News & Features International Scotland Women

Scouting the Black Ferns: Whitney Hansen’s New Zealand Squad

15 Sep 2026

As the Black Ferns come to Edinburgh for the first time in their illustrious history, take a look at the squad that will face Scotland in the second game of the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series.

Scotland Women welcome the Black Ferns to Edinburgh on Saturday 19 September for a landmark fixture. Arriving in the capital for the first time in their history, the Black Ferns come into this match on the back of an impressive seven-game winning streak, including a statement 28-14 victory over France in Lyon this past weekend in the WXV Global Series. With a formidable 31-player squad touring Europe, the visitors bring a combination of set-piece physicality and open-field pace to Hive Stadium.

Under the guidance of Hansen

Head Coach Whitney Hansen has injected fresh tactical intent and ambition into the Black Ferns programme since taking the helm at the tail end of 2025. Hansen’s strategy bridges the gap between traditional New Zealand offloading flair and structured, territorial discipline, a balance clearly demonstrated in their clinical, kicking-focused performance against France.

Hansen’s squad selection, which is instated through all Black Ferns games until the end of 2026, features notable veterans from the 2021 World Cup winning squad as well as new talent, with five uncapped stars emerging. The squad relies on the continuity of an established core while integrating exciting players from the HSBC SVNS circuit.

Key players for New Zealand

The Black Ferns roster boasts a high level of individual quality and leadership across the positional groups, including co-captain and 54-cap veteran fly-half Ruahei Demant.

Out wide, Scotland’s defensive edge will be tested by some of the most clinical runners in world rugby. Winger Mererangi Paul enters the fixture with an incredible strike rate of 19 tries in 20 Tests, paired with powerful forwards Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Mia Anderson who set the tone for the New Zealand attack in their WXV Global Series opener. Notably, Black Ferns back row forward Layla Sae has also made her return to Test Rugby after 20 months injured.