Black Fern abroad Layla Sae ruled out of 2026 Super Rugby with injury

The Hurricanes have announced that Layla Sae will miss the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season after suffering a knee injury whilst playing for Harlequins in the PWR.

With the Pacific Four Series now preceding the Super Rugby Aupiki season in the Test calendar, the ACL injury is also set to sideline the rising star for the beginning of the Black Ferns’ season. October’s three-Test home series against France remains a possibility for the versatile loose forward, while September’s historic double-header against South Africa in Johannesburg is likely to be a close call, dependent on her recovery.

Sae was the Hurricanes Poua’s most heavily employed ball-carrier in the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season, and emerged from the season in the top 10 for defenders beaten, and lineouts won, while making the second-most tackles in the competition.

“Layla’s injury is a massive loss to the Hurricanes club. Her energy, relentlessness, humility, and openness have been – and continue to be – a cornerstone of the Poua,” said Poua head coach Hayden Triggs.

“Layla’s contribution and fight for the Poua in the past have been a driver for the changes the club and the team are hoping to build on in Super Rugby Aupiki 2026.

“The club will support her rehab and provide everything she needs to come back the dominant force she aims to be. She will continue to play a big part in our 2026 campaign in a support capacity, which will help the club achieve our goals next year.”