2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season

2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season
Countries New Zealand
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and Final
ChampionsBlues Women (1st title)
Matches played13
Tries scored110 (8.46 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Krysten Cottrell, Blues Women (49)
Top try scorer(s)Katelyn Vaha'akolo, Blues Women (8)
Official websiteOfficial site
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The 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season was the third season of Super Rugby Aupiki (known as Sky Super Rugby Aupiki for sponsorship reasons), a professional women's rugby union club competition organised by New Zealand Rugby. The competition ran from 2 March 2024 – when Chiefs Manawa and Hurricanes Poua played the opening match in Hamilton – to 13 April 2024.[1]

The tournament was won by Blues Women, who defeated Chiefs Manawa 24–18 in the final in Auckland, earning them their first Super Rugby Aupiki title.[2]

Competition format

In 2024, the competition was extended from three regular season matches and two play-off matches to a complete home and away round-robin format, followed by a final. This meant that each of the four teams played at least six games during the regular season – three at home and three away. The two highest ranked teams at the end of the regular season contested the final at the home ground of the highest placed team. The new competition format resulted in a total of thirteen matches played over a seven-week period.[3]

Standings

The standings at the end of the round-robin of the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season were:

2024 Super Rugby Aupiki standings
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Blues Women (C) 6 5 0 1 194 111 +83 31 18 2 1 23 Super Rugby Aupiki Fnal
2 Chiefs Manawa (RU) 6 4 0 2 190 130 +60 30 20 3 1 20
3 Matatū 6 2 0 4 144 162 −18 24 26 1 2 11
4 Hurricanes Poua 6 1 0 5 123 248 −125 19 40 0 0 4
Source: Super Rugby Aupiki - Team standings
(C) Champions; (RU) Runners-up;

Fixtures

The draw for the third season of Super Rugby Aupiki was announced on 5 December 2023. The competition started on 2 March 2024, when Chiefs Manawa hosted Hurricanes Poua in Hamilton. The final between Blues Women and Chiefs Manawa took place on Saturday 13 April 2024 in Auckland. Some of the regular season matches were standalone fixtures, while others were double-headers with matches played by the teams' Super Rugby Pacific counterparts.[1][3]

Round 1

2 March 2024
14:05 (UTC+13)
Chiefs Manawa46–24Hurricanes Poua
Try: Azalleyah Maaka 11'
Kennedy Simon (2) 17', 28'
Ruby Tui 49'
Luka Connor (2) 66', 70'
Merania Paraone 77'
Con: Renee Holmes (4/7) 12', 29', 50', 68'
Pen: Renee Holmes (1/1) 58'		ReportTry: Elinor-Plum King 14'
Layla Sae 40'
Tamia Edwards 80+1'
Con: Isabella Waterman (2/2) 15', 41'
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (1/1) 80+2'
Pen: Isabella Waterman (1/1) 55'
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: Ben Woolerton
2 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Matatū17–24Blues Women
Try: Phillipa Love 40+1'
Winnie Palamo 48'
Grace Brooker 64'
Con: Rosie Kelly (1/3) 40+2'
Cards: Martha Mataele Yellow card 31'		ReportTry: Jaymie Kolose (2) 53', 70'
Krysten Cottrell 59'
Tafito Lafaele 78'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/4) 54', 60
Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: Natarsha Ganley

Round 2

9 March 2024
14:05 (UTC+13)
Blues Women10–17Chiefs Manawa
Try: Tafito Lafaele 44'
Mel Puckett 51'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (0/2)		ReportTry: Ruby Tui 6'
Grace Steinmetz 13'
Grace Kukutai 57'
Con: Renee Holmes (1/3) 14'
Cards: Chyna Hohepa Yellow card 50'
Bell Park, Pakuranga
Referee: Marcus Playle
9 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Hurricanes Poua36–29Matatū
Try: Monica Tagoai 8'
Shakira Baker (2) 17', 40'
Harmony Kautai 42'
Leilani Hakiwai 51'
Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono 76'
Con: Isabella Waterman (2/5) 17', 40+1'
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (1/1) 77'		ReportTry: Rosie Kelly 23'
Liv McGoverne 33'
Kaipo Olsen-Baker 64'
Amy Rule 69'
Con: Rosie Kelly (3/4) 34', 65', 70'
Pen: Rosie Kelly (1/1) 3'
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Will Johnston

