Fans are set to be entertained by the 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season with four strong, exciting squads named today.
A total of 120 players have begun their individual training programmes for the competition, with extended contracts ensuring all players have access to a 12-week training schedule before the season kicks off.
New and returning talent will set the competition alight and there is international experience peppered across the four squads.
Chiefs Manawa have made the most notable gains, with the return of Ruby Tui and Chelsea Semple, while Black Ferns Ariana Bayler from the Blues, Krystal Murray from the Hurricanes and Grace Steinmetz and Renee Holmes from Matatū all join their ranks.
Capped Black Fern Kaipo Olsen-Baker moves south from the Hurricanes Poua to Matatū, while former Black Ferns Sevens star Niall Williams-Guthrie joins the Blues.
The Hurricanes Poua welcome back former Black Fern prop Leilani Perese after the birth of her first child and have two of the standout performers from the 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season in Layla Sae and Iritana Hohaia.
International talent includes Fiji’s Bitila Tawake and Japan’s Seina Saito joining Chiefs Manawa and Charlotte Woodman signing with Matatū by way of the Exeter Chiefs in England.
New Zealand Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Manager Hannah Porter said;
“It’s great to see so many strong performers from the Farah Palmer Cup rewarded with their first contracts.
“This competition is proving to be a great stepping stone for our players as they strive for higher honours and with the extended preparation window for our players, we are looking forward to seeing the positive influence that will have on the competition.”
The Sky Super Rugby Aupiki draw will be announced next week.
2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads
Blues: Kahlia Awa, Eloise Blackwell, Dajian Brown, Sylvia Brunt, Rebecca Burch, Krysten Cottrell, Ruahei Demant, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Sophie Fisher, Grace Gago, Aldora Itunu, Kerri Johnson, Jaymie Kolose, Patricia Maliepo, Paris Mataroa, Charmaine McMenamin, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai, Liana Mikaele Tu’u, Elizabith Moimoi, Daynah Nankivell, Alakoka Po’oi, Mel Puckett, Maddi Robinson, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Tara-Leigh Turner, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maama Vaipulu, Chryss Viliko and Niall Williams-Guthrie
Chiefs Manawa: Reese Anderson, Mia Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Chelsea Bremner, Luka Connor, Georgia Thompson (nee Daals), Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland, Kate Henwood, Chyna Hohepa, Renee Holmes, Tanya Kalounivale, Grace Kukutai, Azalleyah Maaka, Victoria Makea, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Krystal Murray, Apii Nicholls, Merania Parone, Mererangi Paul, Te Uru Pounamu McGarvey, Vici-Rose Green, Seina Saito, Chelsea Semple, Kennedy Simon, Charmaine Smith, Grace Steinmetz, Bitila Tawake, Hazel Tubic, Ruby Tui, Olive Watherston
Hurricanes Poua: Shakira Baker, Tamia Edwards, Maddie Feaunati, Teilah Fergusson, Rhiarna Ferris, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Leilani Hakiwai, Iritana Hohaia, Tori Iosefo, Harmony Kautai, Hannah King, Marilyn Fanoga (nee Live), Paige Lush, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Leilani Perese, Elinor Plum-King, Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono, Holly-Rae Mete, Rachael Rakatau, Layla Sae, Rangimarie Sturmey, Kahurangi Sturmey, Monica Tagoai, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Samantha Taylor, Cristo Tofa, Isabella Waterman
Matatū: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Grace Brooker, Georgia Cormick, Cheyenne Cunningham, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle, Amy du Plessis, Di Hiini, Tegan Hollows, Lucy Jenkins, Maia Joseph, Rosie Kelly, Atlanta Lolohea, Pip Love, Martha Mataele, Liv McGoverne, Leah Miles, Stacey Niao, Kaipo Olsen Baker, Winnie Palamo, Moomooga (Ashley) Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Georgia Ponsonby, Kendra Reynolds, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy Rule, Fiaali’i Solomona, Charlotte Woodman, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Black Ferns unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Santo Taumata, Kelsie Thwaites, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Natalie Delamare
