Super Rugby Aupiki teams named for opening round with 40 debuts

The teams are in for round 1 of the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season, with no shortage of debuts across the board as the off-season’s intriguing player movement reshapes the competition’s competitive landscape.

There are just shy of 40 debuts across the four matchday 23s, with the games to be played at New Zealand’s most prominent venues, Eden Park and One New Zealand Stadium.

Hurricanes Poua team to play the Blues

1. Krystal Murray (5)
2. Valini Vaka (debut)
3. Ona Palu (debut)
4. Brianna Wallace (debut)
5. Stacey Niao (debut)
6. Sam Taylor (10) – co-captain
7. Neve Anglesey (debut)
8. Greer Muir (debut)
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (debut)
10. Renee Holmes (debut)
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (12)
12. Te Rauoriwa Gapper (8) – co-captain
13. Leilani Hakiwai (12)
14. Wikitoria Viljoen (debut)
15. Iritana Hohaia (17)

Reserves

16. Keiana Roffey (debut)
17. Ngano Tavake (7)
18. Faythe Finau (debut)
19. Lily Murray-Wihongi (debut)
20. Anahera Hamahona (debut)
21. Fia Laikong (3)
22. Kokako Raki (debut)
23. Arene Landon-Lane (1)

The Gillies Group Hurricanes Poua are in Auckland to open their 2026 campaign against the back-to-back defending champions, and after finishing the 2025 season without a win to their name, they’ve reworked the squad in a dramatic way for the new season.

Over half of the matchday 23 for round 1 are new to the group, including Black Ferns Renee Holmes and Ona Palu, who have been named to start at 10 and tighthead prop, respectively.

“There is genuine edge about the group this week ahead of the toughest task for any Aupiki team this season,” Gillies Group Hurricanes Poua head coach Hayden Triggs said.

“Playing the two-time champions, filled with Black Ferns on their home turf, is an assignment that we have been preparing for since the draw was announced.

“The 23 selected to play this week know that this weekend is the time for us to press the button on our 2026 campaign.

“Picking a team that balances experience with the exciting debutants was challenging, but we believe we have the right mix to execute our preparation and our plan.

“Plenty of lessons have been learned through the pre-season, which has resulted in a positive trend across our systems and structures. Playing for points on Saturday gives us the opportunity to show the type of team the Poua want to be known for.”

Blues team to play the Hurricanes Poua

1. Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono
2. Atlanta Lolohea
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
5. Maama Vaipulu
6. Amarante Sititi (debut)
7. Taufa Bason
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (20^th game)
9. Tara Turner
10. Ruahei Demant
11. Sariyah Paitai (debut)
12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata (debut)
13. Sylvia Brunt
14. Mererangi Paul (debut)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Reserves

16. Grace Gago (20^th game)
17. Nijiho Nagata
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Eloise Blackwell
20. Tafito Lafaele
21. Danny-Elle Fesolai (debut)
22. Ffion Penney (debut)
23. Hazel Tubic (debut)

Unavailable due to injury: Ella Henderson (concussion), Cheyenne Tuli-Fale (back), Chryss Viliko (knee)

The Blues begin their quest for Super Rugby Aupiki’s first three-peat at Eden Park, with a handful of new faces named in the matchday 23.

With Test stardom in her veins, teenage sensation Amarante Sititi has been thrust straight into the starting team at blindside flanker, joining fellow rising star Taufa Bason and milestone woman Liana Mikaele-Tu’u in the starting loose forwards.

Established Black Ferns Mererangi Paul and Hazel Tubic have been named for their club debuts, with Sariyah Paitai, Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Danny-Elle Fesolai, and Ffion Penney also set for their first minutes in Blues jerseys.

Chiefs Manawa team to play Matatu

1. Chyann Kaitapu*
2. Vici-Rose Green
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu
4. Jade Coates
5. Jessie Wharekura*
6. Mia Anderson
7. Kennedy Tukuafu (c)
8. Chyna Hohepa
9. Ariana Bayler
10. Carys Dallinger*
11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a*
12. Huia Harding*
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa
14. Lela Ieremia*
15. Presayus Singh*

Reserves

16. Nicole Purdom*
17. Amber Mundell*
18. Lonita Ngalu*
19. Leata Puni-Lio
20. Olivia Holten*
21. Tynealle Fitzgerald
22. Madison Flutey*
23. Reese Anderson

Travelling reserve: Te Urupounamu McGarvey

The Chiefs Manawa are Christchurch-bound for a date with Matatu at One New Zealand Stadium, and they also have a new No.10 leading them into the contest.

Ex-Wallaroo playmaker Carys Dallinger has been named to start at 10 and is one of 12 debutants in the club’s first matchday 23 of the year.

Captain Kennedy Tukuafu is one of four Black Ferns in the forward pack, but New Zealand isn’t the only nation represented, with Fiji lock Jade Coates and Canada international Shoshanah Seumanutafa named to start in the backline.

“I’m really proud of the work we’ve put in pre-season, we have really focused on connection and building trust and confidence with each other. I’m excited for the fans to see the team showcase their skills,” said coach Dwayne Sweeney.

Matatu team to face Chiefs Manawa

1. Maddi Robinson
2. Nat Delamere
3. Santo Taumata*
4. Laura Bayfield
5. Paris Lokotui**
6. Fiaali’i Solomona
7. Elinor-Plum King*
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
9. Maia Joseph
10. Hannah King
11. Binky Muamua**
12. Grace Brooker
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Winnie Palamo
15. Poppy Baxter**

* Matatu Debut

**Super Rugby Aupiki Debut

Impact Players

16. Holly Greenway
17. Marcelle Parkes
18. Wikitoria Rogers**
19. Sophie Kerr**
20. Sarah Jones
21. Kelsyn McCook
22. Charntay Poko
23. Charlotte Va’afusuaga

Matatu, 2025’s beaten finalists, have named seven debutants in their first team of the year, including netball star Paris Lokotui, who has been named to start at lock.

Seven-cap Black Fern Santo Taumata slots straight into the starting front row after moving south from the Chiefs Manawa, with Elinor-Plum King the third and final debutant in the starting pack. In the backline, Binky Muamua and Poppy Baxter are set for their first minutes in Super Rugby Aupiki on the left wing and at fullback, respectively.

“We’ve had a longer pre-season this year and had time to build, and we’re bringing an evolution in our DNA – we’re more physical than we’ve ever been and continuing to enhance our speed,” said new head coach Blair Baxter, who takes over from new Black Ferns boss Whitney Hansen.

“We’ve created depth through selection and brought in some awesome additions. It’s a really good mix of experience and youth, and we’re excited to see how they add their identity to the group.”

The club are hoping to continue the momentum at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium, which started with five-straight sell-outs for the Crusaders, with the record for most attended domestic women’s game in New Zealand history within reach.

“It’s an epic place to play, and we couldn’t ask for anything more than breaking that record,” added Baxter.

Team captain Grace Brooker echoed that sentiment.

“To run out in front of a crowd like that at a stadium like this would be pretty special. If we can break that record, it feels like the start of something new for women’s sport in Aotearoa,” Brooker said.

“The more support we get, the more the game grows – and that’s something we’re really proud to be part of.”