Whitney Hansen unveils new-look Black Ferns squad for remainder of 2026

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has revealed her 31-strong squad for the rest of 2026, making nine changes from the Pacific Four Series.

Hansen’s side will take on the Black Ferns XV this Friday at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt, before beginning to prepare for the O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa against Australia.

The Black Ferns will then face South Africa as part of the RGR tour, before the WXV Global Series gets underway in September against France.

The nine changes feature several standout performers from Super Rugby Aupiki, including Chiefs outside back Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Blues lock Amarante Sititi, loosehead prop Ngano Tavake, loose forward Elinor-Plum King, and Matatu outside-back Maia Davis.

Alena Saili returns to the Black Ferns environment for the first time since 2018, while Santo Taumata also features for the first time since the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2022.

Barnstorming loose-forward Layla Sae has recovered from an ACL injury she sustained with Harlequins in 2025 and will return to the Black Ferns squad for the rest of 2026.

Hansen praised the standard of rugby on display throughout the 2026 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition, which challenged the selectors in several ways.

“This squad has an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent; finding the right balance was a key part of our selection process. We’re also thrilled to welcome our new Black Ferns, who will bring different strengths to our environment on and off the field,” Hansen said.

“The quality of rugby in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki continues to rise every year. The competition for spots in the squad is stronger than ever, with so many talented players across every position. That’s made selection decisions for us incredibly tough, but it’s exactly where we want the game to be, and it’s only going to get harder.”

“At the start of the year we wanted to bring our brand of rugby to life, and I think we saw that throughout the Pacific Four Series. The next phase is about evolving how we play and staying connected as a group.

“The challenges ahead will demand more of us, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities of growing from good to great.”

Black Ferns End of Year squad is (Age, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki club, Provincial Union, Test caps):

Loosehead Props 
Chryss Viliko (25, Blues, Auckland, 22)
Maddison Robinson (25, Matatu, Canterbury, 3)
Ngano Tavake (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatu, uncapped)

Hookers
Vici-Rose Green (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 7)
Atlanta Lolohea (23, Blues, Canterbury, 11)
Georgia Ponsonby (26, Matatu, Canterbury, 40)

Tighthead Props 
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (21, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 6)
Mo’omo’oga Palu (24, Hurricanes Poua, Hawke’s Bay, 1)
Santo Taumata (23, Matatu, Bay of Plenty, 7)

Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25, Blues, Auckland, 41)
Laura Bayfield (27, Matatu, Canterbury, 9)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (23, Blues, Auckland, 10)
Amarante Sititi (19, Blues, Auckland, uncapped)

Loose forwards
Mia Anderson (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 3)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (24, Blues, Auckland, 38)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (24, Matatu, Manawat?, 19)
Elinor-Plum King (22, Matatu, Manawatu, uncapped) 
Layla Sae (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatu, 19)

Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (24, Matatu, Otago, 19)
Tara Turner (22, Blues, Northland, 3)

First-five eighths 
Ruahei Demant (31, Blues, Auckland, 54) – co-captain
Hannah King (22, Matatu, Canterbury, 13)

Midfield 
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (22, Blues, Auckland, 32)
Justine McGregor (20, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 3)
Amy Du Plessis (27, Matatu, Canterbury, 25)
Alena Saili (27, Matatu, Black Ferns Sevens, 5)

Outside backs
Maia Davis (20, Matatu, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 33)
Mererangi Paul (27, Blues, Counties Manukau, 17)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (19, Blues, Black Ferns Sevens, 9)
Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (19, Chiefs Manawa, uncapped) 

Unavailable due to injury: Kennedy Tukuafu (hamstring), Jaymie Kolose (ankle).