The 2026 Super Rugby Women’s squads have been confirmed ahead of the upcoming season, with a host of transfers between the five teams.
The Waratahs enter as the team to beat after their second straight title, with the six-time champions opening the season against the Fijian Drua at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday 6 June.
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Sevens star Tia Hinds has been included in the squad, serving as a timely replacement for the departed Arabella McKenzie.
It comes after the schedule was pushed back to align with the global calendar, with further Sevens involvement pending availability.
Hinds is one of several capped Wallaroos in the squad, with 12 featuring as part of the Pacific Four series.
There are 24 of last year’s title-winning squad returning in 2026, exciting coach Michael Ruthven.
“The coaching group are really excited with the make-up of the Waratahs squad for 2026,” Ruthven said. “Retention was again a priority for building out our squad for this season and we are pleased that so many of our players continue to show trust in the Waratahs program.”
They face stiff competition from across the country and Fiji, with several teams making notable signings.
Queensland Reds stalwart Ivania Wong has moved to the ACT Brumbies, who is joined by NSW Waratahs hooker Millie Parker.
Spanish International scrum-half Anne Fernandez de Corres joins the team for the 2026 season, while 2025 Wallaroo of the Year Tabua Tuinakauvadra is set to return from a meniscus injury after missing the Pac Four series.
“We feel squad reflects the sustained strength of our pathways, with emerging local talent stepping into this environment with confidence, supported by world class internationals who understand what’s required at this level day in and day out," new Brumbies head coach James Erwin believes.
The Reds have opted to promote from within, adding a host of players from the title-winning Bondi Uni era to the squad.
There’s a significant military presence, with five forwards with Australian Defence Force backgrounds, while recent Wallaroos debutants Dillyn Blackburn and Ava Wereta are set for increased roles.
“As with any season, there has been a pretty big turnover of names. What I do like is that we have done well to identify local talent and got some real plusses out of integration with the Next Gen 7s program,” coach Andrew Fraser said.
For the Force, they were boosted with confirmation that Wallaroos legend Trilleen Pomare will suit up for the 2026 season after her Test retirement earlier on Tuesday.
She is one of 13 players capped internationally, including Japan international back-rower Seina Saito and Katalina Amosa, who will miss the season due to a knee injury.
Fly-half Nicole Ledington and winger Brooklyn Teki-Joyce are newly capped Wallaroos, while they have also recruited Hurricanes Poua forward Kahurangi Sturmey.
The Drua round out the list and loom as a formidable team stacked with Fijian international talent.
There are 18 capped Fijiana 15s players from the 2025 Rugby World Cup, while standout speedster Atelini Buna is a massive return after lighting up Super Rugby W with six tries in her debut season in 2024.
There are 12 new inclusions, with Manuqalo Komaitai, Verenaisi Ditavutu and Michellae Stolz coming into the squad with World Cup experience.
Ash Fernandez, Chioma Enyi, Easter Savelio, Iris Verebalavu, Jane Morrison, Jess Grant, Lily Bone, Linda Emelio, Martha Fua, Mille Parker, Rayna Ellis, Siokapesi Palu Sekona, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tania Naden, Tenniah Papa, Tessa Good, Thalia Uilelea
Anne Fernandez de Corres, Ash Bishop, Bonnie Brewer, Ella Ryan, Faitala Molea, Georgie Hayes, Ivania Wong, Makenna Ravouvou, Manu'a Moleka, Merania Paraone, Paula Lee Goin, Savannah Roberts-Hickling
Keri Lawavou, Elesi Saukuru, Karalaini Naisewa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Zipporah Sorokacika, Bitila Tawake, Keleni Marawa, Selai Naliva, Alfreda Fisher, Carletta Yee, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Daunimoala, Vilisi Tivalele, Salaseini Railumu, Manuqalo Komaitai, Sulita Waisega
Evivi Senikarivi, Kolora Lomani, Imeri Nai, Salanieta Kinita, Varanisese Qoro, Josivini Naihamu, Merewairita Neivosa, Ruth Raketekete, Vika Nakacia, Vani Arei, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Atelaite Buna, Aqela Raitubu, Ivamere Nabura, Michellae Stolz, Litiana Vueti, Repeka Tove
Ruby Anderson, Emily Chancellor, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Grace Gillies, Taj Heald, Brianna Hoy, Seneti Kilisimasi, Kaitlan Leaney, Brittany Merlo, Tahlia Morgan, Leilani Nathan, Nicole Nathan, Bridie O’Gorman, Faliki Pohiva, Emily Robinson. Adiana Talakai, Siusiuosalafai (Nancy) Volkman
Edie Burke, Waiaria Ellis, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Martha Harvey, Tia Hinds, Paris Ingegneri, Pleuni Keivit, Desiree Miller, Makenzi Nelson, Maya Stewart, Lusiana Vesikula, Amelia Whitaker
Jemma Bemrose, Dillyn Blackburn, Bree-Anna Browne, Hayley Glass, Zoe Hanna, Ella Hooper, Matauimalo Malele Lafeta, Tiarah Minns, Tiarna Molly, Jordan Neal, Sarah Riordan, Deni Ross, Zophronia Setu, Lucy Thorpe
Backs
Lori Cramer, Sarah Dougherty, Margaux Duces, Piper Dlynn, Akira, Kelly, Kaelyn Passi, Evie Sampson, Aroha Spillane, Caitlin Urwin, Awa Wereta, Charity Wightman-Beaven
Katalina Amosa, Zoe Elliott, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Chiharu Nezuka, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Allana Sikimeti, Braxton Walker, Nami Dickson, Michaela Leonard, Sera Naiqama, Seina Saito, Anneka Stephens, Kahurangi Sturmey, Sofaia Talemaira, Pia Tapsell, Taylor Waterson
BACKS
Ai Dickson, Grace Freeman, Nicole Ledington, Sammy Wood, Atawhai Hotene, Ngamihi Monk, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa, Adi Vani Buleki, Halley Derera, Teiana Mainwaring, Ella Pietsch, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Aiysha Wigley
