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Trio of returning stars headline 2025 Chiefs Manawa squad

By Ned Lester

21 days ago

Rosie Kelly of the Black Ferns. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Three familiar faces will be back in action for the Chiefs Manawa in 2025 as the team looks to go one better than their consecutive second-place finishes.

While Black Ferns prop Santo Taumata is set to return from injury, fellow Black Fern and world champion Kelly Brazier comes into the side along with Olympic gold medallist Tenika Willison

The region is celebrating its recent FPC win, something head coach Dwayne Sweeney hopes will ignite a winning edge in his squad.

“Kelly, Tenika and Santo were all exceptional for Chiefs Manawa in previous seasons, so we are excited to have them back in Chiefs colours. They will add to the depth and experience within our squad but also bring some healthy competition that will have everyone working hard for those starting roles.

“I don’t want to be biased, but Waikato were immense during FPC this season and earned their title. We have selected several of our rookies from within that team as across the competition; we feel they were the best of that next generation of players. We look forward to seeing them perform at Super Rugby level.”

Another cross-code star Rosie Kelly also joins the Hamilton club, while Canada’s Shoshanah Seumanutafa and Fiji’s Jade Coates add even more international experience.

“I’m super excited for the opportunity to join Chiefs Manawa for the upcoming season,” Kelly said upon signing last week.

“I look forward to embracing the team culture, creating new connections and growing as a player both on and off the field. Super Rugby Aupiki is growing every year and I can’t wait for the 2025 season to begin.”

2025 Chiefs Manawa Squad:
Ariana Bayler
Azalleyah Maaka
Charmaine Smith
Chyna Hohepa
Grace Houpapa-Barrett
Grace Kukutai
Hazel Tubic
Jade Coates*
Kate Henwood
Kelly Brazier
Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon)
Kiriana Nolan
Krystal Murray
Logan Hauraki*
Luka Connor
Mererangi Paul
Mia Anderson
Reese Anderson
Renee Holmes
Rosie Kelly
Ruby Tui
Santo Taumata
Shoshanah Seumanutafa*
Tanya Kalounivale
Tenika Willison
Veisinia Mahutariki Fakalelu*
Vici-Rose Green

Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 tickets application phase is now open! Apply now.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 7 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I find Ben Smith to be an emotionally driven hysteric. So I question everything he writes.

He launched into the year about the ABs being back this year. For a "journalist" his opinions are based on the flavour of the month.

He's at least gone quiet about how sh1t the boks actually are. Although I suspect he's working on an outrageous article to that effect as we speak, to drive engagement after the end of the Autumn series, as we'll all be taking a break until the 6N.

22 Go to comments

Chesterfield 10 minutes ago

Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call

The dominant pack should be enforcing their superiority with maximum points and the psychological advantage of taking the lead.

You don’t get that by saying we’ll settle for three and try again you get it by scoring seven and trying again. Doesn’t come off every time?

No.

But if you’ve asserted dominance letting the opposition off and not trying to build a double score difference is wrong minded.

All blacks have traditionally played to build the unassailable lead not meekly win a single point victory.

11 Go to comments

Arnold 12 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

Aaah. Ben Smith. Ever the unbiased, objective rugby scribe......NOT.

Unable to give credit where it's due, other than for the ABs, especially when it comes to the Boks. His contempt for them is tangible. If you want to " Get Real" about these ABs Ben, consider when they last beat the Boks??? For us Bok fans, beating the ABs is the only true measure.

22 Go to comments

Reader76 31 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

"they [All Blacks] are nuggety and resourceful and don’t wilt. They are prepared to win the hard way, accumulating points by any means necessary."

Sounds like you're describing your arch-nemesis Ben 😁

22 Go to comments

CM 34 minutes ago

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

This article only shows a part of SBs failings as England Coach. Firstly his reputation st Leicester was false, his SA and Welsh players won the matches not his coaching prowess. He has Wigglesworth as attack coach, someone who rarely attacked when playing. His player selection is awful, ignoring form players and sticking with failed internationals. He picks players that he knows and will be easy to manage for him. What on earth is Slade doing when even for Exeter he does not make line breaks with steppping, pace or guile, why on earth are Cole,George,Steward,Ford,Iseweke and a few other anywhere near the Team. Borthwick is awful as Head Coach of England.

1 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 36 minutes ago

Key Wallabies trio running hot a year after being left in cold

Good to be writing about a WB team that has beaten two 6 N sides in successive weeks, Brett.

Lolesio indeed is looking very comfortable under Schmidt coaching. He must feel as confident now as he was feeling in his spell at Toulon last year. It will be interesting to see how he does against Finn Russell.

30 Go to comments

J Marc 58 minutes ago

'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Your unterstanding of the relation FFR LNR, is far better than the one in the article. For Meafou, there is an article on Skelton saying he is totally indispensable in the australian game.

In France they are often compared, and french game is often, but not always ,based on this kind of number 5. But , there are a lot of kind of play in France and in the world, and it's a blessing, because otherwise, the game would be boring.

On my other post ,which you replied, my intention was to explain with some historics facts the main importance, in France, of the championship.

But ,once again, I would prefer 3 games in NZ , with the better french players.

287 Go to comments

Ninjin 1 hour ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I said before the November tests that the AB's should go smash some Nh teams to find their feet and it seems that is just what they did bar France. Could have should have always sucks. Better to look to the future.

22 Go to comments