WXV: Black Ferns Player Ratings vs France

New Zealand struck first through. Justine McGregor in the 13^th minute, with Braxton Sorensen-McGee converting from out wide. Mia Anderson powered over for the second try twelve minutes later, Sorensen-McGee again adding the extras, as the visitors took a 14-7 lead into the break after Pauline Bourdon Sansus crossed for France on the stroke of half-time.

Mererangi Paul extended the lead moments into the second half, but France responded through Lina Queyroi’s 66^th minute try, converted by Queyroi herself, to set up a tense finale. Léa Murie had earlier had a try disallowed for a forward pass. However, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u sealed the win in the 70^th minute, crashing over from close range after a powerful scrum, with Sorensen-McGee adding the final conversion.

France will look to regroup ahead of their next WXV fixture, while the Black Ferns continue their European tour with confidence.

FRANCE: 14
TRIES: 2 (Bourdon Sansus 35', Queyroi 66')
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Arbez 35', Queyroi 66')
PENALTIES: 0
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0

STARTING XV: 15. Chloé Jacquet 14. Kelly Arbey 13. Lili Dezou 12. Teani Feleu 11. Lea Murie 10. Carla Arbez 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus 1. Ambre Mwayembe 2. Mathilde Lazarko 3. Assia Khalfaoui 4. Julia Grosz 5. Siobhan Sogeta 6. Axelle Berthoumieu 7. Lea Champon 8. Charlotte Escudero

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Elisa Riffonneau 17. Yllana Brosseau 18. Annaelle Deshaye 19. Cloe Correia 20. Khoudeidia Cissokho 21. Alexandra Chambon 22. Lina Queyroi 23. Gabrielle Vernier

NEW ZEALAND: 28
TRIES: 4 (McGregor 13', Anderson 25', Paul 46', Mikaele-Tu'u 70')
CONVERSIONS: 4 (Sorensen-McGee 13', 25', 44', 70')
PENALTIES: 0
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0

STARTING XV: 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee 14. Mererangi Paul 13. Amy du Plessis 12. Sylvia Brunt 11. Justine McGregor 10. Hannah King 9. Maia Joseph 1. Chryss Viliko 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5. Laura Bayfield 6. Mia Anderson 7. Elinor-Plum King 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Atlanta Lolohea 17. Maddi Robinson 18. Santo Taumata 19. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu 20. Layla Sae 21. Tara Turner 22. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a 23. Alena Saili

15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee 8/10
Faultless from the tee with four conversions from four, and a constant threat with ball in hand. Busy defensively too, though she conceded a couple of penalties.

14. Mererangi Paul 7/10
A lively afternoon in Lyon, capped by the opening try of the second half. France found some joy down her wing, but her attacking contribution stood out.

13. Amy du Plessis 7/10
A tireless shift in both directions, 13 tackles and over 40 metres carried. Her starting spot looks secure.

12. Sylvia Brunt 8/10
The glue in the Black Ferns' attack. Fourteen passes, four defenders beaten and double-digit tackles, a complete centre's performance.

11. Justine McGregor 6/10
Took her try well in the 13th minute but otherwise saw little of the ball.

10. Hannah King 7/10
Controlled the game with maturity in the absence of Ruahei Demant. Little concern about the 22-year-old pulling the strings.

9. Maia Joseph 7/10
Set the tempo throughout and read the game superbly, helping shepherd a new starting first-five.

1. Chryss Viliko 7/10
Thrived at the scrum, making life uncomfortable for Assia Khalfaoui as the Black Ferns wore France down.

2. Georgia Ponsonby 7/10
A captain's shift. The lineout wasn't perfect, but the set-piece edged France. 26 metres and seven tackles.

3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu 7/10
Disrupted France at scrum time and helped turn set-piece supremacy into points.

4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 7/10
Understated but effective, kept the lineout rolling and New Zealand on the front foot for 56 minutes.

5. Laura Bayfield 8/10
A proper engine-room display: 15 tackles and a genuine lineout weapon. The grunt work done brilliantly.

6. Mia Anderson 7/10
Shone in attack, her first Black Ferns try, 80 metres carried and six defenders beaten in 72 minutes.

7. Elinor-Plum King 6/10
Quieter than her usual standards, with eight tackles, but still got through plenty of unseen work.

8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 9/10
Probably the player of the match. A superb try to seal it, rangy in open field and a useful lineout option. Getting better with every Test.

16. Atlanta Lolohea 6/10
Steady off the bench.

17. Maddi Robinson 6/10
Helped see the game out.

18. Santo Taumata 6/10
Solid contribution at the set-piece.

19. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu 6/10
Added energy in the tight exchanges.

20. Layla Sae 6/10
Did her job in the closing stages.

21. Tara Turner N/A
On at 75', under 10 minutes.

22. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a – N/A
On at 75', under 10 minutes.

23. Alena Saili – N/A
On at 75', under 10 minutes.

Black Ferns captain Georgia Ponsonby felt her side's defensive resolve was the decisive factor in their 28-14 victory over France.

"We gave the French a lot of ball, we weren't clinical with our off-loading game, and we made poor decisions at times," Ponsonby told Sky Sport.

"But then our effort to get on defence and get the ball back, I think that was the difference today."

The win sees the Black Ferns open their WXV Global Series campaign on a positive note as they continue their European tour.