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Black Ferns launch new era under Whitney Hansen
Sport Nation • March 23rd, 2026 10:00 am
Potential Black Ferns debutant Tara Turner at training | Photo: Supplied
Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has named her first 30-player squad for April's Pacific Four Series.
New Zealand will kick-off their campaign in California against the United States, before travelling to Chicago to take on Canada, then heading back down under to face the Wallaroos on the Sunshine Coast.
Twenty players from last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup return, with eight new faces in-line for potential debuts. Among the squad, nine players were also part of the inaugural Black Ferns XV squad in 2023 under Hansen.
Powerful props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu, with dynamic loose forwards Taufa Bason and Mia Anderson have been named after impressing during last year’s Black Ferns XV and Super Rugby Aupiki campaigns.
Halfback Tara Turner has also earned a call-up alongside emerging outside backs Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a and Justine McGregor. In 2024, McGregor was a high school sensation becoming the youngest player selected in the Black Ferns Sevens squad at just 17-years-old.
Rising star Hollyrae Mete-Renata will add depth to the formidable midfield combination of Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Amy Du Plessis.
Mete-Renata, known for her explosive ball-carrying ability and work rate, had a breakout season in 2024 where she earned the Fiao’o Fa’amausilli Medal as Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year and has since become a consistent contributor in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Five Black Ferns who have been playing in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition in the United Kingdom have also been named in the squad.
Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant, Tanya Kalounivale, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Georgia Ponsonby will all travel from England to join the squad in the USA.
Ponsonby, who is still contracted with the Ealing Trailfinders until their season-end has been granted an eligibility exemption by the NZR Board due to injuries at hooker making her immediately available for Black Ferns selection.
“The past few months have been highly competitive in-camp, and this is a testament to all the work they’ve put in throughout the women’s rugby pathway to get to this moment. We’ve got a great mix of experience in this squad, and we can’t wait for our fresh talent to experience their first Black Ferns Test environment,” Hansen said.
“We’re excited to begin our year of an 11-Test calendar, the most-ever games yet for our Black Ferns. PAC4 is a great starting point and provides us with a chance to go and test our game against some of the best in the world.”
Black Ferns squad for Pacific Four Series
Forwards: Maddison Robinson, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu,Chryss Viliko, Vici-Rose Green, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Mo’omo’oga Palu, Laura Bayfield, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Mia Anderson, Taufa Bason, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt.).
Backs: Maia Joseph, Tara Turner, Ruahei Demant (co-capt.), Hannah King, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy Du Plessis, Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Justine McGregor, Mererangi Paul, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a,
Unavailable for selection: Luka Connor (knee), Kaea Nepia (leg), Layla Sae (knee), Santo Taumata (knee).
The Black Ferns are the standard for NZ Rugby | Scotty & Izzy
