Super Rugby Aupiki 2025
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Just starting the thread as some signings have started popping up.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to the Blues
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe signs with the Blues
The team is already particularly close to Portia’s heart, with her niece Kerri Johnson already on the team.
Mererangi Paul re-signs with the Chiefs
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/mererangi-paul-re-signs-with-chiefs-manawaChelsea Bremner back to Matatū
Chelsea Bremner Comes Home to Matatū | Matatū Rugby
Chelsea Bremner is coming home. The proud Cantabrian will play for Matatū once again in the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season after debuting for the club back in 2022. Bremner was a foundational member of Matatū for the inaugural Aupiki season before shifting to play for the Chiefs Manawa in 2023 an
Charmaine Mcmenamin to the Blues coaching staff
Former Black Fern Charmaine McMenamin joins Blues women coaching staff
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Charmaine McMenamin is making the shift from player to coach, joining the Blues women as forwards coach.
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The new Chiefs Manawa coach was announced last month.
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Rosie Kelly to Chiefs Manawa
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/chiefs-manawa-sign-black-fern-paramatta-eels-star-rosie-kelly
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nib Blues squad 2025
Forwards:
Chryss Viliko, Aldora Itunu, Sophie Fisher, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Harono Te Iringa*, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu*, Atlanta Lolohea*, Oceane Donelley*, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Eloise Blackwell, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Elizabith Moimoi, Lemalu Dajian Brown, Paris Mataroa, Holly Greenway*, Lily Murray-Wihongi*
Backs:
Kahlia Awa, Tara-Leigh Turner, Ruahei Demant, Krysten Cottrell, Sylvia Brunt, Daynah Nankivell, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe*, Patricia Maliepo, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Jaymie Kolose, Kerri Johnson, Braxton Sorensen-McGee*, Danii Mafoe*
*denotes rookie nib Blues squad member
HOMEGROWN TALENT HEADLINES 2025 nib BLUES SQUAD — Blues Rugby
Nine new signings bolster an experienced core of players for the nib Blues Women’s Super Rugby Aupiki squad in 2025. As previously announced, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is a stand-out new face joining the nib Blues squad this season with Head Coach Willie Walker confident he’s got the right
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Hurricanes Poua:
Denise Aiolupotea, Shakira Baker, Raedeen Blake, Forne Burkin, Natalie Delamere, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Teilah Ferguson, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Leilani Hakiwai, Iritana Hohaia, Harmony Kautai, Elinor-Plum King, Lavinia Lea, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Paige Lush, Olioli Mua, Angel Mulu, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Jayme Nuku, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Layla Sae, Cassie Siataga, Kahurangi Sturmey, Rangimarie Sturmey, Monica Tagoai, Payton Takimoana, Ngano Tavake, Samantha Taylor, Isabella Waterman
*one player to be added
Coaches: Fusi FeaunatiMatatū:
Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Grace Brooker, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle, Amy du Plessis, Jett Hayward, Tegan Hollows, Lucy Jenkins, Sarah Jones, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Fia Laikong, Phillipa Love, Martha Mataele, Kelsyn McCook, Hollyrae Mete, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Winnie Palamo, Moomooga Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Abigail Paton, Georgia Ponsonby, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy Rule, Keighley Simpson, Tayla Simpson, Fiaali'I Solomona, Charlotte Va'afusaga
Coaches: Whitney Hansen (head coach), Simon Kneebone (assistant), Jason Kjestrup (assistant)Key Facts
Competition debutants: Blues (4) Chiefs Manawa (4), Hurricanes Poua (4), Matatū (5)
2024 contracted Black Ferns: Blues (13), Chiefs Manawa (12), Hurricanes Poua (4), Matatū (11)
Former Black Ferns: Blues (4), Chiefs (5), Hurricanes Poua (7), Matatū (3)
There are four International players, Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Canada) and Jade Coates (Fiji) at Chiefs Manawa, Cassie Siataga (Samoa) at the Hurricanes Poua, and Jett Hayward (USA) at Matatū
28 players are foundation members of their club preparing for their fourth season, Blues (8), Chiefs Manawa (5), Hurricanes Poua (6), Matatū (9) -
A game between the NZ and Aust winners.
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https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/four-former-chiefs-to-coach-chiefs-manawa
Head Coach:
Dwayne Sweeney (Chief #142)Assistant Coaches:
Carla Hohepa (Chiefs Manawa #27)
Adam Thomson (Chief #323)
Sona Taumalolo (Chief #169) -
Pre-season Blues v Tahs result -
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Preseason result -
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Live - Pre-Season: Hurricanes Poua vs Matatū
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Round one teams -
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 SeumanutafaMatatu
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 SimpsonHurricanes 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-LaneBlues
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 -
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2025:
The Manawa will probably be underdone. That was their first and only pre-season game last Sat whereas the Blues and Poua had played NSW prior.
Believe they also had an internal hit out but obvs that's not gonna be full tit. Strange they've only had the one compared to the other 3 teams. Shooting themselves in the foot early.
