Durable Duo Back For Pulse In 2026

Defined by their resilient spirits, midcourter Ainsleyana Puleiata and shooter Khiarna Williams will return to Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for the 2026 ANZ Premiership netball season.

Both have battled well-documented and lengthy injury disruptions during their short careers but now, coming out the other side, are ready to be firing on all cylinders next season.

Dazzling little midcourter Puleiata, 25, has gone through the devastation, and long rehabilitation spells, of suffering three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures in six years (2017 – 2023).

At the tail end of last season, Puleiata completed the last piece of an arduous but eventual triumphant return when given her opportunity with an eye-catching finish to the Pulse’s campaign from the relatively new position of wing defence. She can comfortably play all three midcourt positions.

It’s a similar story for the talented Williams, 22, who joined the Pulse as a training partner in 2023 after recovering from a broken back sustained in a car accident. However, she has suffered a harrowing run over the past two seasons with a succession of injuries that have kept her sidelined for lengthy spells.

For Puleiata, Wellington and particularly Porirua, are home and she loves where she comes from. From a small town (Whakatane), Williams didn’t expect to like living in a city but also loves Wellington and its cultural vibe.

``I’m really happy and excited to be re-signing with the Pulse and to wear the yellow dress again in 2026,’’ said Porirua’s comeback kid.

``It’s still surreal to me that I was literally not long ago rehabbing through my third ACL and to able to come back to the ANZ Premiership with the Pulse and play through this season was definitely a highlight for me.

``I’m now looking forward to having the opportunity to grow my game with new connections and hopefully in different positions.

``And looking to next year, I’m really excited to just hit the ground running with a very new team and will take every opportunity to make new connections with new team-mates and just be a sponge to soak in everything.’’

Able to play both shooting positions, Williams made her mark at an early age, first playing in the National Netball League as a 14-year-old out of Trident High School in Whakatane, the same year she made the NZ Secondary Schools team.

By 2020, Williams had stepped into the elite level with the Magic, showcasing her athletic and aerial skills while always being willing to put the shot up. She is also a former NZ U21 player.

``I’m super happy to be rejoining Pulse for a third season after last season was cut very short by getting that injury two weeks before we started, so I’m just excited to be looking at being out on court next year injury-free,’’ she said.

``My big goals for 2026 are to have a really good off-season for the rest of this year, just get stronger and fitter and come into pre-season in a really great place to be able to play some elite netball.

``With the team ultimately being a very different side next year, that in itself is exciting. I’m very sad to see some of my best friends leaving us but am so happy for them and excited to see what all our journeys look like going forward.’’

Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu has heralded the character of the pair in battling the odds and pushing through the adverse times.

``They are both very talented athletes and we were all delighted with Ainsleyana’s return to the court this year after her terrible run of major injuries. We’re expecting she’ll continue to go from strength-to-strength,’’ she said.

``Fit and healthy, Khiarna has a heap of potential, is still young in her career, and, on the back of hard work and preparation in the off-season, we’re looking forward to seeing that come to fruition next year.’’

© Scoop Media