Hansen looks to next generation with Black Ferns training camp squad

New Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has named a youthful 41-player squad for a February training camp, which will be her second hands-on time with the team since taking the reins just before Christmas last year.

The camp will be held in Wellington from February 16-27, and will be crucial for national selection purposes as the new calendar now places the Pacific Four Series before the Super Rugby Aupiki season. The February camp will be followed by one more camp in March before Hansen names her first official Black Ferns squad.

Friday’s squad naming includes 19 uncapped players, making up nearly half the group, with plenty of young up-and-comers bringing intrigue at the start of a new Rugby World Cup cycle. Players currently competing in the PWR in the UK or with the Black Ferns Sevens are not included in the training squad.

“These training camps allow us opportunities to build connections, to each other, to what it means to be a Black Fern and to the rugby we are going to play,” the coach explained.

“In January, we had a camp that was solely focused on people and purpose, it was incredibly special for me to be in front of the group for the first time. To see both the athletes and management connect on where we are heading is exciting.

“This next camp will be about the game, our identity on the field and the athletes we need to be to play it. We have a talented group of individuals attending this camp, with amazing leaders as well as some new faces that will play an integral part in this next chapter of the Black Ferns. We can’t wait to see what they can all do together.”

The Black Ferns kick off their 2026 season in the United States, with a showdown with the USA in Sacramento on April 12, followed by a 2025 Rugby World Cup semi-final rematch with Canada in Kansas City. The team will complete their Pacific Four Series schedule on the Sunshine Coast with an O’Reilly Cup clash against the Wallaroos.

Black Ferns February training camp invitees (Test caps)

Mia Anderson
Reese Anderson
Taufa Bason
Laura Bayfield (6)
Ariana Bayler (8)
Chelsea Bremner (24)
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (29)
Luka Connor (24)
Amy du Plessis (22)
Danny-Elle Fesolai
Vici-Rose Green (5)
Leilani Hakiwai
Lela Ieremia
Maia Joseph (16)
Elinor-Plum King
Hannah King (10)
Jaymie Kolose
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (30)
Atlanta Lolohea (10)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (3)
Hollyrae Mete-Renata
Kaea Nepia
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (16)
Moomooga Palu
Winnie Palamo
Marcelle Parkes (7)
Mererangi Paul (14)
Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono
Maddi Robinson
Layla Sae (19)
Presayus Singh
Fiaali’i Solomona
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (10)
Santo Taumata (7)
Sam Taylor
Kennedy Tukuafu (34)
Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a
Tara Turner
Maama Vaipulu (7)
Chyrss Viliko (19)
Holly Wratt-Groeneweg