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More Black Ferns Sevens stars return in Blues and Chiefs Manawa teams


Justine McGregor of the Black Ferns competes during the Pacific Four Series' O'Reilly Cup match between Australia Wallaroos and New Zealand Black Ferns at Sunshine Coast Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
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Round 2 of the Super Rugby Aupiki season will feature yet more Black Ferns Sevens talent, with the season debuts of three stars slated for Hamilton.

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The Blues, who won their opening-round game against the Hurricanes Poua 42-7, have named Jaymie Kolose and Katelyn Vahaakoko to start on the wings for the fixture, with the latter celebrating her 20th game for the club.

The Chiefs Manawa, who fell to a 26-52 defeat in front of a record crowd in Christchurch last week, have named former high school sensation Justine McGregor for her Aupiki debut. The 20-year-old is already a capped Black Fern, having contributed to New Zealand’s Pacific Four Series crown back in May.

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Black Ferns Sevens stardom also runs through the veins of the Chiefs’ second debutant this week, Louise Blyde, who is the cousin of SVNS Series speedster Michaela Blyde. The two debutants follow the 12 who debuted for the Chiefs last week.

The Blues have handed Samoan international prop Glory Aiono a starting debut with Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono sidelined for the week, with the defending champs also losing Amarante Sititi to injury and Maama Vaipulu to suspension.

Blues team to face Chiefs Manawa

1. Glory Aiono (debut)
2. Atlanta Lolohea
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c)
5. Eloise Blackwell
6. Tafito Lafaele
7. Taufa Bason
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Tara Turner
10. Ruahei Demant
11. Jaymie Kolose
12. Sylvia Brunt (20th game)
13. Mererangi Paul
14. Katelyn Vahaakolo (20th game)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Reserves

16. Grace Gago
17. Nijiho Nagata
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Dajian Brown
20. Danny-Elle Fesolai
21. Ffion Penney
22. Hazel Tubic
23. Hollyrae Mete-Renata

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Injury list

Ella Henderson (concussion)
Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono (concussion)
Amarante Sititi (concussion)
Cheyenne Tuli-Fale (back)
Maama Vaipulu (suspension)
Chryss Viliko (knee)

Chiefs Manawa team to face the Blues

  1. Chyann Kaitapu
  2. Vici-Rose Green
  3. Lonita Ngalu
  4. Jade Coates
  5. Chyna Hohepa
  6. Olivia Holten
  7. Kennedy Tukuafu
  8. Mia Anderson
  9. Ariana Bayler
  10. Carys Dallinger
  11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a
  12. Shoshanah Seumanutafa
  13. Justine McGregor*
  14. Louise Blyde*
  15. Presayus Singh

Reserves

  1. Nicole Purdom
  2. Te Urupounamu McGarvey
  3. Amber Mundell
  4. Leomie Kloppers
  5. Tynealle Fitzgerald
  6. Holli O’Sullivan
  7. Madison Flutey
  8. Lela Ieremia

Injury list

Kaea Nepia
Kiriana Nolan
Levonah Motuliki
Jessie Wharekura
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu
Manaia Nuku
Leata Puni-Lio

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N
NH 1 hour ago
Can Australia look to the greats of yesteryear to kickstart the next generation of innovation?

But, Nick what would that identity be for Australia? Everyone keeps harping back to this ‘australian way’ while they wave their hands in lofty notions but very few people seem to be able to articulate a particular style… Is it the free wheeling offload, open style of ella and campese (impossible with modern D), the defensive doggedness of the muggleton era RWC (considered unaustralian), or was it the slick set plays and multi-phase plays of larkham, gregan and eddie jones (this would be my pick if you asked me as someone from the younger gen)? Firstly, id argue that these ‘eras’ are all now long gone and both the world and australia has changed and they aren’t something we can ‘go back to’. The other thing I’d say is that what worked then almost certainly wouldn’t work now given changes in defences etc. I think that Rennie’s attack, when it worked, using powerful ball carriers and overwhelming defenses in short attacking raids in 3-4 phase combos is probably what can work with what is a modern, multicultural australia that heavily relies on pasifika power for any remaining rugby excellence.

I think the more interesting question you touch on is what would innovation look like in the australian space? Where could australia push the frontier? Rassie did it with sheer physicality and rush D at the boks. All blacks did it with electric counter attacking and offloads. Where can Australia find a point of difference and extract advantage from it? Historically this has been to look to league and bring some of that style, or some players from it… Can that work now? Probably not… Whats next? What does aus have naturally in spades more than others? What it looks like I don’t know, but we are in another era where Australia seems to be innovating across sports at the olympics and overperforming given our size/resources. Brumbies and aus tapped into this around 2000, maybe they can again. I think it has to come from this underdog, rag tag type style though that australians love to tap into…



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