'Should've won': Black Ferns take belief from agonising England defeat

Sport Nation • September 28th, 2026 9:11 am

Black Ferns | Photo: Photosport

The Black Ferns will return home from England determined to build on a narrow defeat that assistant coach Tony Christie believes could prove a valuable turning point.

New Zealand pushed England all the way in front of 60,000 at Twickenham, denied a hard-fought draw in heartbreaking fashion courtesy of an intercept try to Zoe Harrison with the clock expired.

Christie admitted there was a feeling among the coaching group that the Black Ferns had let a winnable game slip away against a team they haven't beaten since their 2022 World Cup triumph at Eden Park.

“Previously, it’s a 'could’ve' and this time it’s a 'should’ve won',” Christie told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.

“We had some opportunities, some moments, but that’s exciting.

"The main message we've just gone through in the review, how proud we were."

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The Black Ferns had prepared for England’s set-piece strength and were pleased with their ability to compete up front, while their kicking game also represented a significant step forward.

Christie said it was the first time during his time working with the team that New Zealand had won the kicking battle against England.

The coaching staff also rued some some missed chances offensively, with Christie believing New Zealand could have taken a significant lead into halftime.

"Our forwards did a great job. Just our backs at the end, inside that 22, we just didn't ice some opportunities out wide in some of those pictures when we narrowed their defence.

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"I thought we should have gone into that halftime, two, three tries up. But that's footy and we'll learn from it.

The Black Ferns will now have 10 days at home before returning to camp ahead of a three-Test series against France.

The first Test will be played at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on October 17, followed by a clash in Whangārei a week later and the final Test at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium.

Christie hopes the Black Ferns can replicate some of the support they experienced at Twickenham when they return home.

“You can definitely feel it when you’re the away team, the lift that it gives,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get something similar when we return.”

Listen to the full interview: