In a thrilling line up, players from our military partners across the Pacific and around the world will face off in this 15-a-side rugby competition to bond, battle and ultimately fight for the right to call themselves the best.

Australia, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, United Kingdom, and Vanuatu are coming to Auckland, representing their countries and Defence Forces, reflecting how our Forces support our people to follow their sporting passions alongside their professional ones.

Get behind our Defence women, as we celebrate wahine toa (strong women) going head-to-head, bringing you the best in Defence women’s rugby – right here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What are you looking for?

Pool A

France
New Zealand
Tonga
Vanuatu & Papua New Guinea

Pool B

Australia
Fiji
United Kingdom

Match schedule and results

All games are being played at College Rifles Rugby Club, Remuera, Auckland.

Round One

Friday, 7 October
France 10 - 22 New Zealand	Winner: New Zealand	video replay
Tonga 78 - 0 Vanuatu & PNG	Winner: Tonga	video replay
Australia 5 - 65 Fiji	Winner: Fiji
United Kingdom	Bye

Round Two

Tuesday, 11 October
France 51 - 0 Tonga	Winner: France	video replay
New Zealand 96 - 5 Vanuatu & PNG	Winner: New Zealand
Australia 32 - 20 United Kingdom	Winner: Australia	video replay
Fiji	Bye

Round Three

Friday, 14 October
France 137 - 5 Vanuatu & PNG	Winner: France
New Zealand 72 - 0 Tonga	Winner: New Zealand	video replay
United Kingdom 10 - 17 Fiji	Winner: Fiji	video replay
Australia		Bye

Semi Finals

Wednesday, 19 October
Vanuatu & PNG 5 - 91 United Kingdom	Winner: United Kingdom
Fiji 5 - 6 France	Winner: France	video replay
New Zealand 62 - 5 Australia	Winner: New Zealand	video replay
Tonga		Bye

Finals

Tuesday, 25 October
Plate Final: United Kingdom 44 - 11 Tonga	Winner: United Kingdom
Bronze Final: Australia 28 - 36 Fiji	Winner: Fiji	video replay
IDRC Champions: New Zealand 8 - 9 France	Winner: France	video replay

Competition results

IDRC Champions	France (French Armed Forces)
Silver Medal	New Zealand (New Zealand Defence Force)
Bronze Medal	Fiji (Republic of Fiji Military Forces)
Fourth Place	Australia (Australian Defence Force)
Plate	United Kingdom (United Kingdom Armed Forces)

New Zealand catch the ball during a line out in their round two bout against Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea

New Zealand running the ball to the try line in their first match of the competition against France.

New Zealand fends off the defence of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea in their round two match in Auckland.

The International Defence Rugby Competition is the first-ever 15-a-side Defence Women’s rugby competition. The New Zealand Defence Ferns prepare.

Watch the games

Watch live online

Select games will be streamed live (check the schedule above) and can be viewed right here once the games begin.

Watch later online

Games that have been live streamed will be available to view later from our video replay page.

Be there live

All games are being played at College Rifles Rugby Club, Remuera, Auckland. Bring your friends and whānau along to the park and experience the thrill of top-level women's Defence rugby.

Connect on social media

Follow the NZ Defence Force Sport Facebook page (or search 'NZ Defence Force Sport on Facebook) for all the latest competition updates. You can also tag @NZDefenceForce on Instagram.

Images

Download the available event images here. All images must be credited NZDF.

Opening Ceremony

Media release and stories

Follow the NZ Defence Force Sport Facebook page (or search 'NZ Defence Force Sport on Facebook) for all the latest competition updates.

21 October 2022, News & stores: NZ Defence Ferns will battle France to be International Defence Rugby champions
20 October 2022, News & stories: Families reunited by Army service come together on the rugby field
19 October 2022, News & stories: Mum's the word for NZDF rugby in ground-breaking tournament
07 October 2022, News & stories: The first-ever women's International Defence Rugby Competition begins
07 October 2022, News & stories: North Shore sailor follows family and footy dream as tournament kicks off
06 October 2022, News & stories: Auckland Defence Fern to co-lead NZ in international rugby competition
06 October 2022, News & stories: Feilding Defence Fern to co-lead NZ in international rugby competition
23 September 2022, Media release: NZDF hosts first Women's International Defence Rugby Competition

Build a career make best mates

As New Zealand's Defence Force, we run deep. Our shared purpose and experiences forge unbreakable bonds. When you run with us, you'll work as part of a tight-knit team within the Navy, Army or Air Force, protecting your people, your country and the environment.

Find out more