Road to the bronze final
Twickenham welcomed the bronze final between France and New Zealand, a marquee encounter in the Women’s Rugby World Cup that carries both pride and history. After a season of hard-fought preparation, Les Bleues and the Black Ferns faced off with the chance to cap their campaigns with a podium finish and a memorable performance for their fans.
Opening spark: a French surge from the lineout
France struck early. After a lineout, Vernier sent the ball behind the NZ line, finding Arbez who surged into space. The burst of speed from Joanna Grisez opened the door, and Ménager released Pauline Bourdon Sansus who raced in for a first-hand try. It was a vivid reminder of the potential if the passes click and timing is precise—elements France had been chasing throughout the match.
Aims to attack and the challenge of precision
The French approach was to attack with ball in hand rather than opt for tactical kicking. From deep in their own half they built phases, while Champon carved an opening, only for the ensuing ruck to see a New Zealand forward claim an important error. The burst of ambition showed France’s intent, yet the half’s balance was unsettled by misplaced passes and costly turnovers that left the defense of the Black Ferns unfazed for stretches.
Turnovers and momentum swings
France pushed the boundaries, attempting to exit their half with danger but were met with miscontrol and dropped balls. Grisez’s misfortune off a critical possession allowed New Zealand to push back on the pedal, threatening to swing the momentum as the half wore on. The arena hummed with anticipation, as the two teams traded chances and the crowd waited for a moment of clarity in the game’s tempo.
Second-half adjustments and a tactical reshuffle
With halftime conversations turning into on-pitch tweaks, the French coaching staff entrusted Emilie Boulard at fullback, moving Morgane Bourgeois to a different facet of the backline. The aim was clear: improve ball retention and leverage relaunch play from the back, using pace to stretch the NZ defense. Yet the day’s narrative remained one of high-risk plays and periods where accuracy let the scoreboard tell a stinging truth for France.
New Zealand’s threats and a rising star
The Black Ferns’ threat was multifaceted. They relied on a compact, composed defense and the speed of counter-attacks. A notable storyline was Jorja Miller, a 21-year-old forward from Timaru who has emerged as a formidable force—part of a wave of talent challenging established hierarchies in world rugby. Miller and her teammates tested France’s shape and organization, signaling why New Zealand remains one of the sport’s most daunting teams.
Atmosphere, legends, and the bronze mission
Off the pitch, the day carried additional significance. In a nod to the sport’s broader heritage, football legend Sonia Bompastor handed out the jerseys to the players, underscoring the crossover appeal and the ceremonial weight of the occasion. On the bench, coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz explained the plan to lean on high-quality ball handling and a relentless, attack-minded approach, even as the match demanded patience and discipline. The venue, Twickenham, offered a historic backdrop to a bronze final that drew a swath of fans on a day when the little final and the main final shared the same stage for the first time.
What this bronze final means for France
Collectively, the match was more than a fight for bronze. It was a statement about France’s resilience after a semifinal setback and a marker for their development under pressure. While the dream of lifting the World Cup remained out of reach this time, a strong performance in the bronze final could build confidence and momentum for future campaigns, reinforcing the team’s identity as a force capable of competing with the world’s best.
Bottom line
As the whistle blows on this bronze final, France will reflect on the positives—the opening try, the willingness to attack, and the fight to stay in the contest against a historically tough opponent. For New Zealand, it’s another demonstration of depth and talent that underpins their standing in women’s rugby. Either way, the day at Twickenham will leave fans with a lasting impression of a World Cup bronze final that delivered intensity, skill, and national pride.
