New Zealand Women vs France Women: October 31 Kickoff, Lineups and WXV Preview

Match preview updated October 31, 2026, ahead of kickoff: New Zealand Women, known as the Black Ferns, host France Women at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The scheduled kickoff is 7:10 p.m. New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT, UTC+13:00), which is 6:10 a.m. UTC on October 31. This is a rugby union Test in the 2026 WXV Global Series and the third and final match of New Zealand's October home series against France. It is a different fixture from the meeting in Whangārei on October 24. Check World Rugby’s match center for the latest match status, officials and scoring rather than assuming a result before play.

New Zealand Women vs France Women: confirmed match details

The kickoff is corroborated by New Zealand Rugby’s published schedule and the World Rugby fixture. New Zealand is observing daylight saving time on the match date, while metropolitan France returned to standard time on October 25. These offsets explain why the same moment is 7:10 p.m. in Christchurch but 7:10 a.m. in Paris. The stadium operator’s wider event-time window is not itself kickoff time; the sporting fixture listing is the appropriate reference.

Why this WXV meeting matters

The Black Ferns entered this fixture after beating France 81–12 in Hamilton on October 17 and 31–12 in Whangārei on October 24. Those are confirmed results from earlier matches, not a score for the Christchurch contest. The Black Ferns’ report from Whangārei explains how France narrowed the contest to 14–12 at halftime before New Zealand pulled away in the second half. France therefore arrive seeking a more complete performance, while the hosts have the chance to finish their three-match home series unbeaten.

WXV's 2026 structure deserves a distinction from earlier tournament formats. Under World Rugby’s Global Series framework, the leading 12 teams play cross-regional international fixtures in a home-and-away touring model during the September–October window. This game contributes to international results, competitive development and the ongoing rankings picture; it is not a standalone knockout match with a win-and-advance bracket. New Zealand and France have already secured places at the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup through their semifinal finishes at the 2025 tournament, so it would also be inaccurate to describe this particular Test as direct qualification for them.

Team sheets: who is starting?

New Zealand coach Whitney Hansen named Ruahei Demant as captain at fly-half, with Maia Joseph at scrum-half and Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback. The hosts have substantial changes across the starting side compared with the October 24 Test. The original Black Ferns selection announcement and the October 31 team update should be read together: prop Santo Taumata was subsequently ruled out with a neck injury, and Ngano Tavake came into the reserves wearing No. 18. The list below reflects that updated match-day selection, not an assertion that the eventual on-field lineup cannot change.

New Zealand reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Maddison Robinson, Ngano Tavake, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Amarante Sititi, Ariana Bayler, Hannah King and Mererangi Paul. France reserves: Élisa Riffonneau, Amalia Bazola Allières, Marion Latonnelle, Julia Grosz, Ylona Avril, Khoudédia Cissokho, Lylou Pédussaud and Morgane Bourgeois. France’s named combinations are also shown by Rugby Australia’s union-operated match center; as with any Test, the official team sheets and late changes take precedence over older previews.

Availability and late changes to know

New Zealand Rugby’s match-day update lists Atlanta Lolohea (ankle), Tara Turner (concussion), Kaipo Olsen-Baker (ankle) and Santo Taumata (neck) as unavailable. That is more precise than describing them all as merely doubtful. It also confirms Tavake as the replacement in the 23. France have made selection changes of their own, including a starting halfback combination of Chambon and Arbez. A published squad is not proof that every named player will enter the field; replacements and any additional alterations should be checked against the final team list.

Who is refereeing New Zealand vs France?

The World Rugby match page lists Ella Goldsmith as referee, Amber McLachlan as first assistant referee and Rachel Horton as television match official. Its current listing also names Natarsha Ganley as second assistant referee and Damon Murphy as foul play review officer. However, World Rugby’s September 16 appointments notice gave different names for those last two roles: Chloe Sampson and Reuben Keane. Because the official sources are not fully aligned, readers seeking the final officiating crew should recheck the match center immediately before kickoff rather than treat the September announcement as immutable.

Three matchups worth following

Can France sustain its pressure longer?

France's second Test was significantly more competitive than the opening 81–12 defeat. At Whangārei, French pressure at the set piece, physical carries and disciplined phases helped keep the halftime deficit at just two points. But New Zealand finished more strongly. The key question now is whether France can turn periods in the opposition 22 into points without giving the Black Ferns transition opportunities. That is an analytical question, not a forecast of the final result.

How will the Black Ferns' halfbacks control territory?

With Joseph at No. 9 and Demant at No. 10, New Zealand can vary tempo and direct attacks through the midfield or out wide. Demant's tactical decisions and the support lines of Brunt and Du Plessis could be especially important if France repeat their aggressive defense. Conversely, poorly executed kicks or hurried passes can give France a platform to counterattack. Look at field position, handling and the quality of each team's exits rather than relying only on possession percentages.

Will the benches change the final quarter?

Both teams have named eight replacements, and the forwards' workload is likely to be a practical consideration in the closing stages. The October 24 meeting demonstrated that a close halftime score does not guarantee a close finish. Substitution timing, scrum stability and discipline near the breakdown are therefore more informative things to monitor than a simple expectation that recent margins will repeat themselves.

Watching and attending the Christchurch Test

New Zealand Rugby says its international matches are carried live by Sky Sport in New Zealand, with Black Ferns YouTube highlights scheduled after the final whistle rather than serving as a guaranteed free live stream. Fans elsewhere should verify the authorized broadcaster for their country; New Zealand rights do not establish live availability in France, the United States or other markets. For live scoring and confirmation of the eventual outcome, use the Black Ferns match updates or World Rugby game center.

The venue operator identifies One NZ Stadium’s location as 218 Madras Street, Christchurch Central City. Its official event and travel page cautions that there is no general onsite parking and recommends considering public transportation, taxis or rideshare, particularly around major events. Spectators should also check tickets and gate information with the venue rather than treating its overall event hours as the kickoff or admission time.

Bottom line

The verified fixture is New Zealand Women vs France Women, October 31, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. NZDT (UTC+13:00), or 06:10 UTC, at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. New Zealand have won the first two October home Tests, France have shown an improved challenge, and both sides have published their match-day selections. This is a pre-kickoff guide, not a final-result report. The most useful last checks are the official match center for team-sheet or officiating changes, the New Zealand Rugby update for injuries and the venue operator’s travel guidance for anyone attending.