A fresh chapter: the Black Ferns roll through 2026 under Whitney Hansen

The Black Ferns have turned the page on a memorable era and started writing an exciting new one, and 2026 has already given supporters plenty to smile about.

As allblacks.com reported, the team opened its first campaign since the 2025 Rugby World Cup under new head coach Whitney Hansen. Co-captain Ruahei Demant welcomed the change warmly, saying Hansen brings "refreshing ideas while staying true to a lot of the values that this team has held dearly since its inception." Hansen returned the compliment, telling allblacks.com of her skipper: "There's a real humility to who Lu is. Everyone is willing to go to war with her."

That first Test of the year, against the USA in Sacramento, carried a lovely piece of history. Demant led the side out for the 36th time, moving past Fiao'o Faamausili's long-standing record of 35 matches as Black Ferns captain, a milestone noted by allblacks.com as she guided a largely experienced XV.

The results have matched the good feeling. In the 2026 Pacific Four Series, the Black Ferns retained their crown with three wins from three. They began with a 48-15 victory over the USA, then accounted for Canada 36-14 before a commanding display against Australia, results that Wikipedia's tournament record confirms secured a fourth Pacific Four title.

The 40-5 win over the Wallaroos doubled as the opening Test of the 2026 Laurie O'Reilly Cup. According to the match record, tries came from Amy du Plessis, a brace to Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Justine McGregor and Laura Bayfield, while Renee Holmes was reliable off the tee with five conversions from six attempts. It was a performance full of width, work rate and the kind of depth Hansen has been building through the wider squad.

There is plenty still to look forward to. The same record shows the second Laurie O'Reilly Cup Test is scheduled for 22 August 2026 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, giving home fans a chance to see the new-look Black Ferns up close and the Wallaroos a shot at redemption.

With a settled leadership group, fresh coaching energy and emerging talent pushing hard for selection, the Black Ferns look in good heart. The foundations laid across the first half of 2026 suggest the black jersey remains in very capable hands.