New Zealand Under 21 squad announced to play Australia NextGen

The squad, supported by the team’s official partner 2degrees, features 19 players who were contracted during Super Rugby Aupiki in 2026 including 19-year-old Blues and Auckland loose forward Taufa Bason, who was called up to the Black Ferns in March ahead of the Pacific Four Series.

Bason is also one of six Black Ferns XV players in the Under 21 squad alongside Keira Su'a-Smith, Amber Mundell, Danny-Elle Fesolai, Lialanie Muamua and Presayus Singh.

Triggs said the squad was a reflection of the depth of talent coming through the women’s pathway and playing in the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Hilux.

“We’ve seen some great rugby in the Farah Palmer Cup and some outstanding performances across the season and that’s been reflected in our selections.

“This is a group of talented athletes and with 19 players having experienced Super Rugby Aupiki in 2026 we have some exceptional young leaders among the group as we head into what will be an historic fixture against Australia.”

Eight different Provincial Unions are represented in the squad with eight players from Auckland and six from Canterbury, and importantly there are eleven players who have come through from the 2025 U20 women’s high performance programme.

The match will be live and exclusive on Sky, as a double-header to the Black Ferns  WXV Global Series Test against France, in what will mark the first time NZR has assembled a national women’s Under 21 squad.

NZR Women's High Performance Pathways Manager Kendra Cocksedge said:

“This squad is the result of a steady build-up of talent in our pathway, through the U18s and U20s programmes and into our Provincial Unions and Aupiki environments. To be the first national age grade women’s players to be selected for an international match is a special moment, and significant for the women’s game.”

The New Zealand Under 21 2026 squad is: (Name, Province / Super Rugby Club)

Props

Amber Mundell, Waikato / Chiefs Manawa
Faythe Finau, Wellington / Hurricanes Poua
Jaden Lauvale, Auckland
Keiana Roffey, Wellington / Hurricanes Poua
Wikitoria Rogers, Canterbury / Matatū

Hookers

Chrissy-Jon Leaoasavaii, Auckland
Danny-Elle Fesolai, Auckland / Blues

Locks

Emily Dale, Otago
Hannah Taimalelagi, Canterbury
Sophie Kerr, Canterbury / Matatū

Loose Forwards

Anahera Hamahona, Manawatū / Hurricanes Poua
Mele Latu’ila, Auckland / Blues
Taufa Bason, Auckland / Blues
Zara Feaunati, Auckland / Blues

Halfbacks

Emacyn Ieremia, Auckland
Malina Leatherby-Miller, Manawatū

First-fives

Ella Henderson, North Harbour / Blues

Midfield

Naomi Sopoaga, Otago / Matatū
Rosie Moffitt, Canterbury / Matatū

Outside backs

Keira Su'a-Smith, Wellington / Hurricanes Poua
Binky Muamua, Canterbury / Matatū
Poppy Baxter, Canterbury / Matatū
Presayus Singh, Auckland / Chiefs Manawa
Sariyah Paitai, Counties-Manukau / Blues

Unavailable due to injury: Kokako Raki, Manawatū / Hurricanes Poua

Unavailable due to Black Ferns or Black Ferns 7s commitments: Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Maia Davis, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Amarante Sititi