Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
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@Bovidae Talk about break through players. Not out of place at the very top level at all.
If the BFs hadn't gone into camp during FPC, the platform that the BOP forwards were showing would have allowed the young inexperienced backs to progress more than they did. Santo didn't seem to believe in herself at the start of FPC but has massively stepped up.
Chiefs Manawa is going to be a stacked team again. Could do with an 'upgrade' in the loosies but every other area is very strong. -
@Crucial said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:
Chiefs Manawa is going to be a stacked team again. Could do with an 'upgrade' in the loosies but every other area is very strong.
If the Chiefs are allowed to pick all players from their own region the team will be stronger than this year. Reynolds and Holmes were shipped off to the Matutu to accommodate the BF7s players. I will be disappointed if the likes of Brazier are included again. Time to move on.
Lock will be the weakest position.
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Chiefs Manawa are turning into the female version of the Crusaders. Signing the best players from around the country, making them even harder to beat.
They've stolen another one:
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/chelsea-bremner-signs-with-waitomo-chiefs-manawa
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:
Good player and a big part of the better performances of Otago this year.
A replacement for Elmo I guess. -
I must admit I don't know who she is. Haven't seen enough Volcanix games, I guess.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/tynealle-fitzgerald-re-signed-for-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. -
@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)