts attack, but the visitors' pressure sees a knock on and a scrum on halfway.
The play breaks down after the scrum however, and the Black Ferns earn a penalty and kick it into enemy territory.
Black Ferns pinch a lineout and attack, but Moleka clears and puts her side out of danger for the moment.
The Kiwis try to go to the back, but knock on the ball, scrum to the hosts. Wallaroos win and clear, and a kicking battle ensues.
Leti-l’iga cuts the Wallaroos open, but she can't link up and knocks the ball on! Scrum to the hosts again.
After 11 phases of non-stop attack, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu scores the Black Ferns first try of the second half as the rain starts to bucket down! Conversion successful.
We're back out on the field, Holmes kicks us off and we're underway!
The Black Ferns attack but knock it on, giving the Wallaroos the scrum.
The hosts don't muck about, kicking it out and heading down the tunnel.
Into the last minute, and the visitors knock on off the restart, giving the hosts a last chance to attack.
Scrum however, is a massive shove, and the Black Ferns get the penalty! The visitors kick into enemy territory, and look to attack.
The Wallaroos earn another penalty, but lose the lineout. Black Ferns clear, the hosts attack but knock it on halfway, and the Black Ferns win the scrum and attack.
They get left wide open on the left flank again, and du Plessis and Leti-l’iga combine to put the winger in the corner on the edge of halftime.
Black Ferns knock it on again, then concede a penalty for a high tackle. Lineout successful, the Wallaroos work up to halfway, and Wood cuts them open! They make it to the 22 but lose it forward!
Scrum to the Black Ferns, but the hosts are asking a lot of questions when they have ball in hand.
The Wallaroos' restart doesn't go ten, and the hosts take the scrum in the middle of the field, and then execute a perfect 50:22.
They go to the lineout, but the Wallaroos pinch it back. Wood clears it out. Black Ferns win the second lineout and attack again.
A lapse in judgement and the Black Ferns catch them on the outside, with a kick ahead finding Ayesha Leti-l’iga to score in the corner. Holmes converts, and the lead is nine.
The hosts get another penalty, and then the Black Ferns are marched again for throwing the ball away.
The hosts go quickly with the maul, and Siokapesi Palu Sekona scores in the corner! Wood misses the conversion, but it's a big boost for the visitors.
The Black Ferns attack, but knock it on in the process, scrum to the hosts.
The hosts win it and go wide, and then get a penalty for the Black Ferns not getting on side. The hosts kick it into enemy territory and look for another crack.
They win the lineout, and attack, but it's messy, and the hosts go backwards, so they send it to the air, Black Ferns return fire and then concede a penalty. The Wallaroos go to the corner.
The visitors run off the scrum, and the indecision cuts the Wallaroos to shreds! After two phases, Kaipo Olsen-Baker crashes over, and the visitors get their second try… or do they? We're going upstairs to look at a forward pass, and it's no try! Scrum to the hosts.
The hosts win the scrum and send it long.
The Wallaroos try another chip over the top, but the visitors do well and clear it.
After a kicking battle, the hosts try to run, but concede a penalty for holding on. The Black Ferns go to the corner, but botch the lineout, however Karpani knocks it on and it's a Black Ferns scrum.
They go wide, and a great kick by Moleka and Miller picks it up behind the Black Fern line. She tries to link up with Friedrichs but they knock it on thanks to solid scrambling defence.
Scrum to the Black Ferns, and the visitors run and then clear. The danger is averted for the time being but the Wallaroos have a good opportunity to attack.
The Black Ferns send a booming kick back down off the restart, and we have a goal-line drop-out for the Wallaroos. The visitors attack again, but Sam Wood pinches it for the hosts, and they clear.
Black Ferns attack again, but knock it on, and we'll have our first scrum of the evening. First scrum, and the hosts get a free kick, and they tap and go.
The Wallaroos hold out the maul, but the visitors spin in wide, and Amy du Plessis goes through untouched. Holmes converts, and we have our first points.
The visitors start well, holding the ball for ten phases and making their way into the Wallaroo 22, they get closer and closer, the Wallaroos concede a offside but hold the visitors up over the line after nearly 20 phases. Black Ferns go to the corner.
The rain seems to have abated as the sides come out onto the field, led by Michaela Leonard.
With a military guard on honour, the ode, The Last Post, Reveille, and the anthems are played, with the hill stacked with fans! Fireworks bring to an end a beautiful, moving ceremony.
The Wallaroos then take their position in the flying arrow, as the Black Ferns perform the Ko Uhia Mai - and the Wallaroos advance together! Chills.
After a stare off, we are ready to go. Aurélie Groizeleau blows his whistle, and the Wallaroos get us underway!
Tries: Palu Sekona
Cons: Wood 0/1
Tries: du Plessis, Leti-l’iga 2, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, McGregor, Bayfield
Cons: Holmes 5/6
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallaroos clash with the Black Ferns in the first-ever ANZAC Day clash in Trans-Tasman rugby history
Both sides are going through their warm-ups, with no changes confirmed by either side. Michaela Leonard will become the most capped Wallaroo of all time, making her 46th appearance in gold.
Conditions are rainy and wet on the Sunshine Coast, so expect that to have a big impact on the game ahead.
Australia (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Michaela Leonard, Tiarah Minns, Kaitlan Leaney, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (cap), Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Sidney Taylor, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Waiaria Ellis
Replacements: Brittany Merlo, Martha Fua, Bridie O’Gorman, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Piper Simons, Ava Wereta, Nicole Ledington
New Zealand (1-15): Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Mo’omo’oga Palu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Laura Bayfield, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kennedy Tukuafu (cap), Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maia Joseph, Ruahei Demant, Ayesha Leti-l’iga, Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Justine McGregor, Renee Holmes
Replacement: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddi Robinson, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Mia Anderson, Tara Turner, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Chloe Sampson (NZR) & Hibiki Ikeda (JRFU)
TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)
FPRO: Graham Cooper (RA)
The Brumbies' clash with the Reds will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:30 pm with kickoff expected at 7:55 pm.
The game will also be shown on free-to-air television on Nine, with coverage beginning at 7:30 pm
