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Woodman-Wickliffe headlines Super Rugby Aupiki round one team namings

79 days ago

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

Super Rugby Aupiki is back with round one kicking off this weekend in Hamilton as the Chiefs host Matatu. The season opener will be followed by the Hurricanes Poua hosting the Blues.

The return of the great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe headlines the announcements, with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens icon named to start for the Blues on her familiar left wing, forming a truly world-class wing duo with Katelyn Vahaakolo on the right.

Both debutants and established Black Ferns alike will be eager to impress from the outset as the World Cup year gets underway and the selection race takes flight.

Chiefs Manawa

Kate Henwood
Vici Rose-Green
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu
Charmaine Smith
Jade Coates
Chyna Hohepa
Kennedy Tukuafu (c)
Mia Anderson
Ariana Bayler
Hazel Tubic
Reese Anderson
Kelly Brazier
Mererangi Paul
Ruby Tui
Renee Holmes

Reserves

16. Grace Hopapa-Barrett
17. Krystal Murray
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Leata Puni-Lio
20. Keelah Bodle
21. Holli O’Sullivan
22. Kiriana Nolan
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa

Matatu

Pip Love
Georgia Ponsonby
Amy Rule
Laura Bayfield
Chelsea Bremner
Alana Bremner
Lucy Jenkins
Kaipo Olsen-Baker
Maia Jospeh
Hannah King
Fia Laikong*
Grace Brooker
Amy du Plessis
Winnie Palamo
Kaea Nepia*

Reserves

16. Jett Haywood
17. Marcelle Parkes
18. Moomooga Palu
19. Emma Dermody
20. Fiaali’i Solomona
21. Kelsyn McCook
22. Charlotte Va’afusuaga
23. Keighley Simpson

Hurricanes Poua

Angel Mulu
Natalie Delamere
Lavinia Lea
Sam Taylor
Jackie Patea-Fereti
Kahurangi Sturmey
Elinor-Plum King
Layla Sae
Iritana Hohaia
Cassie Siataga
Ayesha Leti-I’iga
Monica Tagoai
Teilah Ferguson
Leilani Hakiwai
Isabella Waterman

Reserves

16 Denise Aiolupotea
17 Nina Poletti
18 Jayme Nuku
19 Joanah Ngan-Woo
20 Paige Lush
21 Olioli Mua
22 Keira Su’a-Smith
23 Arene Landon-Lane

Blues

Chryss Viliko
Atlanta Lolohea
Aldora Itunu
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
Elizabith Moimoi
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
Kahlia Awa
Krysten Cottrell
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Ruahei Demant
Sylvia Brunt
Katelyn Vahaakolo
Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Reserves

16. Grace Gago
17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Eloise Blackwell
20. Paris Mataora
21. Tara Turner
22. Kerri Johnson
23. Jaymie Kolose

Comments

2 Comments

Brendon 78 days ago

Wow Portia Woodman at 10!

sorrel 78 days ago

Who’s playing at 15 for the Blues? Somehow the article missed this.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