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Three big questions ahead of the next season of Super Rugby Aupiki
The second edition of Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off this weekend in the afterglow of the Black Ferns World Cup triumph. The 2022 competition was severely disrupted by covid with the Hurricanes Poua and Blues unable to play each other.
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Wild weather is the biggest threat to the schedule this year. Super Rugby Aupiki is a young competition with a lot of promise but some serious questions are still to be resolved as well.
Who will win?
Chiefs Manawa took the spoils in 2022 defeating all three sides and would rank as favourites again with no less than 11 past or present Black Ferns among the forwards.
Te Urupounamu McGarvey is the only front-rower not to be capped internationally with Tanya Kalounivale, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Angel Mulu, Santo Taumata, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, and Luka Connor bringing ample size and experience.
Lock Chelsea Bremner played all 12 tests for the Black Ferns last year and firms up a second row that includes former Black Ferns Charmaine Smith and Kelsie Wills.
Experienced Counties pair Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Hazel Tubic will partner each other in the halves but with the rest of the backline absent in sevens superstars Kelly Brazier, Ruby Tui and Portia Woodman, it isn’t anywhere near as threatening as the 2022 class suggesting the Chiefs might resort to bullying tactics rather than the free-flowing approach of the Black Ferns to win games.
Canterbury has been the dominant force in New Zealand provincial rugby winning five of the last six Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) Premierships. With 17 Canterbury players in the Matatu roster, it would be almost inexplicable if they were to repeat a winless season.
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The forward pack might lack the dynamism of the Chiefs, but Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby, and Amy Rule were the spine of the Black Ferns’ World Cup success. Canadian international Cindy Nelles is all class at lock while Lucy Jenkins, the top tackler in the FPC, could push for national honours in a crowed loose forward department which includes Black Ferns Marcelle Parkes, Kendra Reynolds, and Alana Bremner.
With Kendra Cocksedge retired there are question marks over a game-driver at nine, but the rest of the backline is stacked with speed and flair. Renee Holmes, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Grace Steinmetz, Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis are all Black Ferns. Martha Mataele and Cheyelle Cunningham were the leading try scorers in the FPC.
Brb, just booking our tickets for Round 1 of #Aupiki23 ?#LoveEveryMinute pic.twitter.com/sbwFBFyZyB
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) February 8, 2023
Who will be watching?
The Black Ferns became bonafide rockstars after the World Cup hanging out at Six60 concerts, the Beehive and winning some award almost every day. The television ratings for the World Cup final broke records, but how popular will Aupiki be?
There were no World Cup fixtures south of the Bombays so apart from jumping aboard a late gravy train how much interest is there really in women’s rugby nationwide?
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It was evident during the World Cup the women’s crowd is different. It’s more family oriented and curious. That’s not to say diehard rugby fans don’t care but an acknowledgement of the different expectations and characteristics of the fans would go some way towards building greater audiences.
The Hurricanes Poua taking a fixture to Levin and Matatu playing at Nga Puna Wai is a great idea. It involves often neglected smaller towns and invites a more intimate viewing experience than a giant stadium.
Why are the finals being played at neutral venues? Surely there should be an attempt to build tribalism and one way that happens is local fans seeing their teams win trophies on their home field.
Kendra Cocksedge, Ruby Tui, Portia Woodman, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Stacey Fluhler and Sarah Hirini will not be involved in Aupiki, the six best and most high-profile players in the country. In a young competition searching for oxygen, the absence of such talent is a marketing disaster.
Who are the superstars?
After the World Cup, Ruby Tui became a Jonah Lomu-like figure with crowds flocking to her book signings across the country. Her popularity transcended rugby but in 2023 she’s a TV commentator, not a player. Who in Aupiki can become the next Ruby Tui figure? Is it essential there is one? It’s certainly useful.
If the Hurricanes Poua can get the ball to Ayesha Leti-I’iga she’s a human highlights reel and has a delightful personality to match. Maia Roos (Blues) was huge in the World Cup and has innate charisma, but as a lock, she’s less likely to feature in highlights.
Sylvia Brunt and Patricia Maliepo are two outside backs not yet 21 with real promise but with 17 new players, the Blues look the weakest of the four teams.
Kendra Cocksedge has featured in 68 of the Black Ferns 117 tests, including 53 in a row from 2014 to 2022. Who’s going to rise to the challenge of replacing the champion? Fellow World Cup halfbacks Ariana Bayler (Blues) and Ahriana Marino-Tauhinu (Chiefs) would appear to have the inside running.
Iritana Hohaia (Hurricanes) and Rosie Kelly (Matat?) who plays all over the backline could emerge as contenders too.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
8 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
8 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to comments