Hurricanes Poua add three Black Ferns to 2026 Aupiki squad

The Hurricanes Poua have recruited some established talent for their 2026 campaign as the club looks to improve on their winless 2025 season.

The new recruits include two big additions in the front row, with Black Fern Krystal Murray and Test rookie Mo’omo’oga Ona Palu adding plenty of muscle to the prop stocks. Renee Holmes has also made her way down from the Chiefs and has been named as a first-five in today’s squad announcement.

Current Black Ferns Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Iritana Hohaia, and Sam Taylor have all been retained for the new season, and Ireland halfback Molly Scuffil-McCabe is another new addition with international experience.

The bad news for the women from the capital is that Layla Sae is set to miss the 2026 season after sustaining an ACL injury while playing for Harlequins in England last December.

Hooker Tegan Hollows, lock Stacey Niao, and wing Fia Laikong are all transfers from Matatu, while hybrid player Keelah Bodle joins from the Chiefs and Lily Murray-Wihongi from the Blues. Anahera Hamahona arrives in Wellington via the Waratahs, and Jordyn Tihore via the Fijian Drua.

Hinemaringi Scott, Kokako Raki, Neve Angsley, Valini Vaka, Faythe Finau, Brianna Wallace, and Wikitoria Viljoen have all been selected for their debut seasons in Super Rugby Aupiki.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead and guide this season’s Hurricanes Poua campaign,” said new Poua head coach Hayden Triggs.

“The Hurricanes have had a significant mentality shift regarding the environment and resources available to Poua in 2026, with a clear focus on performance and results.

“There have been valuable lessons learned from the previous campaigns and the outcomes achieved. Together, our club is driven to provide an environment and resources for the team to succeed while producing and supporting world-class athletes.

“This season’s roster has been selected to play a game that mirrors our intent and skill set.

“While we have great athletes and talent within our regional boundaries, we have reached far beyond that to bring players in who we trust will be battle-ready and prepared to lay the foundations for a new Poua mindset.

“We have an exciting playing group made up by seasoned veterans, exciting young players, and the core of Poua squads from previous seasons. We can’t wait to connect and align to create something that the Poua, through many tough years, have earned.”

Hurricanes Poua 2026 squad

Props
Faythe Finau
Angel Mulu
Krystal Murray
Mo’omo’oga Ona (Ashley) Palu
Ngano Tavake

Hookers
Tegan Hollows
Valini Vaka

Locks
Stacey Niao
Sam Taylor
Brianna Wallace

Loose Forwards
Neve Angsley
Anahera Hamahona
Greer Muir
Lily Murray Wihongi
Layla Sae*

Utility Forward
Jordyn Tihore

Halfbacks
Paige Lush
Molly Scuffil-McCabe

First-Fives
Te Rauoriwa Gapper
Renee Holmes

Midfielders
Leilani Hakiwai
Kokako Raki
Hinemaringi Scott
Rangimarie Sturmey

Outside Backs
Wikitoria Viljoen
Fia Laikong
Arene Landon-Lane
Ayesha Leti-I’iga
Keira Sua Smith
Iritana Hohaia

Hybrid Player

Keelah Boddle

*Expected to miss 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season due to injury