2026 WXV Global Series preview: New Zealand's Black Ferns

The Black Ferns have a stern WXV Global Series campaign ahead of them. Over the next two months, the second-ranked team in the world will take on France four times, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 champions England and Scotland.

For first-year head coach Whitney Hansen, it will be the perfect gauge for how the team has developed under her leadership so far. Since arriving in the post from Matatu, Hansen is unbeaten across five Tests, the most recent of which a 52-20 win against South Africa as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Recent Form

The Black Ferns era under Whitney Hansen, the first female head coach since Vicky Dombroski in 1994 and 1995, has started with a good degree of optimism.

The Pacific Four Series title was retained in April, with victories over the USA Women’s Eagles [48-15], Canada [36-14] and Australia [40-5]. Then on August 22, the Black Ferns thrashed Australia [66-19] to retain the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, achieving their second-highest score against Australia in their 100th Test.

The Black Ferns built new combinations against Australia with the debuts of openside Elinor-Plum King, winger Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, and blindside Amarante Sititi.

King started with 16 tackles and two turnovers, continuing the productivity she showed for Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki where she ranked second for most tackles and inside the top ten for most lineouts won. She scored a memorable hat-trick, just the second in Matatu history, in their record 52-26 opening round victory against Chiefs Manawa at Te Kaha/One New Zealand Stadium.

Amarante Sititi joined her father, Semo Sititi, and older brother, Wallace Sititi, as a rugby international after a breakout campaign for the champion Blues. She scored a try against Australia off the bench, as did Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, one of the few Manawa success stories.

Despite the Chiefs losing every game, Tuliau-Tua’a ranked third in tries [five] and beat the most defenders, gaining the most metres and delivering the most offloads.

Unlike the conservatism that often prevails in All Blacks selections, Hansen has rewarded form. Props Mo’omo’oga Palu and Maddison Robinson, flanker Mia Anderson, halfback Tara Turner, and outside back Justine McGregor have earned their debuts in 2026.

The blooding of new players and the 36-14 victory over Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 finalists Canada have been the Black Ferns’ most positive strides.

When Canada’s lineout rumbled forward and earned a penalty try a minute before halftime, the Black Ferns appeared in deep trouble, behind 14-5 and missing hooker Georgia Ponsonby, who was yellow-carded.

The second-half effort was outstanding, with a noticeable shift in the Black Ferns ‘ physicality and accuracy. After a sustained spell on defence, assured lineout work from Maia Roos, and a swift exchange between backs and forwards, Mererangi Paul closed the deficit to 14-10 with her 18th try in 16 Tests.

Co-captain Ruahei Demant won two ruck turnovers and turned Canada around with cunning kicks. In the 61st minute, the Black Ferns took the lead when powerhouse No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker powered over beside the posts, sideways in the grasp of three. Olsen-Baker had 11 tackles and 208 carry meters in a display to rival her stoic Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final display against Canada. The 24-year-old will be a big miss in Europe.

The straw that broke Canada’s back came in the 64th minute when Tara Turner, on since the 26th minute, sniped into a hole and got the ball back to replacement lock Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, who roared into a yawning hole. Canada hesitated, protesting a knock-on. Vaipulu charged a further 20 metres, her fend on Claire Gallagher sending the full-back sprawling several meters.

Down 24-14, Canada lost their cool. Two panic passes were intercepted by centre Amy du Plessis and Olsen-Baker.

If Vaipulu can improve her discipline, she’s a force of nature. Olsen-Baker could claim to be the best female player in the world. She was a powerhouse in Aupiki and won acclaim from England in previous performances. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u has added lineout play to her already considerable repertoire.

Lock Laura Bayfield, who started the first three Tests of the season, has described the Hansen coaching group as positive, encouraging player feedback and open to innovation. The Black Ferns form is good, and the camp appears happy.

Biggest Tests

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 champions England are clearly the yardstick, with a world-record 38 consecutive wins and 68 wins in their last 69 Tests.

Since the 2022 Rugby World Cup win, England have outscored the Black Ferns 106-55 in three Tests; England achieved their highest score ever against the Black Ferns, 49 in 2024, and in New Zealand, 33 in 2023.

In the historic one-off Test at Allianz Stadium, it was 24-0 to England early in the second half before the gap closed to 24-12. The Black Ferns never had a serious chance of winning. Real progress will be measured by the Black Ferns closing the gap or beating the Red Roses.

The France fixture will preview the series in October, which will be the only international rugby in New Zealand at this time. With a primetime platform, the Black Ferns must perform strongly and win the WXV Global Series match and series against France.

They’ve had the recent edge, winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup third-place playoff 42-26 and an impressive win in Vancouver 39-14 in 2024. France did beat the Black Ferns 18-17 in Wellington in 2023, snapping the Black Ferns’ 16 Test winning streak.

Star Players

Braxton Sorensen-McGee – The Black Ferns are missing a number of their top players for at least the Europe leg of WXV Global Series. One player that is sure to deliver is the incumbent World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The 19-year-old has spent the past 12 months representing the Black Ferns Sevens, but has quickly adjusted back to Test match rugby. A look at her opening try against the Springbok Women in Soweto tells you everything she will bring: excitement, pace, flair and clinical finishing.

Sylvia Brunt – It is very difficult to find a poor performance among Sylvia Brunt’s 35 Test caps for the Black Ferns. In recent years the 24-year-old has forged a formidable midfield partnership with Amy du Plessis, with the duo complimenting one another superbly. Whether it is in defence or attack, you can expect Brunt to deliver in bucketloads.

Prediction

While the Black Ferns have made significant strides under Whitney Hansen, blooding new players, adding a harder edge to their forward play, and expanding their set-piece possibilities with the likes of Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, a regular winner of lineout possession, England remain the benchmark. The Black Ferns might still be a little green in the scrum and managing big matches to topple the might of the Red Roses.