Introduction
For readers unfamiliar with this Kiwi term, first a brief explanation. Everyone else can scroll down to the next section.
The SRA competition was established in 2022 to provide a link in playing standards between the Farah Palmer Cup and the Black Ferns.
Aupiki means ‘ascent to the highest realms’, and is a pleasing tribute to the immense contribution Maori have made to New Zealand’s standing in world rugby.
And now
We have the same four franchises as before: nib Blues, Chiefs Manawa, Matatu and Hurricanes Poua. Of them only Poua of Wellington have yet to take the title.
This year’s innovations include: a later starting date to better match the global calendar; new venues to spread interest; and a third round subtitled ‘All-in’.
The first and second are very sensible, the third less so. It just means that all four clubs will play a double header on the same ground (in Pukekohe, just south of Auckland), thus conflicting with that second aim.
Players are being signed up (‘locked-in’ is the favoured phrase). This is one inevitability in the pro-age; managers can no longer be sure players will stay loyal to their previous club.
And yes, the official statement uses the term ‘club’, not ‘franchise’. We’ve come a long way from the traditional sense of what a rugby club should be.
The critics line up
Still only the four teams. Would another couple not help to create the sort of challenge needed to restore the Black Ferns to their rightful position at the top of the tree?
It means that once more the competition is over almost before it begins. Even with the welcome retention of a grand final between the winners of the NZ and Australian trophies (this year in Oz), it will last a mere 44 days, a poor contrast with the scope of its English and French equivalents.
Hannah Porter, in charge of affairs, can welcome the spread of the game around the country, but not a matching spread in the number of teams. Her claim that the competition is growing in depth remains to be proved.
To me it sounds like a rather bare cupboard.
Sevens v Fifteens
This nettle has not been seized.
You may well say, of course not. The Black Ferns’ 7s squad have already won the first two HSBC SVNS tournaments of 2026 at Perth and Singapore. The nation can glory in their achievements.
As a counter I may ask: what are the long-term targets? To win an Olympic medal or a World Cup, or both? In an increasingly competitive age it is becoming harder to cover both fields adequately at the same time.
The Black Ferns currently stand third in world rankings a little behind Canada and well ahead of France, who face the same dilemma. Can Whitney Hansen hope to build an RWC-winning squad with her players dodging between the two formats?
The recent agreement between NZR and the Players’ Association improves players’ security and wellbeing but also encourages them to stay at home, rather than be tempted into joining Australia’s all-powerful Rugby League tournament.
Final thoughts
Every match will be covered live by Sky Sports. That should increase public awareness, but will it help to encourage potential spectators out of their house to watch in person?
It’s a wry comment on relative values that the first fixture sees Blues (of Auckland) playing at Eden Park.
Yet two consecutive Chief Execs of NZR have denied the British and Irish Lions use of that great ground for their inaugural tour next year.
Once again, some are more equal than others.
