female
international women
Six Black Ferns XV players were included in the inauguration New Zealand The national team under 21 years ahead of their first match in history on Saturday 31 October.
Ahead of the Black Ferns’ third Test against France as part of the WXV Global Series, New Zealand U21 will play against Australia NextGen at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
The squad, coached by Hurricanes Pou head coach Hayden Triggs, includes Blues and Auckland back row Taufa Basson. The 19-year-old has been involved in the Black Ferns senior squad up front Pacific Four Series and proved himself for the Black Ferns XV earlier this year.
Keira Su’a-Smith, Amber Mundell, Danny-Elle Fesolai, Lialanie Muua and Presayus Singh also represented the Black Ferns XV in the 62-19 defeat of the Black Ferns at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt.
Hayden Triggs, New Zealand U21 head coach, said: “We saw some great rugby in the The Farah Palmer Cup and some outstanding performances during the season and this was reflected in our selections.
“This is a group of talented athletes with 19 experienced players Super Rugby Aupiki In 2026 we have some outstanding young leaders in the group as we head into what will be a historic match against Australia.”
There are also a number of players listed as unavailable due to Black Ferns or Black Ferns 7s commitments, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Maia Davis, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Amarante Sititi all committed elsewhere.
Triggs is supported by former Black Ferns halfback Emma Jensen and former Canterbury head coach Paraki with the U21 team. Jessie Hansen – sister of Black Ferns head coach, Whitney, and daughter of the formerAll black people boss, Steve – has been appointed head of mental performance.
Kendra Cocksedge, NZR Women’s High Performance Pathways Manager, said: “This team is the result of a steady stream of talent coming our way, through the U18 and U20 programs and into our provincial unions and Aupiki environments.
“Being the first player of national age to be selected for an international match is a special moment and significant for the women’s game.”
New Zealand U21 Squad 2026
Forward
Amber Mundell (Waikato/Chiefs Manawa), Faythe Finau (Wellington/Hurricanes Poua), Jaden Lauvale (Auckland), Keiana Roffey (Wellington/Hurricanes Poua), Victoria Rogers (Canterbury/Matatu), Chrissy-Jon Leaoasivall (Auckland) (Auckland/Blues), Emily Dale (Otago), Hannah Taimalelagi (Canterbury), Sophie Kerr (Canterbury/Matatu), Anahera Hamahona (Manawatu/Hurricanes Poua), Mele Latu’ila (Auckland/Blues), Taufa Bason/Auckland/Auckland (Auckland/Auckland)
The back
Emacyn Ieremia (Auckland), Malina Leatherby-Miller (Manawatu), Ella Henderson (North Harbour/Blues), Naomi Sopoaga (Otago/Matatu), Rosie Moffitt (Canterbury/Matatu), Keira Su’a-Smith (Wellington/Hurricanes MatuaCua), (Hurricanes Matuabunter), Poppy Baxter (Canterbury/Matatu), Presayus Singh (Auckland/Chiefs Manawa), Sariyah Paitai (Counties-Manukau/Blues)
