Champions again: Waikato ready to defend their Farah Palmer Cup crown

Waikato women's rugby is riding a wonderful wave, and 2026 offers the chance to keep it rolling.

The defending champions earned their status the hard way. As RNZ reported, Waikato edged Canterbury 19-13 in a tense 2025 Premiership final at FMG Stadium to claim back-to-back titles, with fullback Kaea Nepia's superb last-gasp cover tackle on Fia Laikong sealing the win. Tries from Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Leomie Kloppers and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a laid the platform for a famous victory.

Captain Chyna Hohepa summed up the effort afterwards, telling RNZ: "We said we would leave everything out here and we exerted so much energy." That willingness to empty the tank has become a defining trait of this proud side.

With the title also comes a treasured piece of silverware to protect. As NZ Rugby noted, Waikato have held the JJ Stewart Trophy since 2024, when they took it from Counties Manukau, and as holders they must defend it in each of their home matches. The trophy is named after the former All Blacks coach and champion of women's rugby, adding a lovely thread of history to every defence.

The first challenge of 2026 comes quickly. The same NZ Rugby preview confirms that in Week 2, Waikato host Auckland at FMG Stadium Waikato with the JJ Stewart Trophy on the line, a repeat of last season's Premiership semi-final and a chance to test themselves against a quality opponent early.

The wider competition has a fresh shape too. NZ Rugby confirmed a move to 12 teams in two pools of six, contesting Premiership and Championship honours, with the season kicking off on 29 August 2026.

For a region that has become the benchmark in women's provincial rugby, the target is simple and inspiring, keep the standards high and the trophies at home. On the evidence of the past two seasons, Waikato will take plenty of stopping once again in 2026.