The 2026 Hilux Farah Palmer Cup season is right around the corner, bringing together a new group of athletes, a fresh sense of belief and another opportunity for our Canterbury woman to chase the much sought after title.

Lacing up for the first time next weekend Canterbury welcome Auckland to Rugby Park for Round One, with free entry for the entire community! There is no better way to start opening weekend than by packing the Park in red and black and for Head Coach Solomona Paraki, there is plenty to be fizzed about.

“I am really excited with the group we have assembled. A strong cohort from 2025 have returned this year which hasn’t been the case in the previous seasons. It's a good mix of experienced athletes, some young athletes who are joining us for the first time, and athletes who have proudly served our province and are coming back once again, it's pretty special.”

For Paraki, bringing together a group with strong connections to the Canterbury rugby community is a key part of this campaign. The Farah Palmer Cup provides more than an opportunity to represent your province, it's a platform to develop, compete at a high level and inspire the next generation of women and girls. After coming so close in recent seasons, this group has unfinished business, with a clear ambition to take the next step and go all the way in 2026.

Meet Your 2026 Farah Palmer Cup Squad Presented by Hilux

FORWARDS

Props

- Peleoiga Loto / Linwood

- Pip Love / Christchurch

- Amy Milnes / HSOB

- Wikitiora Rogers / Lincoln University

- Maelle Rossignol / HSOB

- Erana Te Moananui / University of Canterbury

Hookers

- Holly Greenway / University of Canterbury

- Nicole Purdom / University of Canterbury

Locks

- Emma Dermody / Christchurch

- Sophie Kerr / Lincoln University

- Stephanie Svaikauskas / University of Canterbury

Loose Forwards

- Maisy Allen / HSOB

- Neve Anglesey / Linwood

- Libby Drummond / University of Canterbury

- Lucy Jenkins / Christchurch

- Paris Lokotui / New Brighton

- Fiaali’i Solomona / Linwood

- Dormay Laufiso / University of Canterbury

BACKS

Halfbacks

- Rosie Buchanan-Brown / HSOB

- Kelsyn McCook / University of Canterbury

First Five-Eighths

- Poppy Baxter / HSOB

- Terauoriwa Gapper / New Brighton

- Rosie Moffitt / Lincoln University

Midfielders

- Grace Brooker / HSOB

- Harriet Cochrane / Lincoln University

- Charntay Poko / New Brighton

- Riko Yoshida / HSOB

Outsides

- Louise Blyde / Lincoln University

- Lialanie Binky Muamua / Linwood

- Winnie Palamo / HSOB

- Amaelia Tiatia / Linwood

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‍Coaching Staff

- Solomona Paraki / Head Coach

- Mark Croft / Assistant Coach

- Craig Sneddon / Assistant Coach

- Angie Sise / Assistant Coach

- Pip Love / Player/Assistant Coach

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The journey begins at home, and we need all of Canterbury there! Sunday, 30 August at 2.05pm you're invited to be part of red and black nation FOR FREE!
It's the perfect opportunity to get behind the new-look squad and Pack Rugby Park with provincial pride.

Three weeks on the road then leads us to a historic moment where Canterbury's Farah Palmer Cup side will run out at One NZ Stadium for the first time. Taking on Waikato in a special double-header alongside Canterbury's NPC fixture against Southland, rural round is set to entertain on and off the field.
With one ticket getting you access to both matches, the occasion is another exciting step for the women's game and part of Canterbury Rugby's focus on creating match-day experiences that extend beyond the 80 minutes on the field.

There is plenty of history behind Canterbury women's rugby, but this group is focused on creating its own chapter. Tickets for the double header are on sale now, and you can check the full FPC fixtures here ahead of next Sundays opener.

See you there!