Black Ferns hooker Roos warns England: 'We must be prepared to go to dark places'

Maia Roos has issued a steely warning ahead of New Zealand’s upcoming Test against England, insisting the Black Ferns must be willing to “go to the dark places” if they are to end a run of three consecutive defeats to the Red Roses.

Roos is one of just five players in the current Black Ferns squad — alongside Santo Taumata, Georgia Ponsonby, Ruahei Demant and Ayesha Leti-I’iga — to have beaten England in a Test match. That victory came on 12 November 2022, when New Zealand produced a 34-31 upset of the Red Roses in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park, ending England’s world-record run of 30 consecutive Test wins.

Since that final, 1,415 days ago, England have gone unbeaten in 40 consecutive Tests, including three convincing wins over New Zealand: 33-12 in Auckland in 2023, 24-12 in London in October 2024, and 49-31 in Vancouver later that year. The Black Ferns, by contrast, have won all seven of their Tests in 2026 by a combined score of 336-101.

England’s aura of invincibility was dented last Saturday, however, when the 2025 world champions were held to a 26-26 draw by Canada in Exeter — their first failure to win in 40 matches. Roos believes that result carries a clear message.

“Canada’s result shows the growth of rugby at this level,” Roos said. “It was a big occasion and an even match. Canada was very physical, which is a strength of ours. They kept the ball alive and got in behind the Red Roses, playing on top of the defence. We’ll have to be similar.”

The 45-cap hooker sat out New Zealand’s most recent outing, a 52-20 win over South Africa in Johannesburg on 5 September, and the performance raised concerns despite the scoreline. The Black Ferns conceded 17 penalties to six, surrendered four yellow cards, and gave up three tries from lineout drives — areas where England are renowned for their dominance.

“That was a hiccup,” Roos conceded. “South Africa were very strong in their set-piece. I’m confident we’ll be better and have proved that against France and Scotland. We have processes in place and roles assigned to do it right. Stopping the maul is first and foremost about discipline. Then it’s all trust and heart. Sometimes you have to be prepared to go to the dark places.”

Roos has worked hard to sharpen her expertise at the set-piece, spending time with Trailfinders Women in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby. Despite returning home early to compete in Super Rugby Aupiki, she ranked second for lineout steals across the season and credits the experience with developing her as both a technician and a leader.

Roos made her Black Ferns debut in a 56-15 loss to England in 2021 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, a match in which hooker Amy Cokayne scored three tries — the same feat she repeated in the 2022 World Cup final. Her cap tally has since grown from 14 to 45, and with England showing rare vulnerability, the timing of this Test may prove significant.