Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
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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.
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Four players with Super Rugby experience will transfer to the Waitomo Chiefs Manawa in 2023, providing further support to the six rookies also named in the squad.
The Wellington Pride duo of Dhys Faleafaga and Amanda Rasch will make the shift to Chiefs Country from Hurricanes Poua. Rasch is a talented first five who was named in the 2016 Black Ferns training squad and was part of the 2019 Black Ferns Development. Both players had a limited 2022 season so will be keen to make an impact.
Transferring from Matatū, Chelsea Bremner is a talented lock who put in exceptional performances for the Black Ferns throughout their Rugby World Cup campaign. A further build to the squads locking talent comes with the addition of former Black Fern Charmaine Smith, who played for the Blues in the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season.The Chiefs Rugby Club are excited that all six rookies have been selected from within Chiefs Country, a testament to the region's growing support and development of women's rugby.
The 6 rookies:
Bay of Plenty centre Azalleyah Maaka
Bay of Plenty Volcanix, Te Urupounamu McGarvey [hooker]
Mererangi Paul, played at first-five for Counties Manukau
halfback, Violet Hapi-Wise, who made her FPC debut for Waikato
The final rookies receiving their first full-time contracts in 2023 will be Tynealle Fitzgerald and Merania Paraone who made their debut last season after being called up from the training squad.https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/waitomo-chiefs-manawa-squad-announced
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Correction: Grace Steinmetz is named as Outside Back and Grace Brooker is named as Midfield
Eight new players with five earning their first ever Super Rugby contract – here’s your Matatū squad for Super Rugby Aupiki 2023.
Alana Bremner retains her captaincy for the season, building off her experience in Aupiki 2022 and more recently as part of the Rugby World Cup 2021 winning Black Ferns.
Cheyelle Robins-Reti is an exciting signing previously contracted to Hurricanes Poua. She joins Matatū as an outside back but is comfortable across the pack. Her speed and finishing ability is exciting, as is her experience at international level having played for the Black Ferns.
Georgia Cormick played some foundational seasons with the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby W, having moved to Australian as a child. She’s back in Otago playing FPC for the Spirit and now kicks off her Aupiki career with Matatū.
Crossing the ditch to play is Sera Naiquama, joining the South Island squad with prowess and international experience. The current Wallaroo and NSW Waratahs (Super Rugby W) faced the Black Ferns in the Rugby World Cup opener only weeks ago, getting a taste of what women’s rugby is like in Aotearoa.
Cindy Nelles is currently lock for Canterbury in the FPC and this will be her first season playing in Super Rugby Aupiki. Originally from Canada, she earned 19 caps for her national team, including appearances at the 2014 and 2017 Rugby World Cups.
Charntay Poko earns her first Super Rugby Aupiki contract with her signing to Matatū. She’s a capable cross-code player entering the squad in the mid-field after a rugby union season with Canterbury. The 26-year-old played rugby league for the NZ Warriors in 2019 and the New Zealand national team the same year, and the Newcastle Knights in 2021.
Cheyenne Cunningham and Leah Miles join the squad from Otago, both earning their first Super Rugby Aupiki contract.
Rookies and experience combine for a stellar Matatū squad for Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
Hurricanes Poua Squad Named Ahead of 2023 SKY Super Rugby Aupiki
