WRR Turns 200: Black Ferns Stay Unbeaten, Latvia Dominates, Zimbabwe Scandal | WRR 200

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• The Black Ferns extended their unbeaten streak over Australia to 28 wins with a 38–12 victory in Newcastle, powered by doubles from Leti-I’iga and debutant Sorensen-McGee to open their 2025 Pacific Four campaign [link]
• Latvia remain unbeaten in the 2024/25 Rugby Europe Women’s Conference after a second dominant shutout of Norway, winning 27–0 in Oslo to go with their earlier 50–0 victory last fall, while Romania and Croatia also sit on one win apiece as the competition continues through the summer [link]
• No changes at the top of the World Rugby rankings as results followed expectations, but Latvia jumped to 38th, passing Czechia, Jamaica, and Romania, while Norway slipped to 43rd [link]
• Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Losson Mtongwiza and women’s rugby chair Regina Mwanandiwa have been suspended over allegations of mistreating senior women’s national team players during and after the Rugby Africa Women’s Division Cup [link]
  • The suspensions were prompted by a leaked audio recording in which Mtongwiza threatened players with lifetime bans if they publicly complained about their treatment, including receiving only US$150 allowances and being required to return their kits after national duty. The audio sparked public outrage, leading to protests at the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) offices and a formal inquiry by the ZRU’s National Executive Board.
• The Red Roses will host Spain as part of their Rugby World Cup prep, then head to France for another warmup match [link]
• Black Ferns XV to play two matches against the Springbok Women in South Africa [link]
• Springbok Women enter next phase of Rugby World Cup preparations [link]
• Up next: Asia Rugby Championship, more PAC4, Uganda’s final, and Spain’s Iberdrola title match [link]

Premier & Club

• Villorba claim back-to-back titles and their third overall after defeating Valsugana 15–5 in the 2024/25 Serie A Elite Femminile Final, with veteran Sara Barattin named Player of the Match [link]
• Denver held their spot at the top with a win over Twin Cities, while Boston moved into 2nd after beating the Bay, who scored 4 tries and are now tied with New York—on a bye—for 3rd [link]
  • WER also announced the Legacy Cup will be Sunday, June 29 in Eagan, MN at the TCO Stadium, time TBD [link]
• The 2025 Elite 1 Final will be held May 31 at Marcel-Michelin Stadium in Clermont-Ferrand, broadcast live on Canal+ Sport 360 and France 4 as part of a doubleheader with the TOP 14, marking a major milestone in visibility for women’s rugby in France [link]
  • Semifinals are set for May 24 or 25. Only Bordeaux has officially clinched, but Blagnac, ASM Romagnat, and Toulouse are also in strong position to lock in a spot
• Week 13 of the Uganda Premiership saw wins for the Thunderbirds, Black Pearls, Panthers, and She Wolves, and now the Thunderbirds and Black Pearls will face off for the Uganda Premiership Championship this Saturday at Kyadondo [link]
• The USA Club National Championships will take place this weekend in Indianapolis, IN May 16-18, watch all matches for free on The Rugby Network (free account required) [link]
  • D1
    • Metropolis Valkyries vs NOVA (defending champion)
    • Houston sHARCs vs Utah Vipers
  • D2
    • Grand Rapid Growlers vs Phoenixville Whitehorse
    • Tampa Bay Krewe (defending Champion)vs Las Vegas

Women’s Rugby Features

• Marine Ménager will retire after the Rugby World Cup in September [link]
• ‘Pull her over to the greener side’: Karpani at home in Newcastle with family support [link]
• Back-to-Back: Freda Tafuna Named Top Collegiate Player Again [link]
• Manjinder Nagra, the first Sikh woman to represent England in rugby, says she wants to break down cultural barriers that keep others from the game and got her start at Bath University in the 1990s before playing for England Students [link]
• Sophie de Goede: Returning from injury with ‘edge and physicality’ [link]
• Rhona Lloyd has announced on Instagram that after 4 years with the club, her time with Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais has come to an end, which included winning Elite 1 in her time there [link]
• What’s Holding back Women’s Rugby in Scotland? [link]
• Recent Team USA rugby match illustrates sport’s potential leading up to World Cup, Olympics [link]
• Hong Kong tap potential of fresh faces for Asia Rugby Women’s Championship [link]
• Ruahei Demant: Black Ferns ‘don’t have as many outside distractions as 2022’ [link]
• Lourdes Alameda: ‘I lost the will to talk or leave my home, but I have zero regrets’ [link]
• Maddi Levi, The Legend In Real Time [link]
• US Rugby Foundation College Rugby Scholarship Applications are now open [link]
• Sale Sharks Women have agreed a deal to sign England hooker Amy Cokayne from PWR rivals Leicester Tigers Women [link]
• After a year out of the France squad, Morgane Bourgeois returned in style to top the 2025 Championship scoring charts – and rediscovered the joy of the jersey along the way [link]
• Exeter prop Demi Swann has agreed a deal to stay with Exeter for the 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season [link]
• Japan Set to Host Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship in Fukuoka [link]
• PLAYING backyard footy and WWE with her older brother Sam whilst growing up at their family home in Newcastle was the ideal preparation for star scrum half Layne Morgan to become a key member of the Wallaroos’ squad [link]
• Congratulations to the 2025 US Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees! [link]
• Rachel Taylor joins Loughborough Lightning coaching team [link]
• Bring on NZ: Wallaroos aim to bust 0-27 record against Black Ferns [link]
• Aoife Corey on the rise in women’s rugby, her first Irish cap, and compliments from Chloe Pearse – ‘It’s a whirlwind of emotions’ [link]
• Toyota agrees to a three-year sponsorship agreement as the Official Mobility Partner of the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Māori All Blacks, All Blacks 7s, Black Ferns 7s, All Blacks XV and U20s [link]
• Rest and recovery: Yapp confirms Sevens stars future in Wallaroo World Cup campaign [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Minako Taniyama Wins SVNS Try of the Year
• Full Credit: Grass Ceilings
• The Rugby Odds: Friday re 7s, Miraculous Saints, Freddy Freeman, MLR, Bordeaux, McKenzie, Highlights
• Banana and Bear’s Rugby Pod: Pope Leo for the Lions