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Latest News
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Women's rugby
Saturday 30 October, 2021
2 min read

Black Ferns raring to go ahead of 100th official test following two-year break

New Zealand’s women will return to the test arena for the first time in more than two years when they take on England at Sandy Park on Sunday.
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When Black Ferns second-row Charmaine Smith crossed the whitewash to confirm a 37-8 victory against Australia at Eden Park on 17 August, 2019, no one could have predicted it would be the team’s final act for more than 26 months.

New Zealand’s women had completed their busiest ever schedule in a non-Rugby World Cup year, winning five of six tests to maintain their place at the top of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings.

The defeat of the Wallaroos, meanwhile, came in the Black Ferns’ 99th test since their first official international match, against Canada at the inaugural women’s Rugby World Cup in Wales in 1991.

Ready. Set. Go.#BlackFerns100 #LoveEveryMinute pic.twitter.com/vBgRs5h1hK

— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) October 28, 2021

It seemed only a matter of time until the team brought up its century. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic not only ensured that Rugby World Cup 2021 was postponed but has also kept the Black Ferns from the international stage – until now.

The five-time Rugby World Cup winners will make their long-awaited return, and play their 100th official test, when they take on England at Sandy Park in Exeter on Sunday.

“It's pretty cool, even just saying that gives me goosebumps,” Kendra Cocksedge said this week when asked how it felt to be back touring with the Black Ferns.

“It’s crazy for someone who plays every year and then two-and-a-half years later and you get to pull on that black jersey again.

“It's going to be really interesting. I can imagine that the first 20 minutes on Sunday is going to have the lungs going, it'll probably no doubt be very quick footy.

“But, we'll hopefully get the job done and it's very exciting for the whole group.”

“A chance to celebrate”

Cocksedge has played more than half of the team’s 99 tests to date, having made her debut as a replacement aged just 19 against Australia in 2007.

Having won two Rugby World Cup titles and with more than 50 tests for New Zealand behind her, there is not much Cocksedge has not achieved on the pitch.

But even she struggled to contain her excitement ahead of the first match of the team’s European tour against England, the side currently ranked number one in the Women’s Rankings.

“There's no other way apart from getting up for it,” she said.

“It's been two and a half years since the team's played a test match and the Black Ferns, we'll be playing in our 100th Test as well. So, there's a lot to get up for this weekend.

“And, we love the battle against England, we know how tough it is and the girls are absolutely fizzing.

“We’ve been training for the sake of training, we managed to get some Farah Palmer Cup in at home, but we're almost sick of playing each other.

“So, we're looking forward to getting out on the grass and hopefully doing a good job against England.”

Following Sunday’s match against England, the Black Ferns will play the Red Roses again in Northampton before travelling to France to face Les Bleues on consecutive weekends.

They will do so having brought up a century of official matches for the team, and prop Pip Love believes this weekend’s assignment is an opportunity to honour the players who went before them.

“I've seen a huge, huge growth in the game just with the amount of support and resources we get, and the crowd support and the fan base,” said Love, who made her test debut in 2014.

“It's really exciting, the 100th test, it's a chance to celebrate all of those players that went before us and it's a huge legacy, 100 games.

“You know, you only play a few games a year, so we're celebrating a lot of girls from way back in the day.

“So, it's cool to be able to go out there and hopefully we can do them proud.”

READ MORE: RWC 2021 aims to make history at Eden Park as it targets world record attendance >>

Trending News Show all
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
6 min read
Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
5 min read

Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
Serevi Coaching Roadshow - HSBC Event
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022
4 min read

Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
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