Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen and Assistants Tony Christie, Riki Flutey and Simon Kneebone have announced a 31-player strong squad for the remainder of 2026.
The squad is intended to remain the same for their upcoming match against Black Ferns XV and the remaining eight Tests; the O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa against Australia, against South Africa as part of the RGR tour, and the WXV Global Series (home and away).
Nine changes have been made to the squad named earlier this year for the Pacific Four Series, including five uncapped players off the back of consistent Sky Super Rugby Aupiki performances. Loosehead prop Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi (lock), Elinor-Plum King (loose forward) and outside backs Maia Davis and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a have earned Black Ferns call-ups.
Returning Black Ferns include prop Santo Taumata, who last appeared in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022 winning squad, and centre Alena Saili who makes her first Black Ferns appearance since 2018. Fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee also joins the squad, while loose forward Layla Sae completes a remarkable return after recovering from an ACL injury.
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen congratulates all players who have been selected and praised the standard of rugby on display throughout Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.
“This squad has an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent, finding the right balance was a key part of our selections process. We’re also thrilled to welcome our new Black Ferns, who will bring different strengths to our environment on and off the field,” Hansen said.
“The quality of rugby in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki continues to rise every year. The competition for spots in the squad is stronger than ever, with so many talented players across every position. That’s made selection decisions for us incredibly tough, but it’s exactly where we want the game to be and it’s only going to get harder.”
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu and Jaymie Kolose were unavailable for selection due to injury, while fullback Renee Holmes and wing Katelyn Vahaakolo were also unavailable due to their Black Ferns Sevens commitments.
Hansen said the upcoming matches create an opportunity for the group to put the Black Ferns’ rugby identity to the test, while continuing to build towards the first-ever British and Irish Lions Women’s Tour next year.
“At the start of the year we wanted to bring our brand of rugby to life, and I think we saw that throughout the Pacific Four Series. The next phase is about evolving how we play and staying connected as a group. The challenges ahead will demand more of us, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities of growing from good to great.”
The Black Ferns begin their preparations this week in Wellington to play Black Ferns XV, before travelling up to Auckland for the O’Reilly Cup Test. They’ll then travel offshore from August 28 and return home from October 1 ahead of their home Tests against France at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Black Ferns End of Year squad is (Age, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki club, Provincial Union, Test caps):
Loosehead Props
Chryss Viliko (25, Blues, Auckland, 22)
Maddison Robinson (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 3)
Ngano Tavake (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, uncapped)
Hookers
Vici-Rose Green (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 7)
Atlanta Lolohea (23, Blues, Canterbury, 11)
Georgia Ponsonby (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 40)
Tighthead Props
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (21, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 6)
Mo’omo’oga Palu (24, Hurricanes Poua, Hawke’s Bay, 1)
Santo Taumata (23, Matatū, Bay of Plenty, 7)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25, Blues, Auckland, 41)
Laura Bayfield (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 9)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (23, Blues, Auckland, 10)
Amarante Sititi (19, Blues, Auckland, uncapped)
Loose forwards
Mia Anderson (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 3)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (24, Blues, Auckland, 38)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (24, Matatū, Manawatū, 19)
Elinor-Plum King (22, Matatū, Manawatū, uncapped)
Layla Sae (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 19)
Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (24, Matatū, Otago, 19)
Tara Turner (22, Blues, Northland, 3)
First-five eighths
Ruahei Demant (31, Blues, Auckland, 54) – co-captain
Hannah King (22, Matatū, Canterbury, 13)
Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (22, Blues, Auckland, 32)
Justine McGregor (20, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 3)
Amy Du Plessis (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 25)
Alena Saili (27, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, 5)
Outside backs
Maia Davis (20, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 33)
Mererangi Paul (27, Blues, Counties Manukau, 17)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (19, Blues, Black Ferns Sevens, 9)
Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (19, Chiefs Manawa, uncapped)
Unavailable due to injury: Kennedy Tukuafu (hamstring), Jaymie Kolose (ankle).
