Super Rugby Aupiki 2023

Bovidae

I did say that the Chiefs needed some locks.

I read that her partner is Joe Apikotoa, so maybe she wants to be closer to him.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

Stargazer

Crucial

@Stargazer said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:

Georgia Cormick Locked in for 2023 | Matatū Rugby

Australia born Otago Farah Palmer Cup player Georgia Cormick has signed with Matatū for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki Season

Good player and a big part of the better performances of Otago this year.
A replacement for Elmo I guess.

Stargazer

Du Plessis to Return for Matatū | Matatū Rugby

Black Fern and Rugby World Cup Champion Amy Du Plessis has committed to Matatū for the next Super Rugby Aupiki season

Stargazer

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

Bovidae

Me either. The original squad had 5 props, so maybe she replaces one of the others like Jayjay Taylor, or an extra prop is to added to squads. They had expanded benches this season.

Stargazer

Two-time World Cup Winner Aroha Savage Signs with the Hurricanes Poua

Bovidae

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/130514153/black-ferns-world-cup-final-hero-joanah-nganwoo-resigns-with-hurricanes-poua

The full Hurricanes Poua squad will be announced on Monday at 10am.

Maybe all squads to be named on Monday?

Stargazer

@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?

Crucial

@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.

Stargazer

In January, there are trials to make the Hurricanes Poua team for Super Rugby Aupiki.

From:

Hawkes Bay Today, Sport, Sport, Rugby, NPC, Netball

Netball or rugby? The juggling act of Flaxmere's rising sporting star

Kahlia Awa's a Tui and could be a Hurricane. But the Pulse could come calling too.

Bovidae

The interest will be how many, if any, of the BF7s players are involved. The Chiefs Manawa will be the most affected here.

Crucial

@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)

Bovidae

Les Elder announces retirement

Former Bay of Plenty, Chiefs Manawa and Black Ferns captain Les Elder has today announced her retirement from rugby.

Crucial

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/130518182/free-for-all-super-rugby-aupiki-coaches-reveal-scramble-to-contract-players--including-black-ferns

Didn't realise that it was a free for all this year.

Canes4life

Bovidae

@Crucial said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2023:

Didn't realise that it was a free for all this year.

What an absurd situation, and it must have been a distraction for some of the BFs.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yeah, the change in itself isn't necessarily bad, but the process needs to be better. It also seems that players are only signed on one-year contracts. Allowing multi-year contracts would also take some of the pressure away.