SATURDAY JULY 12th, 2025 SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON,NZ.
History, Heart, and High Stakes: A Night to Remember at Sky Stadium
On a cold July evening in Wellington, beneath the roar of a sold-out Sky Stadium, two of New Zealand’s proudest rugby teams will take centre stage. For the first time this season, the Black Ferns and the All Blacks will share the bill in a momentous double-header—one that carries not just national pride, but layers of history, redemption, and new beginnings.
Black Ferns: Legacy Meets Renewal
At 4:30pm, the Black Ferns will emerge from the tunnel to face their trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, in the O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa. The stadium will already be humming. For some, this match is about defending legacy. For others, it’s about forging it.
Among the debutants sits Laura Bayfield, a Matatū lock who just last week impressed in the Black Ferns XV. Now she prepares to take her first official steps into the Test arena. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Kelly Brazier—a seasoned warrior returning to the jersey for the first time since 2021. With over 15 years of international rugby behind her, Brazier brings more than experience; she brings calm, perspective, and the echoes of past battles.
Co-captains Alana Bremner and Ruahei Demant will lead a dynamic side that blends raw pace, fearless youth, and tried-and-tested veterans. Out wide, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vahaakolo will look to light up the wings, while fullback Renee Holmes returns for her first Test start of the year—ready to anchor the backfield under the spotlight.
And somewhere on the bench, Ruby Tui smiles—set to mark her 20th Test cap with the same fire and charisma that has made her a fan favourite across the country.
Black Ferns Starting XV:
- Chryss Viliko
- Georgia Ponsonby
- Tanya Kalounivale
- Maiakawanakaulani Roos
- Chelsea Bremner
- Alana Bremner (cc)
- Jorja Miller
- Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
- Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
- Ruahei Demant (cc)
- Katelyn Vahaakolo
- Sylvia Brunt
- Stacey Waaka
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
- Renee Holmes
Reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Amy Rule (30th cap), Laura Bayfield (*debut), Layla Sae, Iritana Hohaia, Kelly Brazier, Ruby Tui (20th cap)
Unavailable due to injury: Kate Henwood, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Amy du Plessis, Maia Joseph, Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
A Trophy, A Milestone, A Statement: The All Blacks’ Turn
As night falls and the lights intensify, the All Blacks will take the field against France, with more than just a Test win on the line. A victory would return the Dave Gallaher Trophy to New Zealand for the first time since 2018—named in honour of the iconic 1905–06 All Black captain who fell in battle during World War I. It’s not just silverware. It’s remembrance.
Last weekend, the All Blacks etched their name in the history books, becoming the first international team to register 500 Test victories. France, a historic rival, trails with 460 from 829 matches. But records alone won’t guarantee victory. Not against Les Bleus.
Wellington, though, offers comfort. France has never beaten the All Blacks in the capital, though they’ve managed to stun New Zealand elsewhere—Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin have all seen French triumphs. Sky Stadium, however, remains unbroken ground.
The All Blacks have made three changes to the side that triumphed in Dunedin. Injuries force Scott Barrett out, handing veteran Patrick Tuipulotu a start and the captain’s armband to Ardie Savea, who continues to be the heartbeat of this team. Caleb Clarke returns to the left wing for his first start of the season, while Rieko Ioane shifts to the right. And waiting for his moment off the bench is Timoci Tavatavanawai, poised to make his long-awaited All Blacks debut.
All Blacks Starting XV:
- Ethan de Groot (30 caps)
- Codie Taylor (97 caps, vice-captain)
- Fletcher Newell (23)
- Patrick Tuipulotu (51)
- Fabian Holland (1)
- Tupou Vaa’i (39)
- Ardie Savea (95, captain)
- Christian Lio-Willie (1)
- Cam Roigard (11)
- Beauden Barrett (135)
- Caleb Clarke (29)
- Jordie Barrett (69, vice-captain)
- Billy Proctor (3)
- Rieko Ioane (82)
- Will Jordan (42)
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho (31), Ollie Norris (1), Pasilio Tosi (8), Samipeni Finau (9), Du’Plessis Kirifi (1), Cortez Ratima (12), Timoci Tavatavanawai (*debut), Damian McKenzie (62)
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee), Tyrel Lomax (calf), Wallace Sititi (ankle), Luke Jacobson (concussion), Sevu Reece (concussion), Scott Barrett (calf)
Mean while the French side has changed completely.
The All Blacks will face another huge mental challenge against a France team with 10 changes to their starting line-up for Saturday night’s second test in Wellington.
France coach Fabien Galthié has only 63 caps of experience through his starting XV.
Four forwards — loose forward Pierre Bochaton, prop Baptiste Erdocio and locks Matthias Halagahu and Joshua Brennan — will be starting for their test debuts in the capital.
Meanwhile, French Coach Galthié ,has brought in five players from the Top 14 final who were unavailable in Dunedin and named a vastly different side.
Pierre-Louis Barassi, Bochaton, Brennan, Nicolas Depoortère and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefe have all been included in the 23, a fortnight after the French domestic decider Toulouse won 39-33 against Bordeaux Bègles. Vergnes-Taillefe and Thibault Daubagna are poised for their test debuts off the bench.
The only five retaining their starting berths from Dunedin are outside back Théo Attissogbe (shifting from right wing to fullback), Émilien Gailleton (moving from centre to left wing), first five-eighth Joris Segonds, halfback Nolann Le Garrec and hooker Gaëtan Barlot.
Barlot takes the captaincy from veteran midfielder Gaël Fickou, who has dropped out.
Their more experienced forwards, Romain Taofifenua and Cameron Woki, have been retained on the bench. With 86 tests between them, it’s two caps shy of the combined tally for the rest of the 23.
France: Léo Barré, Théo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortère, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Émilien Gailleton, Joris Segonds, Nolann Le Garrec; Esteban Abadie, Jacobus Van Tonder, Pierre Bochaton, Matthias Halagahu, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Gaëtan Barlot (capt), Baptiste Erdocio. Reserves: Pierre Bourgarit, Paul Mallez, Régis Montagne, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, Thibault Daubagna, Antoine Hastoy.
More Than a Match
Saturday in Wellington is more than a rugby double-header. It’s a celebration of milestones and memories. It’s a passing of torches—from seasoned legends to fresh faces. And above all, it’s a reminder of what makes New Zealand rugby unique: a deep connection between players, history, and the fans who live every tackle, every try, every note of the haka.
Sky Stadium will be loud. It will be proud. And by night’s end, it may witness the birth of new heroes—and the return of long-lost trophies.
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