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Find your frequencyWhitney Hansen makes seven changes to Black Ferns lineup for France blockbuster
Henry Lee • October 15th, 2026 10:00 am
New Zealand Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen | Photo: Luke Hastings/Photosport
Whitney Hansen has named her 23-strong Black Ferns side to take on France in Hamilton on Saturday, to continue the 2026 edition of the WXV Global Series.
The Black Ferns return home to face the World No. 4 Test side in a three Test home series, starting at FMG Stadium Waikato this weekend, before the second Test at Semenoff Stadium on Saturday, 24th October, and One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch for the third Test.
Experienced Black Ferns hooker Georgia Ponsonby will captain the run-on side, with co-captain Ruahei Demant in jersey No. 22 named on the bench for impact.
Chris Viliko and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu round out the front row, with Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu named as the two locks.
Hansen has named a dynamic loose-forward trio mixed with experience and youth, led by Liana Miikaele-Tu'u, who is partnered by Elinor-Plum King and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
Maia Joseph and Hannah King get the nod in the all-important playmaking roles, paired with Amy Du Plessis and Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt in the midfield.
The back three has a fresh feel to it, with Hansen naming Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a on the right wing, leaving Mererangi Paul on the bench to provide impact.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores for the Black Ferns v France | Photo: Inpho/Billy Stickland
Ayesha Leti-I'iga and Braxton Sorensen-McGgee round out the starting lineup to take on France in Hamilton.
Hansen acknowledged the leadership of Demant on the team's Northern Tour, and said they have made minor changes to the mix of the bench and starting lineup.
“Building on the momentum from our England performance, we needed to struck the right balance between providing opportunities for our newer Black Ferns, and maintaining the continuity and experience around them to succeed.
“We’ve made changes to who starts and finishes, which will be a focus this campaign. Both are equally important, and we need players who can excel in each.
“I also want to acknowledge Ruahei for the selflessness she showed and significant role she played throughout our Northern Tour. I don’t think we would have had the same level of success we did without her commitment to developing those around her. We’re excited to have her back out on the field, leading and driving our game.”
Black Ferns matchday 23 vs France:
1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby (co-captain), 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Hannah King, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du Plessis, 14. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee .
Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Ngano Tavake, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Laura Bayfield, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Tara Turner, 22. Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 23. Mererangi Paul.
Unavailable due to injury: Mia Anderson (concussion).
