Whitney Hansen resists experimentation in Black Ferns' final team of 2026

The 11th and final game of the Black Ferns’ 2026 season has arrived, and head coach Whitney Hansen has continued to make only minor tweaks to her matchday 23 as she looks to close out her debut season with a 10th win.

The Kiwis dropped an 81-point bomb on France to open the series in Hamilton, but the visitors responded in Whangarei last week by holding their hosts to 31 points in a much more competitive fixture.

The penultimate week of New Zealand’s season saw them lose rising halfback Tara Turner to a concussion while both in-form hooker Atlanta Lolohea and World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Kaipo Olsen-Baker suffered ankle injuries.

Hansen has opted for continuity in some areas as she returns home to Christchurch to lead her team into their first Test at One New Zealand Stadium. A front row of Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu have started both Tests in the series to date and will again be the starting combination in Christchurch. In the backline, Sylvia Brunt and Braxton Sorensen-McGee will also round out the series with three starts at second-five and fullback, respectively.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a have been named for their third starts in the series, though they have shifted positions: Mikaele-Tu’u slides to No.8 to cover Olsen-Baker’s injury, and Tuliau-Tua’a moves back to right wing.

After shining off the bench in Whangarei, Maiakawanakaulani Roos joins Laura Bayfield in the second row this week, with World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Elinor-Plum King replacing Layla Sae at openside flanker. Mia Anderson makes a timely return from injury to start on the blindside flank.

Maia Joseph has reclaimed the No.9 jersey and will partner Ruahei Demant at 10, who will be tasked with delivering a more effective kicking game this week after her coach labelled it a key issue in Whangarei. Ayesha Leti-I’iga is back in the run-on side on the left wing, and Amy Du Plessis returns from injury to start at centre.

“This Saturday is the final opportunity to get behind the Black Ferns, and we encourage fans to arrive early to witness rugby’s future stars in New Zealand’s first-ever U21 women’s fixture against Australia,” said Hansen.

“On behalf of the team, I want to thank everyone who has supported us throughout what has been our biggest year yet. To finish the year playing in front of our fans, on home soil in Otautahi, is a privilege. We don’t take that support for granted, and we’re determined to put on a performance that we can be proud of.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

44

16

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

Black Ferns v France (Test caps bracketed) 

1. Chryss Viliko (28)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (47)
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (13)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (48)
5. Laura Bayfield (14)
6. Mia Anderson (7)
7. Elinor-Plum King (6)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (45)
9. Maia Joseph (26)
10. Ruahei Demant (58) – captain
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (38)
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (39)
13. Amy Du Plessis (31)
14. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (5)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (16)

Reserves

16. Vici-Rose Green (11)
17. Maddison Robinson (9)
18. Santo Taumata (13)
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (17)
20. Amarante Sititi (4)
21. Ariana Bayler (9)
22. Hannah King (20)
23. Mererangi Paul (23)

Unavailable due to injury: Atlanta Lolohea (ankle), Tara Turner (concussion), Kaipo Olsen-Baker (ankle).