2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season

Last updated
2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season
Tournament format(s) Round-robin and knockout
Matches played13
Official website Super Rugby Aupiki
← 2024 (Previous)(Next) 2026 →

The 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season is the fourth and current season of the top-flight New Zealand women's rugby union competition, Super Rugby. The season fixtures were released on 20 November 2024, consisting of six rounds and a Grand Final to decide the season champions.

Contents

It was revealed during the season draw that the Super Rugby Aupiki champions would play the champions of the Australian Super Rugby competition, Super Rugby W, at the end of the season. This new competition, which is formatted similarly to a super cup, is called the Super Rugby Champions Final. [1] [2] [3] It will be the first edition of the new competition.

The defending champions are the Blues, who defeated two-time runners-up Chiefs Manawa 24–18 in last seasons (2024) Grand Final. [4] [5]

Teams

New Zealand (location map).svg
Disc Plain red.svg
Disc Plain red.svg
Disc Plain red.svg
Disc Plain red.svg
class=notpageimage|
Team base of the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki teams

Stadia and locations

UnionTeamLocation(s)StadiaCapacity
Auckland Blues Kingsland, Auckland Region Eden Park 50,000
Whangārei, Northland Region Okara Park 30,000
Waikato Chiefs Manawa Hamilton, Waikato Region Waikato Stadium 25,800
Wellington Hurricanes Poua Pipitea, Wellington Region Wellington Regional Stadium 34,500
Upper Hutt, Wellington RegionNZCIS—
Canterbury Matatū Addington, Canterbury Region Rugby League Park 17,104
Nelson, Tasman District Trafalgar Park, Nelson 18,000
Aidanfield, Canterbury Region Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub 1,000

Personnel

TeamCoachCaptain
Blues Flag of New Zealand.svg Willie Walker [6] TBD
Chiefs Manawa Flag of New Zealand.svg Dwayne Sweeney [7] [8] TBD
Hurricanes Poua Flag of New Zealand.svg Fusi Feaunati [9] Flag of New Zealand.svg Jackie Patea-Fereti [10]
Matatū Flag of New Zealand.svg Whitney Hansen [6] Flag of New Zealand.svg Alana Bremner [11]

Ladder

PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDTBLBPtsQualification
1 Blues 0000000000Advance to Grand Final
2 Chiefs Manawa 0000000000
3 Hurricanes Poua 0000000000
4 Matatū 0000000000
Source: Super Rugby Aupiki
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Head-to-head record; 3) Difference between points for and against; 4) Total number of points for.

Matches

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

29 March
14:05 NZDT (UTC+13)
Blues v Matatū
Okara Park [12]
29 March
16:35 NZDT (UTC+13)
Hurricanes Poua v Chiefs Manawa
NZCIS [12]

Round 6

Grand Final

12 April
TBD NZST (UTC+12)
TBDvTBD
TBD

Players

Squads

The following squads were named for the 2025 season. [13] [14]

Blues Women squad [15]
Forwards Eloise Blackwell • Dajian Brown • Oceane Donelley • Sophie Fisher • Holly Greenway • Aldora Itunu • Atlanta Lolohea • Liana Mikaele-Tu′u • Paris Mataroa • Elizabith Moimoi • Lily Murray-Wihongi • Cheyenne Tuli-Fale • Maiakawanakaulani Roos • Awhina Tangen-Wainohu • Harono Te Iringa • Ma′ama Vaipulu • Chryss Viliko
Backs Kahlia Awa • Sylvia Brunt • Krysten Cottrell • Ruahei Demant • Kerri Johnson • Jaymie Kolose • Danii Mafoe • Patricia Maliepo • Daynah Nankivell • Braxton Sorensen-McGee • Tara-Leigh Turner • Katelyn Vaha'akolo • Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Coach Willie Walker
Chiefs Manawa squad [16]
Forwards Mia Anderson • Jade Coates • Luka Connor • Veisinia Fakalelu • Vici-Rose Green • Logan Hauraki • Kate Henwood • Chyna Hohepa • Grace Houpapa-Barrett • Tanya Kalounivale • Grace Kukutai • Krystal Murray • Charmaine Smith • Santo Taumata • Kennedy Tukuafu
Backs Reese Anderson • Ariana Bayler • Kelly Brazier • Renee Holmes • Rosie Kelly • Azalleyah Ma′aka • Kiriana Nolan • Mererangi Paul • Shoshanah Seumanutafa • Hazel Tubic • Ruby Tui • Tenika Willison
Coach Dwayne Sweeney
Hurricanes Poua squad [10]
Forwards Denise Aiolupotea • Forne Burkin • Natalie Delamere • Lavinia Lea • Olioli Mua • Angel Mulu • Joanah Ngan-Woo • Jayme Nuku • Jackie Patea-Fereti • Elinor Plum-King • Layla Sae • Ngano Taveke • Samantha Taylor • Kahurangi Sturmey • Esther Faiaoga-Tilo
Backs Shakira Baker • Raedeen Blake • Teilah Ferguson • Te Rauoriwa Gapper • Leilani Hakiwai • Iritana Hohaia • Harmony Kautai • Ayesha Leti-I'iga • Paige Lush • Cassie Siataga • Rangimarie Sturmey • Monica Tagoai • Payton Takimoana • Isabella Waterman
Coach Fusi Feaunati
Matatū squad [17]
Forwards Laura Bayfield • Alana Bremner (c) • Chelsea Bremner • Grace Brooker • Emma Dermody • Eilis Doyle • Jett Hayward • Tegan Hollows • Lucy Jenkins • Sarah Jones • Pip Love • Kaipo Olsen-Baker • Mo'omo'oga Ashley Palu • Marcelle Parkes • Georgia Ponsonby • Amy Rule • Fiaali'i Solomona
Backs Amy du Plessis • Maia Joseph • Hannah King • Fia Laikong • Martha Mataele • Kelsyn McCook • Hollyrae Mete • Winnie Palamo • Abigail Paton • Chey Robins-Reti • Keighley Simpson • Tayla Simpson • Charlotte Va'afusaga
Coach Whitney Hansen

