A total of 116 players will begin their individual training programmes next month, in the build-up to the fourth season of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.
Among the squads are some of the world’s leading players alongside 17 potential debutants.
Defending champions the nib Blues announced last week the signing of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and will add Black Ferns hooker Atlanta Lolohea and 2022 Rugby World Cup winner Awhina Tangen-Wainohu.
The Hurricanes Poua also welcome some front row fire power with Forne Burkin, Natalie Delamare, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo and Angel Mulu all having international experience in the black jersey. Cassie Siataga bolsters the backline, the Tasman first five-eighths making her Aupiki debut after previously playing Super W in Australia.
International experience joins the Chiefs Manawa by way of sevens exponents Kelly Brazier and Tenika Willison who have both previously played for the club. The Manawa welcome Fijian international Jade Coates, who was part of the Farah Palmer Cup-winning Waikato team, and Canadian international Shoshanah Seumanutafa.
Matatū have lured home Black Ferns Chelsea Bremner and Hannah King and boast five potential debutants including USA representative Jett Hayward.
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki is set to play a key role in the preparation of the Black Ferns in the lead up to the 2025 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Manager Hannah Porter said the competition will be a stage for players to put their best foot forward.
“Every year we see players promoted to the black jersey off the back of standout performances in Aupiki and next year we expect it to be no different.
“The clubs have done a fantastic job identifying a talented cohort of players so fans can start to get excited about next year’s competition,” said Porter.
The Sky Super Rugby Aupiki draw will be announced next month.
2025 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads
nib Blues: Kahlia Awa, Eloise Blackwell, Dajian Brown, Sylvia Brunt, Krysten Cottrell, Ruahei Demant, Oceane Donelley, Sophie Fisher, Aldora Itunu, Kerri Johnson, Jaymie Kolose, Atlanta Lolohea, Danii Mafoe, Patricia Maliepo, Paris Mataroa, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Elizabith Moimoi, Lily Murray-Wihongi, Daynah Nankivell, Maia Roos, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Harono Te Iringa, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Tara Turner, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Chryss Viliko, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Coaches: Willie Walker (head coach), Carlos Spencer (backs), Charmaine McMenamin (forwards)
Chiefs Manawa: Mia Anderson, Reece Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Kelly Brazier, Jade Coates, Luka Connor, Veisinia Fakalelu, Vicki Rose Green, Logan Hauraki, Kate Henwood, Chyna Hohepa, Renee Holmes, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Tanya Kalounivale, Rosie Kelly, Grace Kukutai, Azalleyah Maaka, Krystal Murray, Kiriana Nolan, Mererangi Paul, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Kennedy Tukuafu, Charmaine Smith, Santo Taumata, Hazel Tubic, Ruby Tui, Tenika Willison
* three players to be added
Coaches: Dwayne Sweeney (head coach), Carla Hohepa (assistant)
Hurricanes Poua: Denise Aiolupotea, Shakira Baker, Raedeen Blake, Forne Burkin, Natalie Delamere, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Teilah Ferguson, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Leilani Hakiwai, Iritana Hohaia, Harmony Kautai, Elinor-Plum King, Lavinia Lea, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Paige Lush, Olioli Mua, Angel Mulu, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Jayme Nuku, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Layla Sae, Cassie Siataga, Kahurangi Sturmey, Rangimarie Sturmey, Monica Tagoai, Payton Takimoana, Ngano Tavake, Samantha Taylor, Isabella Waterman
*one player to be added
Coaches: Fusi Feaunati
Matatū: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Grace Brooker, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle, Amy du Plessis, Jett Hayward, Tegan Hollows, Lucy Jenkins, Sarah Jones, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Fia Laikong, Phillipa Love, Martha Mataele, Kelsyn McCook, Hollyrae Mete, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Winnie Palamo, Moomooga Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Abigail Paton, Georgia Ponsonby, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy Rule, Keighley Simpson, Tayla Simpson, Fiaali'I Solomona, Charlotte Va'afusaga
Coaches: Whitney Hansen (head coach), Simon Kneebone (assistant), Jason Kjestrup (assistant)
Key Facts
- Competition debutants: Blues (4) Chiefs Manawa (4), Hurricanes Poua (4), Matatū (5)
- 2024 contracted Black Ferns: Blues (13), Chiefs Manawa (12), Hurricanes Poua (4), Matatū (11)
Former Black Ferns: Blues (4), Chiefs (5), Hurricanes Poua (7), Matatū (3) - There are four International players, Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Canada) and Jade Coates (Fiji) at Chiefs Manawa, Cassie Siataga (Samoa) at the Hurricanes Poua, and Jett Hayward (USA) at Matatū
- 28 players are foundation members of their club preparing for their fourth season, Blues (8), Chiefs Manawa (5), Hurricanes Poua (6), Matatū (9)