Black Ferns XV name 23-strong squad to battle Black Ferns in Wellington

Blair Baxter has included five capped Black Ferns in his Black Ferns XV squad ahead of this weekend’s one-off clash.

On Friday afternoon, the Black Ferns XV will take on the Black Ferns at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt, Wellington. Nine players who represented the Black Ferns XV in 2025 have been selected in Whitney Hanson’s Black Ferns squad for upcoming O’Reilly Cup, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and WXV Global Series fixtures.

“This is a strong squad that has a balance of talent and potential with a shared ambition of representing the Black Ferns,” Baxter said.

“This fixture is a great opportunity for these players to experience what will look and feel like a Test week. It’s also a chance for us to establish a solid foundation for Black Ferns XV as we build towards the first-ever British & Irish Lions Women’s Series next year.”

Angel Mulu, Natalie Delamere, Tafito Lafaele, Ariana Bayler and Grace Brooker have all previously earned Test caps for the Black Ferns. Both Taufa Bason and Sam Taylor have previously been named in wider Black Ferns squad.

Blair Baxter, who coached Matatu to a runners-up finish in Super Rugby Aupiki this year, will be assisted by former Black Ferns Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa and Charmaine McMenamin.

The Black Ferns XV squad to play the Black Ferns

Loosehead props
Angel Mulu (Hurricanes Poua, Bay of Plenty)*
Amber Mundell (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)

Hookers
Natalie Delamere (Matat?, Bay of Plenty)*
Holly Wratt-Groeneweg (Matat?, Canterbury)

Tighthead props
Lonita Ngalu-Lavamai (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono (Blues, Auckland)

Locks
Sam Taylor (Hurricanes Poua, Manawat?)
Paris Lokotui (Matat?, Canterbury)
Emma Dermody (Matat?, Canterbury)

Loose forwards
Taufa Bason (Blues, Auckland)
Danny-Elle Fesolai (Blues, Auckland)
Leata Puni-Lio (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Tafito Lafaele (Blues, Auckland)*
Sarah Jones (Matat?, Otago)

Inside backs
Ariana Bayler (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)*
Kelsyn McCook (Matat?, Canterbury)
Arene Landon Lane (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Grace Brooker (Matat?, Canterbury)*
Hollyrae Mete-Renata (Blues, Auckland)
Kokako Raki (Hurricanes Poua, Bay of Plenty)

Outside Backs
Hinemarangi Scott (Hurricanes Poua, Waikato)
Wikitoria Viljoen (Hurricanes Poua, Manawat?)
Winnie Palamo (Matat?, Canterbury)
Lialanie Muamua (Matat?, Canterbury)
Presayus Singh (Chiefs Manawa, Auckland)

*capped Black Fern