Super Rugby Aupiki returns - can anyone stop the Blues from winning a third straight title?

The fifth edition of Super Rugby Aupiki starts on Saturday, with the Blues seeking a third straight title.

On Saturday, they host the Hurricanes Poua, who have been winless for the past two seasons, at Eden Park.

Matatu were narrow runners-up in 2025 and clash with the 2022 champions Chiefs Manawa at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium.

Blues

With 14 current or former Black Ferns, almost half the squad, the Blues are favourites to defend their title. The forward pack is athletic, skilled and physical. The scrum is anchored by Black Fern Chryss Viliko and supported by a Black Ferns middle row of captain Maia Roos and Maama Vaipulu. Vaipulu showed why her omission from the Women’s Rugby World Cup was a shock during the Pacific Four Series, with explosive impact from the bench.

Japan international prop Nijiho Nagata returns to the squad after missing 2025 because of international duties. She brings valuable experience to the front row and can cover all three positions.

The loose forwards are headlined by world-class Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, with 2025 breakout Tafua Bason aiming to continue her momentum. Amarante Sititi, sister of All Black Wallace Sititii, approaches the game with similar vigour. Former Black Fern Tafito Lafaele returns after a stint in NRLW.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has retired, but the Blues have no cause for panic. Rockstar Black Ferns Ruahei Demant, Sylvia Brunt and Braxton Sorenson-McGee are joined by Mererangi Paul, the Black Ferns’ leading try scorer in the Pacific Four Series, who moved from Chiefs Manawa. Hollyrae Mete-Renata and Jaymie Kolose (Black Ferns Sevens) are international-class talent.

Key Player: Maia Roos – Has played every minute in Blues history, leading her side to two championships and 12 wins in their last 14 games. The Blues were last in 2023. Roos is an inspirational skipper with a huge work rate, third in tackles and seventh in lineout catches in 2025.

What They Said: Head coach Willie Walker – “We’ve worked hard to retain the core of what’s made this group successful over the past few seasons, while also identifying areas where we can find more young talent from our region. A few seasons ago, we had a big focus on growing our base and talent from our region, and it’s been great to see those players now go on to higher honours and still be a part of our group.”

Record: 15-8

Chiefs

Black Ferns Ruby Tui, Kelly Brazier (assistant coach), Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (retired), Tayana Kalounivale (Super Rugby Women’s) and Luka Connor, record try scorer with 17 in 15 games, have all departed, leaving Manawa with a new face. Thirteen of the 33 in the squad are potential debutants.

Lela Ieremia, Lonita Ngalu-Lavemei and Chyann Kaitapu are three players rewarded for a standout campaign from the 2025 Waikato FPC-Premiership winning team. Fullback or first-five Kaea Nepia was a Black Ferns XV selection in 2025. She is one of New Zealand’s best goal-kickers, and her attacking flair is a reason to watch her.

For the Chiefs to emulate their 2022 championship win or at least make the final as they did in 2023 and 2024, they need experienced players to rise up. Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu rediscovered her best form during the Pacific Four Series.

The stocks of new Black Ferns – Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Vici-Rose Green, Justine McGregor and Mia Anderston – are rising. Carys Dallinger (Australia) and Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Canada) have international experience. Manaia Nuku has been part of the imperious Black Ferns Sevens team. Chiefs Manawa beat the Blues 34-17 in a pre-season fixture on May 30.

Key Player: Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Chiefs Manawa) – Enjoyed a barnstorming 2025 campaign. She ranked in the top ten for carries and offloads. The Chiefs scrum is historically strong, and with Mahutariki-Fakalelu anchoring the tighthead side, they’ll use the scrum as a weapon for strike attacks and piggyback penalties.

What They Said: Loose Forward Mia Anderson – ”Our squad is awesome. Many are from the Waikato FPC team. They’re a special group of girls who work hard. We’ve formed a strong connection in pre-season and have an exciting mix of youth and experience ready to have a real crack.”

Record: 15-7

Hurricanes Poua

The Poua haven’t won a game since beating Matatu on March 9, 2024. In 2025, they were the worst team, ranking last in points scored (81), points conceded (244), tries scored (13), carries (694), clean breaks (38), defenders beaten (128), metres gained (2,596), and offloads (65). They had the third-best lineout but the worst scrum.

In 2026, the Poua have only two contracted Black Ferns; Chiefs Manawa have the next fewest with four. Defending champions the Blues have nine, the same number of debutants the Poua could field. The Hurricanes’ task of lifting themselves from the bottom of the table seems nearly insurmountable.

However, the Black Ferns’ third-highest points scorer of all time, Renee Holmes, is a smart acquisition. She offers attacking flair, leadership and is New Zealand’s best goal-kicker. Black Ferns winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga is pure fire, and any game plan will focus on getting the prolific try scorer as much ball as possible. Watch for Black Ferns halfback Iritana Hohaia to spend some time at fullback.