Round 3

16 March 2024
14:05 (UTC+13)
Blues Women52–5Hurricanes Poua
Try: Grace Gago 40'
Tafito Lafaele 42'
Katelyn Vaha'akolo (3) 48', 53', 74'
Niall Williams-Guthrie 51'
Jaymie Kolose 58'
Maia Roos 67'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (6/8) 43', 50', 53', 59', 68', 75'		ReportTry: Harmony Kautai 80'
Con: Hannah King (0/1)
Cards: Cristo Taufua Yellow card 36'
Bell Park, Pakuranga
Referee: Angus Mabey
16 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Chiefs Manawa38–22Matatū
Try: Tanya Kalounivale 19'
Victoria Edmonds 25'
Luka Connor (3) 34', 40', 57'
Krystal Murray 75'
Con: Renee Holmes (4/6) 20', 26', 35', 58'		ReportTry: Charlotte Woodham 45'
Alana Bremner 54'
Winnie Palamo 67'
Con: Rosie Kelly (2/3) 46', 55'
Pen: Liv McGoverne (1/1) 17'
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: Tiana Anderson

Round 4

22 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Hurricanes Poua12–43Chiefs Manawa
Try: Monica Tagoai 13'
Elinor-Plum King 48'
Con: Isabella Waterman (1/2) 49'
Cards: Elinor-Plum King Yellow card 72'		ReportTry: Seina Saito (2) 11', 45'
Mererangi Paul 40+1'
Chelsea Semple 58'
Ruby Tui 64'
Victoria Edmonds 75'
Chyna Hohepa 79'
Con: Chelsea Semple (2/4) 12', 46'
Ariana Bayler (2/3) 65', 80'
Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Referee: Taneika Uerata
23 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Blues Women27 –17Matatū
Try: Katelyn Vaha'akolo 20'
Krysten Cottrell 56'
Aldora Itunu 64'
Angelica Mekemeke Vahai 80+1'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/4) 57', 80+2'
Pen: Krysten Cottrell (1/1) 18'
Cards: Eloise Blackwell Yellow card 34'		ReportTry: Georgia Ponsonby (2) 14', 47'
Di Hiini 51'
Con: Rosie Kelly (1/3) 48'
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Tiana Anderson

Round 5

29 March 2024
16:35 (UTC+13)
Matatū37–17Hurricanes Poua
Try: Rosie Kelly 12'
Grace Brooker 18'
Georgia Ponsonby (2) 28', 40'
Martha Mataele 53'
Lucy Jenkins (2) 56', 73'
Con: Rosie Kelly (0/3)
Liv McGoverne (1/4) 40+1'		ReportTry: Layla Sae 42'
Monica Tagoai 64'
Rangimarie Sturmey 80+2'
Con: Isabella Waterman (1/3) 43'
Cards: Shakira Baker Red card 55'
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
30 March 2024
14:05 (UTC+13)
Chiefs Manawa26–40Blues Women
Try: Ruby Tui 18'
Luka Connor 38'
Krystal Murray 65'
Chelsea Semple 75'
Con: Renee Holmes (2/3) 19', 76'
Ariana Bayler (1/1) 40'
Cards: Renee Holmes Yellow card 30'		ReportTry: Aldora Itunu 11'
Grace Gago 27'
Penalty try 30'
Sylvia Brunt 32'
Maia Roos 55'
Cheyenne Tuli-Fale 78'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (4/5) 12', 28', 34', 79'
Cards: Sylvia Brunt Yellow card 48'
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: Natarsha Ganley