See also

Related Research Articles

Aroha Savage is a rugby union player. She plays for New Zealand and Auckland. She previously played for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. She has competed for the Black Ferns at three Rugby World Cup's — 2010, 2014 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aldora Itunu</span> Rugby player

Aldora Itunu is a rugby union player from New Zealand. She was part of the Black Ferns team that won the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. She plays for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition, and has made 50 appearances for the Auckland Storm in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Krystal Murray is a dual code international rugby player for New Zealand. She competed for the Kiwi Ferns at the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup in Australia. She then made her test debut for the Black Ferns in 2021, she was a member of their 2021 Rugby World Cup champion squad. She also plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and represents Northland provincially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Rugby Aupiki</span> Womens rugby union competition in NZ

Super Rugby Aupiki is a professional women's rugby union club competition in New Zealand. Its inaugural season was held in March 2022. It is a stepping stone between the Farah Palmer Cup and the Black Ferns. Aupiki translates as ‘the ascent to the upper-most realm’.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matatū</span> Rugby team

Matatū is a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Matatū represents the South Island, specifically the regions covered by the Crusaders and the Highlanders. They are governed by the Crusaders. They were crowned champions of the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.

The 2022 Super Rugby Aupiki season is the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki. The competition commenced on 10 March between Chiefs Manawa and Matatū. On 20 March, Chiefs Manawa were crowned as the inaugural champions of Super Rugby Aupiki after defeating the Blues Women 35–0 in the final round of the competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanya Kalounivale</span> NZ international rugby union player

Tanya Kalounivale is a Fijian-born New Zealand rugby union player. She plays at tighthead prop for Waikato and Manurewa Women’s Rugby Club. She was part of the Black Ferns champion 2021 Rugby World Cup squad. She plays for Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luka Connor</span> NZ international rugby union player

Luka Connor is a New Zealand rugby union player. She was part of the Black Ferns 2021 Rugby World Cup squad that won their sixth title. She plays for Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition; she also plays for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix in the Farah Palmer Cup and club rugby for Rangataua.

Cristo Tofa is a New Zealand rugby union player. She has played two tests for the Black Ferns; she currently plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition, having previously played for the Blues Women.

Leilani Perese is a New Zealand rugby union player. She debuted for the Black Ferns in 2018. She also plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and represents Counties Manukau provincially.

Monica Tagoai is a New Zealand rugby union player. She played three tests for the Black Ferns in 2018. She plays for the Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and represents Wellington provincially.

The Chiefs Manawa are a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

The Blues Women's team is a New Zealand professional women's rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Hurricanes Poua are a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team based in Wellington, New Zealand that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

The 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season was the second season of Super Rugby Aupiki, a professional women's rugby union club competition organised by New Zealand Rugby. The competition ran from 25 February 2023 – when Hurricanes Poua and Chiefs Manawa played the opening match in Levin – to 25 March 2023.

Mererangi Paul is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays for Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and for Counties Manukau in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Rosie Kelly is a New Zealand professional rugby union and rugby league player who currently plays as a centre for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL Women's Premiership.

Lucy Jenkins is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays for Matatū in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and for Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Layla Sae is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and for Manawatu in the Farah Palmer Cup.

The 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season was the third season of Super Rugby Aupiki, a professional women's rugby union club competition organised by New Zealand Rugby. The competition ran from 2 March 2024 – when Chiefs Manawa and Hurricanes Poua played the opening match in Hamilton – to 13 April 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (20 November 2024). "Crossover trans-Tasman Final confirmed as 2025 Super Rugby Women's Draw announced". Rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024.
  2. ↑ Meikle, Hayden (21 November 2024). "Transtasman final for women's teams". Otago Daily Times . Allied Press. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Lester, Ned (20 November 2024). "Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W champions set to square off in 2025". Rugbypass. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "Super Rugby Aupiki final recap: Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa". Radio New Zealand . 13 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024.
  5. ↑ Pearson, Joseph (13 April 2024). "Recap: Blues stun Chiefs Manawa to win Super Rugby Aupiki final". Stuff . Stuff Ltd.
  6. 1 2 "Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads locked in for 2025". superrugby.co.nz. 31 October 2024. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024.
  7. ↑ "Chiefs, Māori All Black Dwayne Sweeney appointed head coach of Chiefs Manawa". chiefs.co.nz. 6 September 2024. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "Adam Thomson and Sona Taumalolo join Chiefs Manawa coaching team for 2025". The New Zealand Herald . New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 5 December 2024. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Hurricanes Poua appoint new Head Coach for 2025". hurricanes.co.nz. 13 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Hurricanes Poua Announce Squad for 2025". hurricanes.co.nz. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "Leadership at Matatū". Matatū. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-02-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Champions Final headlines 2025 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki draw announcement". superrugby.co.nz. 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
  13. ↑ "Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads locked in for 2025". NZ Rugby. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-01-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ "Super Rugby Aupiki squads named for 2025". RNZ. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-02-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ "HOMEGROWN TALENT HEADLINES 2025 nib BLUES SQUAD". Blues Rugby. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-01-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ↑ "Stars return to Chiefs Manawa for 2025 campaign". Chiefs. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-01-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ "2025 Squad Named". Matatū. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-01-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.