The RugbyPass 2026 Pacific Four Series team of the tournament

The Black Ferns successfully retained the Pacific Four (PAC4) title with wins over the USA (48-15), Canada (36-14) and Australia (40-5). It was a tournament plagued by storms but saw improvement from the USA, a new strategy from the Black Ferns, and a continued struggle for Australia.

Who would make a PAC4 team of the tournament?

1. Hope Rogers (USA)

The redoubtable loosehead prop scored the first try in all three matches and bagged two in the Eagles’ 33-12 win over Australia, just their second win in 22 matches against sides ranked inside the world’s top ten. A formidable carrier and usually sturdy in the scrum.

2.  Emily Tuttosi (Canada)

Though Canada had some lineout wobbles against the USA, they weren’t enough to suppress a rolling maul that purred like a jet engine. Tuttosi had 13 carries and 16 tackles in the game. Against the Black Ferns, she topped the tackle count with 23 as Canada won 16 of 18 lineouts. Against Australia, she had 13 carries and helped Canada win 19 of 20 lineouts.

3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Black Ferns) 

The absence of 35-Test tighthead prop Amy Rule was offset by the excellent form of Waikato’s Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu. Narrowly ahead 19-15 at halftime, the Black Ferns faced anxiety against the USA when veteran blindside Liana Mikaele-Tu’u was yellow-carded for a shoulder-to-head tackle in the 42nd minute. The Eagles immediately launched a menacing attack inside the Black Ferns’ 22. A massive ruck turnover from tighthead prop Mahutariki-Fakalelu defused it. From the ensuing penalty, the Black Ferns gained favourable field position from which fullback Reene Holmes scored.

Mahutariki-Fakalelu outmuscled America’s Hope Rogers in a robust scrum display. Against Canada, she was similarly effective, adding 11 tackles and two turnovers. In the win against Australia, she came off the bench in the 37th minute and crashed over for her first Test try.

Player Dominant Tackles

1

Kennedy Tukuafu

2

2

Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu

2

3

Georgina Friedrichs

1

4. Maia Ross (Black Ferns)

An indispensable part of the Black Ferns pack, Ross has featured in 41 of the last 44 Tests, winning 30 times. She was the Black Ferns’ chief supplier of lineout possession and ranked in their top five for tackles. In PWR for Trailfinders, she is the league’s most efficient lineout stealer with 1.0 steals per 80 minutes (ranked 1st) and 7 total steals this season (ranked 2nd). Could Ross become the first Black Fern to play 100 Tests? She will lead the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki, the team that has won the last two titles.

5. Julia Omokhuale (Canada)

Can play across the back row. Her raw athleticism is thrilling to watch. She was Canada’s best at openside in the defeat against the Black Ferns with 19 tackles and a near try in the corner following a rampaging charge. Playing lock against the USA, she didn’t look out of place with a dozen carries and tackles.

6. Hann Humphreys (USA)

A real discovery for the Eagles. She had a tremendous debut against the Black Ferns with 13 tackles, four lineout catches and two turnovers. One turnover happened just before the Eagles’ second try. Later, she intercepted a Chryss Viliko pass that almost certainly would have led to a try. Against Canada, she was the Eagles’ leading lineout option and carrier. She also made 13 tackles.

7. Georgie Perris-Redding (USA)

The Eagles captain made a colossal 61 tackles across three games. Against the Black Ferns, she won two ruck turnovers and scored a try in the 33-12 win against Australia. An inspirational figure who ranks among the top ten tacklers in PWR.

8. Kapio Olsen-Baker (Black Ferns)

Was a beast in the Black Ferns’ upset of Canada, scoring two tries and charging for 208 metres. Against Australia, she topped the tackle count with 14. Possibly the best backrow forward in the women’s game, with an extraordinary work rate and the physicality to really intimidate.

9. Justine Pelletier (Canada)

Picked the Americans apart with her calculated snipes and orchestra-like leadership of the forward pack. It was similar in the 24-0 whitewash of Australia. Pelletier is arguably the best halfback in the women’s game, acknowledged in her appointment as captain of Canada.

10. Ruahei Demant (Black Ferns) 

The most obvious change in Demant’s play in 2026 is a proliferation of her kicking. Against Canada, she kicked brilliantly in the second half, turning the Canadian pack around and executing some productive cross-kicks. Demant now holds the records for most Black Ferns Tests captained (38) and won (31).

11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Canada)

Technically a right winger but with a background in Sevens, she has the ability to adapt. Hogan-Rochester scored tries in all three matches, taking her tally to 10 tries in 11 Tests. American Erica Coulibaly and Aussie Desiree Miller had some lively moments.

12. Sylvia Brunt (Black Ferns)

If in doubt, give it to Sylvia Brunt, and she’ll go forward. She consistently punched holes in the American defence and was rock solid against Canada and Australia. Brunt has been one of the first names on the Black Ferns teamsheet since she emerged as an 18-year-old star at the 2022 Rugby World Cup.

Player Turnovers Won

1

Hann Humphreys

2

2

Hallie Taufo'ou

1

3

Georgie Perris-Redding

1

13. Amy Du Plessis (Black Ferns)

A really classy display against Australia, scoring in the fourth minute with her ninth international try. She ranked in the top five for carries (11), metres gained (116), line-breaks (2), and tackles (11). Her exchange of passes for one of Ayesha Leti-I’iga’s two tries was delightful. A silky contrast to the brute power of Sylvia Brunt. She has won 19 of her 25 Test matches.

14. Mererangi Paul (Black Ferns)

Carved the USA up with her second hat-trick against the Eagles. She could have scored five tries but for a handling blemish and bad luck. She scored a vital try to reduce the deficit from 14-5 to 14-10 against Canada. Holds the record for most line breaks in PAC4.

15. Renee Holmes (Black Ferns)

Her haul of 23 points against the USA was the fifth-highest tally by a Black Fern in a Test against the Eagles. An uncertain selection for the Rugby World Cup in 2025, Holmes hasn’t put a foot wrong since her player of the match display in the 42-26 third-placed playoff win against France. Holmes kicked five conversions from six attempts against Australia.