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Super Rugby Aupiki squads confirmed for 2024 season
By Finn Morton
After losing last season’s Super Rugby Aupiki decider by an agonising margin of just two points, Chiefs Manawa have made some stunning off-season signings as they look to return to champions status in 2024.
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Grace Steinmetz and Renee Holmes have both left reigning champions Matatu for the Chiefs. Holmes is an especially intriguing addition with the Black Ferns fullback scoring 23 points in the last season’s final.
Fan favourite Ruby Tui will also enter the fray of Super Rugby Aupiki for the first time after signing with the Chiefs, while Chelsea Semple is another big-name addition.
Black Ferns Ariana Bayler and Krystal Murray complete what would have to be considered a masterful recruitment drive from last season’s runners-up.
Elsewhere in Aotearoa, New Zealand international Kaipo Olsen-Baker has made the move from the Hurricanes Poua to Matatu, while Black Ferns Sevens great Niall Williams-Guthrie joins the Blues.
Fiji’s Bitila Tawake and Japan’s Seina Saito have joined the Chiefs, and Charlotte Woodman will don Matatu’s colours after moving south from Exeter Chiefs in England.
“It’s great to see so many strong performers from the Farah Palmer Cup rewarded with their first contracts,” New Zealand Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Manager, Hannah Porter, said in a statement.
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“This competition is proving to be a great stepping stone for our players as they strive for higher honours and with the extended preparation window for our players, we are looking forward to seeing the positive influence that will have on the competition.”
2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads
Blues: Kahlia Awa, Eloise Blackwell, Dajian Brown, Sylvia Brunt, Rebecca Burch, Krysten Cottrell, Ruahei Demant, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Sophie Fisher, Grace Gago, Aldora Itunu, Kerri Johnson, Jaymie Kolose, Patricia Maliepo, Paris Mataroa, Charmaine McMenamin, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai, Liana Mikaele Tu’u, Elizabith Moimoi, Daynah Nankivell, Alakoka Po’oi, Mel Puckett, Maddi Robinson, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Tara-Leigh Turner, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maama Vaipulu, Chryss Viliko and Niall Williams-Guthrie
Chiefs Manawa: Reese Anderson, Mia Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Chelsea Bremner, Luka Connor, Georgia Thompson (nee Daals), Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland, Kate Henwood, Chyna Hohepa, Renee Holmes, Tanya Kalounivale, Grace Kukutai, Azalleyah Maaka, Victoria Makea, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Krystal Murray, Apii Nicholls, Merania Parone, Mererangi Paul, Te Uru Pounamu McGarvey, Vici-Rose Green, Seina Saito, Chelsea Semple, Kennedy Simon, Charmaine Smith, Grace Steinmetz, Bitila Tawake, Hazel Tubic, Ruby Tui, Olive Watherston
Hurricanes Poua: Shakira Baker, Tamia Edwards, Maddie Feaunati, Teilah Fergusson, Rhiarna Ferris, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Leilani Hakiwai, Iritana Hohaia, Tori Iosefo, Harmony Kautai, Hannah King, Marilyn Fanoga (nee Live), Paige Lush, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Leilani Perese, Elinor Plum-King, Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono, Holly-Rae Mete, Rachael Rakatau, Layla Sae, Rangimarie Sturmey, Kahurangi Sturmey, Monica Tagoai, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Samantha Taylor, Cristo Tofa, Isabella Waterman
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Matat?: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Grace Brooker, Georgia Cormick, Cheyenne Cunningham, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle, Amy du Plessis, Di Hiini, Tegan Hollows, Lucy Jenkins, Maia Joseph, Rosie Kelly, Atlanta Lolohea, Pip Love, Martha Mataele, Liv McGoverne, Leah Miles, Stacey Niao, Kaipo Olsen Baker, Winnie Palamo, Moomooga (Ashley) Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Georgia Ponsonby, Kendra Reynolds, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy Rule, Fiaali’i Solomona, Charlotte Woodman, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Black Ferns unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Santo Taumata, Kelsie Thwaites, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Natalie Delamare