Round 6

6 April 2024
14:05 (UTC+13)
Hurricanes Poua29–41Blues Women
Try: Monica Tagoai 27'
Iritana Hohaia 33'
Layla Sae 70'
Harmony Kautai 80+3'
Con: Hannah King (3/4) 34', 71', 80+4'
Pen: Hannah King (1/1) 21'		ReportTry: Aldora Itunu 3'
Ruahei Demant 6'
Katelyn Vaha'akolo (2) 8', 49'
Grace Gago 38'
Chryss Viliko 57'
Jaymie Kolose 78'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/4) 7', 39'
Patricia Maliepo (1/2) 50'
Ruahei Demant (0/1)
Cards: Eloise Blackwell Yellow card 60'
Grace Gago Yellow card 67'
Horowhenua Community Trust Levin Domain, Levin
Referee: Marcus Playle
6 April 2024
16:35 (GMT +13)
Matatū22–20Chiefs Manawa
Try: Georgia Ponsonby 6'
Winnie Palamo 19'
Amy du Plessis 66'
Liv McGoverne 72'
Con: Rosie Kelly (1/4) 20'		ReportTry: Mia Anderson 8'
Kennedy Simon 32'
Renee Holmes 47'
Con: Renee Holmes (1/3) 33'
Pen: Renee Holmes (1/1) 57'
Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch
Referee: Fraser Hannon

Final

13 April 2024
16:05 (UTC+12)
Blues Women24–18Chiefs Manawa
Try: Katelyn Vaha'akolo (2) 35', 72'
Kahlia Awa 65'
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 78'
Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/4) 74', 79'		ReportTry: Renee Holmes 5'
Mia Anderson 54'
Con: Renee Holmes (1/2) 55'
Pen: Renee Holmes (2/2) 33', 60'
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Natarsha Ganley
Blues Women:[4]
LP 1 New Zealand Chryss Viliko
HK 2 New Zealand Grace Gago
TP 3 New Zealand Aldora Itunu
LL 4 New Zealand Eloise Blackwell
RL 5 New Zealand Ma'ama Vaipulu
BF 6 New Zealand Maiakawanakaulani Roos (cc)
OF 7 New Zealand Niall Williams-Guthrie
N8 8 New Zealand Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
SH 9 New Zealand Melanie Puckett
FH 10 New Zealand Krysten Cottrell
LW 11 New Zealand Jaymie Kolose
IC 12 New Zealand Ruahei Demant (cc)
OC 13 New Zealand Daynah Nankivell
RW 14 New Zealand Katelyn Vaha'akolo
FB 15 New Zealand Patricia Maliepo
Replacements:
HK 16 Japan Nijiho Nagata
PR 17 New Zealand Maddi Robinson
PR 18 New Zealand Cheyenne Tuli-Fale
LF 19 New Zealand Charmaine McMenamin
LF 20 New Zealand Elizabith Moimoi
SH 21 New Zealand Kahlia Awa
OC 22 New Zealand Kerri Johnson / Angelica Mekemeke Vahai
WG 23 New Zealand Renee Woodman-Wickliffe
Coach:
New Zealand Willie Walker
Chiefs Manawa:[5]
LP 1 New Zealand Kate Henwood
HK 2 New Zealand Luka Connor
TP 3 New Zealand Tanya Kalounivale
LL 4 New Zealand Charmaine Smith
RL 5 New Zealand Chelsea Bremner
BF 6 New Zealand Mia Anderson
OF 7 New Zealand Kennedy Simon (c)
N8 8 New Zealand Chyna Hohepa
SH 9 New Zealand Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
FH 10 New Zealand Hazel Tubic
LW 11 New Zealand Reese Anderson
IC 12 New Zealand Grace Steinmetz
OC 13 New Zealand Mererangi Paul
RW 14 New Zealand Ruby Tui
FB 15 New Zealand Renee Holmes
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Vici-Rose Green
PR 17 New Zealand Krystal Murray
PR 18 Fiji Bitila Tawake
LK 19 New Zealand Grace Kukutai
LF 20 New Zealand Victoria Edmonds
SH 21 New Zealand Ariana Bayler
FH 22 New Zealand Chelsea Semple
OC 23 New Zealand Azalleyah Maaka
Coach:
New Zealand Crystal Kaua
Assistant Referees:

Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Chloe Sampson (New Zealand)

Players

Squads

The following squads have been named for the 2024 season.[6][7]

