Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
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The full Hurricanes Poua squad will be announced on Monday at 10am.
Maybe all squads to be named on Monday?
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@Bovidae It's really weird. I read a few weeks ago that the Poua will hold trials in January. Are they just naming a core squad and are the trials for the "extras"?
Or maybe the journo had the month wrong, and the trials have already taken place after the FPC?
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:
@Bovidae It's really weird. I read a few weeks ago that the Poua will hold trials in January. Are they just naming a core squad and are the trials for the "extras"?
Or maybe the journo had the month wrong, and the trials have already taken place after the FPC?
I haven't heard of any trials for main squads. Nearly all are on contracts. There may be some fringe players that shuffle or fill gaps eg is Maia Joseph required at Chiefs Manawa with two BF halfbacks already there? She may look somewhere where she can push for a bench spot like Matatu.
They could be holding trials as a development thing and using others to up the numbers for in house pre-season but that seems a bit strange as those players that don't expect to be in Aupiki aren't doing 15s training at the moment. Academies are in S&C mode full on and sevens players are gearing up for any sevens tournies like the schools stuff pre xmas.
Trials could offer coaches a chance to see some fringe players at work and keep in touch with them as emergencies. -
In January, there are trials to make the Hurricanes Poua team for Super Rugby Aupiki.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:
The interest will be how many, if any, of the BF7s players are involved. The Chiefs Manawa will be the most affected here.
True. Haven’t compared the calendars.
Edit: Two World series womens rounds on at same time as Aupiki, also while Feb is empty on the sevens circuit it is bookended by Sydney right at the end of Jan and Vancouver right at the beginning of March. Aupiki starts end Feb so unlikely that any Sevens players will be available unless they don't make touring squads. Will be interesting to see who chooses to stick with Sevens. Most are still contracted I think (not sure if Tui ditched her Sevens contract or got leave from it)
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Les Elder announces retirement
Former Bay of Plenty, Chiefs Manawa and Black Ferns captain Les Elder has today announced her retirement from rugby.
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Didn't realise that it was a free for all this year.
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Alana Bremner signs for 2023 | Matatū Rugby
Black Ferns World Cup winner Alana Bremner has signed a new contract with Matatū for Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
Black Fern Cheyelle Robins-Reti has made the move south from the Hurricanes Poua to Matatū for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season
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In light of the success of the World Cup, Robinson should seriously consider home & away for Aupiki. He has already said he’s in negotiations with Australia for cross-over matches so if he’s still tinkering with the season this late in the year, he can tinker again to add an extra three rounds for home & away fixtures. If they market it right, I reckon the crowds will be there next year, spurring interest with sponsors. Perhaps a little bit of Silverlake money can be used as seed funding for next year until competition sponsors get on board. They can’t afford to miss this opportunity after the highs of the World Cup.
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@Auckman-0 I agree, but that would have big implications for the players, too, because it would mean more time away from their regular employment/study. Unlike male players, they rely on their regular jobs to live and survive. So they'd have to be paid quite a bit more to make this possible; IIRC currently they're only just paid enough to cover the costs (loss of income; extra cost of accommodation etc). Black Ferns maybe get a bit more, but I'm not sure about that.
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@Stargazer - Indeed. If Robinson is talking about cross-over matches with Australia, he must surely be contemplating increased financial support for the players as well. I remain very hopeful of this. An extension of the season clearly needs the players to be paid appropriately.
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Obviously Krystal Murray
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With three final players set to be announced in early December, the contracted squad includes eight exciting new signings, nine players with international experience, and three Black Ferns from the 2021 Rugby World Cup winning side.
33-test Black Fern Aroha Savage will make her Poua debut adding international impact to the forwards.
Joining Savage is powerful Black Fern prop, Krystal Murray.
Other new players joining the squad include utility Isabella Waterman, front-rowers, Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono and Cristo Tofa, and Wellington Pride teammates, Milly Mackey, Maddie Feaunati and Bernadette Robertson.
