Ponsonby credits belief and World Cup hunger for Trailfinders' historic semi-final place

Georgia Ponsonby scored twice as Trailfinders Women defeated Gloucester Hartpury 41-39 last weekend to end the defending champions’ unbeaten league run — dating back to November 2024 — and secure the London club’s first-ever Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final place.

The Black Ferns hooker, who joined Trailfinders ahead of the current season, described the result as a long time coming. “I think the team only lost to Gloucester last year by a small margin and it was the same in our first game against them this year,” the 26-year-old said. “To finally execute and get points on the board and play a semi-decent game that we were proud of was really cool. Making history was a cool moment to be a part of.”

Ponsonby added that she feels “relief” at sealing a play-off spot with one regular-season game still to play, insisting the top four is where Trailfinders “belong”. The club face Saracens this weekend before the knockouts begin, with their semi-final likely to be a rematch against Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm Stadium.

“Anything can happen in a semi-final — the past results of the season mean nothing,” Ponsonby said. “Finals footy is a whole different kettle of fish. It will be a tough job going to Gloucester and playing them at home, but the win against them shows we can do it and adds to that belief.”

Ponsonby is one of several Black Ferns to have joined the English top-flight this season, alongside the likes of Maia Roos, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, and Layla Sae. She cited the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and a desire to keep playing after New Zealand’s title run as the driving forces behind her move to London.

“After playing six games you are only peaking by the time you get to that sixth game and I was like, ‘I want to carry on’,” she explained. “Some of the girls went back to a six-month off-season after the World Cup and I wasn’t really keen on that. I also wanted a change — I have been playing back in Christchurch for the last seven years for the same team, so I just wanted a change of scenery, to live in London and experience meeting new people.”

With momentum from a landmark win and a probable home semi-final for Gloucester Hartpury on the horizon, Trailfinders will head into the knockouts as credible contenders to dethrone the reigning champions.