Six Black Ferns XV players named in historic New Zealand U21 squad

Six Black Ferns XV players have been included in the inaugural New Zealand Under-21 squad ahead of their first-ever fixture on Saturday 31 October.

Ahead of the Black Ferns’ third Test against France as part of WXV Global Series, New Zealand U21 will play against Australia NextGen at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

The squad, coached by Hurricanes Poua head coach Hayden Triggs, includes Blues and Auckland back-row Taufa Bason. The 19-year-old was included in a senior Black Ferns squad ahead of the Pacific Four Series and turned out for the Black Ferns XV earlier this year.

Keira Su’a-Smith, Amber Mundell, Danny-Elle Fesolai, Lialanie Muamua and Presayus Singh also represented the Black Ferns XV in a 62-19 loss to the Black Ferns at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt.

Hayden Triggs, New Zealand U21 head coach, said: “We’ve seen some great rugby in the Farah Palmer Cup and some outstanding performances across the season and that’s been reflected in our selections.

“This is a group of talented athletes and with 19 players having experienced Super Rugby Aupiki in 2026 we have some exceptional young leaders among the group as we head into what will be an historic fixture against Australia.”

There are also a number of players listed as unavailable due to Black Ferns or Black Ferns 7s commitments too, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Maia Davis, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Amarante Sititi all engaged elsewhere.

Triggs is being supported by former Black Ferns half-back Emma Jensen and former Canterbury head coach Paraki with the U21 squad. Jessie Hansen – sister of Black Ferns head coach, Whitney, and daughter of ex-All Blacks boss, Steve – has been appointed mental performance lead.

Kendra Cocksedge, NZR Women’s High Performance Pathways Manager, said: “This squad is the result of a steady build-up of talent in our pathway, through the U18s and U20s programmes and into our Provincial Unions and Aupiki environments.

“To be the first national age grade women’s players to be selected for an international match is a special moment, and significant for the women’s game.”

New Zealand U21 2026 squad

Forwards
Amber Mundell (Waikato/Chiefs Manawa), Faythe Finau (Wellington/Hurricanes Poua), Jaden Lauvale (Auckland), Keiana Roffey (Wellington/Hurricanes Poua), Wikitoria Rogers (Canterbury/Matatu), Chrissy-Jon Leaoasavaii (Auckland), Danny-Elle Fesolai (Auckland/Blues), Emily Dale (Otago), Hannah Taimalelagi (Canterbury), Sophie Kerr (Canterbury/Matatu), Anahera Hamahona (Manawatu/Hurricanes Poua), Mele Latu’ila (Auckland/Blues), Taufa Bason (Auckland/Blues), Zara Feaunati (Auckland/Blues)

Backs
Emacyn Ieremia (Auckland), Malina Leatherby-Miller (Manawatu), Ella Henderson (North Harbour/Blues), Naomi Sopoaga (Otago/Matatu), Rosie Moffitt (Canterbury/Matatu), Keira Su’a-Smith (Wellington/Hurricanes Poua), Binky Muamua (Canterbury/Matatu), Poppy Baxter (Canterbury/Matatu), Presayus Singh (Auckland/Chiefs Manawa), Sariyah Paitai (Counties-Manukau/Blues)