11 nib BLUES NAMED IN BLACK FERNS SQUAD

Eleven nib Blues players have been named in the 31-strong Black Ferns Squad for the remainder of 2026, headlined by Blues loose forward Amarante Sititi, who has earned her first call-up.

Blues and Matatū contribute the joint-largest playing groups to the squad, with 11 players apiece - underlining the strength the Blues has built across Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, the Farah Palmer Cup and now the international game.

A product of Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where she served as Head Girl, Sititi announced herself on the women’s rugby pathway last year with a standout debut Farah Palmer Cup campaign for the Auckland Storm, earning both Auckland Rugby’s Emerging Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards in 2025.

That form carried straight into her first Aupiki campaign in Blues colours, where her explosive ball-carrying and relentless work rate marked her as one of New Zealand rugby’s brightest emerging talents.

Blues first-five Ruahei Demant (54 Test caps) continues in the Black Ferns co-captaincy, leading the side into a pivotal phase of the international calendar as the group builds toward next year’s first-ever British and Irish Lions Women's Tour.

Black Ferns End of Year Squad

Sylvia Brunt (32 Tests)
Ruahei Demant (54) co-captain 
Atlanta Lolohea (11)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (38)
Mererangi Paul (17)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (41)
Amarante Sititi (uncapped)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (9)
Tara Turner (3)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (10)
Chryss Viliko (22)