Blair Baxter leads star studded Black Ferns XV coaching group

Blair Baxter has been announced as the Black Ferns XV Head Coach for 2026-2027 alongside a trio of Black Ferns greats in Assistant Coaches Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa and Charmaine McMenamin.

Matatū Head Coach Baxter will lead the Black Ferns XV 2026 high-performance campaign including a match against the Black Ferns on 14 August, and an historic fixture against the British & Irish Lions next year.

Baxter has worked in the women’s pathway space for more than a decade, growing, and developing the pathway for women’s players and coaches, including the national U18 and U20 programmes. He won the ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year award in 2022, a Super Rugby Aupiki title with Matatū in 2023, and guided Canterbury to three consecutive Farah Palmer Cup championships.

“The Black Ferns XV is an important part of the women’s professional rugby pathway and with a fixture against the British & Irish Lions next year on the calendar it’s an exciting time to be involved.

“I’m working with three of the best Black Ferns to wear the jersey as players, but they are also a reflection of the quality of coaches coming through the pathway. Kelly, Carla and Charmaine have collectively won six Rugby World Cups and played 103 Tests, so bring a vast amount of experience and knowledge to the group.”

Brazier, who has played 44 Tests and won two World Cups (2010, 2017) as well as an Olympic Gold medal in Sevens at Tokyo in 2020, officially retired as a player earlier this year. A gifted playmaker, she transitioned into coaching in 2023 and has recently been the Assistant Coach for the Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki. She has also been with the Black Ferns recently as a developing coach and will spend further time in the environment during their 2026 campaign.

Hohepa, 28 Tests, was also a World Cup winner in 2010 and 2017. An elusive wing she was a try scoring sensation with two on debut against Australia in 2007 and crossed for seven tries during the 2010 World Cup. She moved into coaching in 2024 as an Assistant Coach with the Chiefs Manawa and Waikato Rugby.

McMenamin (Ngāti Porou), 31 Tests, lifted the World Cup in 2017 and 2021. A dynamic loose forward, she was the Black Ferns Player of the Year in 2019. In 2024 she moved into coaching as the Blues Women’s Forwards Coach and has also held an Assistant Coach role with the Auckland Storm.

The Black Ferns XV coaching group will announce their squad to play the Black Ferns in August.

The 2026 Black Ferns XV coaching and management group is:

Head Coach: Blair Baxter
Assistant Coaches: Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa, Charmaine McMenamin
Manager: Meghan Robinson
Performance Analysts: Mitch Logan, Tandi Keet
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Jack Kovacs
Physiotherapist: Courtney Wilson
Doctor: Anika Tiplady
Performance Psychologist: Jessie Hansen
HP Player Development Manager: Joe Payton
HP Coordinator: Lauren Cournane