Mo’omo’oga Ona Palu is another big addition. She played 18 of a possible 21 games for Matatu, winning a championship in 2023. In April, she debuted for the Black Ferns in their 40-5 win against Australia. Former Manawatu and Maori All Black lock Hayden Triggs is the new head coach, alongside Black Ferns Rugby World Cup winners Emma Jensen and Mel Bossman.

The trio have a clean slate to rebuild and has sought provincial stalwarts to boost their stocks.Tegan Hollows and Greer Muir have been loyal servants of Otago. Hooker Hollows has played 72 games for the Spirit while centre or loose forward Muir holds the Otago records for most games (77) and tries (33).

Canterbury first five Te Rauoriwa Gapper, 34, has won four FPC Premierships and was appointed co-captain alongside Manawatu and Black Ferns XV lock Sam Taylor, 23, who is rapidly ascending and ranked among the top ten lineout forwards in the competition last year.

The absence of powerhouse Black Ferns loose forward Layla Sae due to injury is a massive blow. In 2025, Sae ranked in the Top Ten of Aupiki for carries (71), defenders beaten (20), lineouts won (nine), and tackles (110).

Rookies who could flourish include Keelah Bodle, daughter of Black Ferns Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Annaleah Rush, and Canterbury openside Neve Anglesey, who led the tackle count in the 2024 FPC. If the Poua can win a game and show improvement and growth, then the season will be a success.

Pre-season has already hinted at the possibility, with a competitive 36-26 defeat against Matatu, while the Blues were tamed 26-14 in Wellington. Palu. Gapper, Lily Murray-Wihongi and Kokako Raka scored tries.

Key Player: Ayesha Leti-I’iga – Despite the Poua not winning a game, Leti-I’iga remained damaging in 2025. She ranked in the top ten for metres gained (365), defenders beaten (25), and offloads (9). Her try in a 24-43 defeat by Matatu was electric. If Leti-I’iga gets a decent supply of ball, things will happen.

What They Said: Head Coach Hayden Triggs – “Why coach this team? It’s a great challenge, a chance to grow my own pedagogy, but more importantly, to bring new energy, new ideas and make a difference. The performances over the past two seasons aren’t good enough. There are many reasons for that. We’ve reviewed them and will learn from them. There is a huge desire and intent to be better.”

Record: 4-15

Matatu

While Matatu have 21 returning players, the absence of former captain Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby will hurt. Both are regular starters in any Black Ferns XV and haven’t missed a Matatu match.

Still, it’s a settled squad, though less dynamic than the Blues, with classy performers and Black Ferns like Laura Bayfield, Lucy Jenkins, Chelsea Bremner, Maia Joseph and Amy Du Plessis. First-five Hannah King grew in 2025. She needs a big season to become a genuine back-up to Ruahei Demant in the Black Ferns.

Black Ferns XV flanker Holly Greenway, former Black Ferns hooker Natalie Delamere and Grace Brooker, a Black Fern back from her stint in Australian Rules with Essendon, return after playing roles in the 2024 season.

There are seven new faces. Alena Saili has extensive experience with the Black Ferns Sevens and could slot into midfield, wing or at a stretch loose forward. Elinor Plum-King, Maia Davis, and Paris Lokotui are all from the Hurricanes region but have opted to head south.

Plum-King has been a consistently good loose forward for Manawatu and the Poua for two seasons and made the Black Ferns XV in 2025. Davis has been with the Black Ferns Sevens and will likely cover wing or halfback. Paris Lokotui helped the Mainland Tactix win their first ANZ Premiership title and reached 50 domestic netball matches. She chose a new path, likely inspired by her father, former Tonga international Tukulua Lokotui. Netballers converting to rugby is common in New Zealand, with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe a standout example.

Prop Santo Taumata helped the Black Ferns win the Rugby World Cup in 2022 but has been plagued by injuries since. Poppy Baxter is a skilful back and the daughter of head coach Blair Baxter. Wikitoria Rogers is a front-rower from Northland who has played 18 FPC games since 2023.Matatu beat the Hurricanes Poua 36-26 in a pre-season fixture on May 30. Tasman outside back Sarah Jones scored two tries.

Key Player: Kaipo Olsen-Baker – The 2024 Black Ferns Player of the Year had a huge season, ranking in the top ten for carries (92), metres gained (393), offloads (nine), and tackles (104). When Matatu lost momentum in the final against the Blues, Olsen-Baker triggered a comeback with a try and robust carries.

She was nominated again for Black Ferns Player of the Year in 2025 after her explosive Rugby World Cup performances, maintaining that form in the 2026 Pacific Four Series, where she scored two tries in the Black Ferns’ memorable 36-14 win against Canada.

What They Said: Captain Grace Brooker – “I’m excited to be back in rugby after AFL. While we’ve lost experience, there’s a lot of talent in this group that has connected strongly during the offseason and is keen to play an up-tempo style of rugby.”

Record: 10-11