Blues Women squad [8]
Forwards Eloise Blackwell • Dajian Brown • Rebecca Burch • Esther Faiaoga-Tilo • Sophie Fisher • Grace Gago • Aldora Itunu • Paris Mataroa • Charmaine McMenamin • Liana Mikaele-Tu′u • Elizabith Moimoi • Nijiho Nagata • Alakoka Po′oi • Maddi Robinson • Maiakawanakaulani Roos • Cheyenne Tuli-Fale • Ma′ama Vaipulu • Chryss Viliko
Backs Kahlia Awa • Sylvia Brunt • Krysten Cottrell • Ruahei Demant • Kerri Johnson • Jaymie Kolose • Patricia Maliepo • Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai • Daynah Nankivell • Mel Puckett • Tara-Leigh Turner • Katelyn Vaha′akolo • Niall Williams-Guthrie
Coach Willie Walker
Chiefs Manawa squad [9]
Forwards Mia Anderson • Chelsea Bremner • Luka Connor • Victoria Edmonds • Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland • Vici-Rose Green • Kate Henwood • Chyna Hohepa • Tanya Kalounivale • Te Urupounamu McGarvey • Krystal Murray • Seina Saito • Kennedy Simon • Charmaine Smith • Bitila Tawake
Backs Reese Anderson • Ariana Bayler • Renee Holmes • Grace Kukutai • Azalleyah Ma′aka • Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu • Apii Nicholls • Merania Paraone • Mererangi Paul • Chelsea Semple • Grace Steinmetz • Georgia Thompson • Hazel Tubic • Ruby Tui • Olive Watherston
Coach Crystal Kaua
Hurricanes Poua squad [10]
Forwards Tamia Edwards • Marilyn Fanoga • Maddie Feaunati • Rhiarna Ferris • Tori Iosefo • Joanah Ngan-Woo • Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker • Jackie Patea-Fereti • Leilani Perese • Elinor Plum-King • Cilia-Marie Po′e-Tofaeono • Rachael Rakatau • Layla Sae • Kahurangi Sturmey • Samantha Taylor • Cristo Tofa
Backs Shakira Baker • Teilah Ferguson • Te Rauoriwa Gapper • Leilani Hakiwai • Iritana Hohaia • Harmony Kautai • Hannah King • Paige Lush • Holly-Rae Mete • Rangimarie Sturmey • Monica Tagoai • Kalyn Takitimu-Cook • Isabella Waterman
Coach Ngatai Walker
Matatū squad [11]
Forwards Laura Bayfield • Alana Bremner (c) • Emma Dermody • Eilis Doyle • Tegan Hollows • Lucy Jenkins • Atlanta Lolohea • Pip Love • Leah Miles • Stacey Niao • Kaipo Olsen-Baker • Mo′omo′oga Ashley Palu • Marcelle Parkes • Georgia Ponsonby • Kendra Reynolds • Amy Rule • Fiaali′i′i Solomona • Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Backs Grace Brooker • Georgia Cormick • Cheyenne Cunningham • Amy du Plessis • Di Hiini • Maia Joseph • Rosie Kelly • Martha Mataele • Liv McGoverne • Winnie Palamo • Chey Robins-Reti • Charlotte Woodham
Coach Whitney Hansen

References

  1. ^ a b "Action filled afternoons set for Sky Super Rugby Aupiki". New Zealand Rugby (Press release). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Blues storm home with late show to beat Chiefs Manawa for first Super Rugby Aupiki title". stuff.co.nz. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Sky Super Rugby Aupiki 2024 format confirmed". New Zealand Rugby (Press release). 10 October 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. ^ "nib Blues primed for Aupiki final". Blues (Press release). 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Chiefs Manawa excited for the big dance". Chiefs (Press release). 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads locked in for 2024". New Zealand Rugby. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Super Rugby Aupiki: Squads announced for the extended 2024 competition". stuff.co.nz. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  8. ^ "nib Blues 2024 Squad". Blues (Press release). 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Chiefs Manawa squad announced for 2024". Chiefs (Press release). 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Hurricanes Poua 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squad". Hurricanes (Press release). 27 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Matatū confirm squad for title defence in 2024". Matatū (Press release). 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.