Black Ferns touch down to make PWR history

Before Amy Rule was even officially an Exeter Chief, she had been welcomed into the rugby family. 

The 25-year-old is part of a Kiwi invasion descending on Premiership Women’s Rugby this season, with her, Alana Bremner and Georgia Ponsonby the first Black Ferns to ever join the league. 

New Zealand played two of their World Cup matches at Exeter’s home ground of Sandy Park, with Rule able to get to know the city and the fans before she joined up with the squad. 

“It was such a shock, it is such a big rugby city,” the tighthead prop said. “I got recognised so much!  

“It was really cool, it sounds like a really cool rugby city, I am looking forward to connecting with people and celebrating the game we all love so much. 

“I have loved the rich history in England, the old buildings, it is such a beautiful place, I love that at the World Cup we have been all over the show and got a little snippet of every place. 

“I’ve loved experiencing different types of footy, and it has been cool to connect with my teammates, even though they were obviously my competitors, but are my soon-to-be teammates.  

“And just to get to play rugby, that is what I love to do.” 

Rule, a World Cup winner in 2022, played four games for New Zealand at the 2025 edition, but has foregone a contract with the Black Ferns to take up a spot with Exeter. 

It is the same for Bremner and Ponsonby, who will link up with Trailfinders Women this week. 

While all three are moving halfway across the world, they will have someone familiar to support them in the PWR. 

Rule added: “A big part was Liv McGoverne, she is a Kiwi from back home, we have played a lot of rugby together. 

“She is a great person, so I knew that going into a team like that, if she has been part of it for a few years, it is going to be a great environment. 

“It is definitely tough not to play for the Black Ferns, because I love the team, I love the girls, I love the management, I love everything, our values and what we stand for. 

“But I think I am definitely a big believer in taking opportunities and seeing where things take you, and it is something I can always work to try and go back to, especially in the coming years, I know how tough the competition is going to be.” 

Bremner is the same; she sees the PWR as an opportunity to get better with an increased number of games, but also international players littered across every team, something that is not the case in Aotearoa. 

The adjustment for her and Ponsonby will perhaps also be less, with the two continuing to live together, having previously shared a flat in Christchurch with Rule. 

The back row said: “It will be nice, I am a bit nervous being the new kid, so having Georgia with me will be great. 

“She is living with me, and we lived together in Christchurch, so it will be the same flat, different country. 

“I have lived in Christchurch my whole life, so I just wanted to do something different, have a new life experience.  

“My husband and I are moving over, and I am just looking forward to the opportunity to live somewhere different, meet new people, play a bit more rugby and the change of scenery will be exciting.”