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Five potential debutants named in Black Ferns end-of-year squad
Sport Nation • August 10th, 2026 10:00 am
The Black Ferns performing the haka at Hamilton's FMG Stadium | Photo: Aaron Gillions/Photosport
The Black Ferns have named a 31-player squad for the remainder of 2026, with five uncapped players earning call-ups on the back of strong performances in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi, Elinor-Plum King, Maia Davis and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a are in line to make their Black Ferns debuts.
The squad also features the return of prop Santo Taumata, who was part of the 2022 Rugby World Cup-winning team, while centre Alena Saili returns to the Black Ferns for the first time since 2018. Layla Sae is also back after recovering from an ACL injury.
“This squad has an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent, finding the right balance was a key part of our selection process," head coach Whitney Hansen said.
Hansen said the standard of Super Rugby Aupiki had made selection increasingly competitive.
“The competition for spots in the squad is stronger than ever, with so many talented players across every position.”
The Black Ferns will begin preparations in Wellington this week before facing the Black Ferns XV and then Australia in the O’Reilly Cup in Auckland.
They will also play Tests against South Africa and in the WXV Global Series later in the year.
Co-captains Kennedy Tukuafu and Jaymie Kolose are unavailable through injury, while Renee Holmes and Katelyn Vahaakolo are committed to Black Ferns Sevens.
Black Ferns squad 2026
Loosehead props: Chryss Viliko, Maddison Robinson, Ngano Tavake
Hookers: Vici-Rose Green, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby
Tighthead props: Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Mo’omo’oga Palu, Santo Taumata
Locks: Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Laura Bayfield, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Amarante Sititi
Loose forwards: Mia Anderson, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Elinor-Plum King, Layla Sae
Halfbacks: Maia Joseph, Tara Turner
First-five eighths: Ruahei Demant, Hannah King
Midfield: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Justine McGregor, Amy Du Plessis, Alena Saili
Outside backs: Maia Davis, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Mererangi Paul, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a
The Black Ferns are the standard for NZ Rugby | Scotty & Izzy
