Chiefs Manawa get influx of stars as Aupiki squads announced

The squads for next year's Super Rugby Aupiki tournament have been announced this afternoon with last year's runner-ups Chiefs Manawa determined to go one better with the arrival of six star players.

The four Kiwi franchises announced their sides today, giving 120 players the chance to be part of next year's extended competition as well as a longer pre-season training programme and player payments increasing.

After being stunned in this year's final by Matatū 33-31 at home in Hamilton, Chiefs Manawa have had an active offseason as they look to reclaim their throne.

Ruby Tui and Chelsea Semple have rejoined the side, while Black Ferns Ariana Bayler from the Blues, Krystal Murray from the Hurricanes and Grace Steinmetz and Renee Holmes from Matatū will all become Chiefs as well.

On top of that, Chiefs Manawa are also leading the recruitment front at the international level with Fiji’s Bitila Tawake and Japan’s Seina Saito joining them.

“We have selected a team that by nature plays to our DNA – brutal and beautiful. Players that love the dark spaces, are decisive, instinctive and wanting to play what’s in front," Chiefs Manawa Head Coach Crystal Kaua said.

“Every player and staff member brings their unique piece to our team puzzle. There will be no lack of edge, and weekly selection is going to be tough.

“No position is a given and every day is going to be an arm wrestle,” Kaua added. “Our players are going to have to come in ready."

Elsewhere, Matatū has managed to retain the majority of their title-winning squad from last season, with senior players and playmakers set to line up alongside eight new signings and one returner.

Maia Joseph joins after a stellar season, having played for the Black Ferns XV in September after winning the Fiao’o Faamausili Medal FPC Player of the Year at the 2022 ASB Rugby Awards.

Other new recruits for Matatū who also played for Black Ferns XV include Laura Bayfield and Holly Wratt-Groeneweg.

“This is a squad to be excited about, we have really great depth across all positions, which is reflective of the great work being done in Otago, Canterbury and Tasman and the connections and pathways growing across these spaces," new coach Whitney Hansen said.

"We have a large number of returning players who are all phenomenal athletes, have great connections and will be great role models for the new talent coming through."

The Blues will again feature a high-octane backline with the likes of Ruahei Demant, Sylvia Brunt and Katelyn Vahaakolo while adding former Black Ferns Sevens star and recent NRLW rookie Niall Williams-Guthrie to their ranks.

Blues head coach Willie Walker said his side should hit the ground running in 2024.

“We created a family atmosphere last season and want players to express themselves in our environment," Walker said.

"We’ve selected some young, fresh faces with plenty of talent. We feel they’ll fit into the group and enable us to play an exciting brand of rugby.”

Finally, Hurricanes Poua will feature 12 new faces in their squad but will be missing one of their best-recognised with World Cup winning winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga ruled out of the 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season with an ACL injury.

“Ayesha is one of the most powerful wingers in world rugby so she will be a big loss to our squad. Everyone here at the Poua wishes her all the best in her recovery and looks forward to her playing a big part in the future when she returns," head coach Victoria Grant said.

The season will kick off in March with six weeks of round robin action before the top two teams play off for the title in a final. Matches will be a mix of standalone fixtures and double-headers with their Super Rugby Pacific counterparts.

The Super Rugby Aupiki draw will be announced next week.

Kahlia Awa, Eloise Blackwell, Dajian Brown, Sylvia Brunt, Rebecca Burch, Krysten Cottrell, Ruahei Demant, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Sophie Fisher, Grace Gago, Aldora Itunu, Kerri Johnson, Jaymie Kolose, Patricia Maliepo, Paris Mataroa, Charmaine McMenamin, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai, Liana Mikaele Tu'u, Elizabith Moimoi, Daynah Nankivell, Alakoka Po'oi, Mel Puckett, Maddi Robinson, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Tara-Leigh Turner, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maama Vaipulu, Chryss Viliko and Niall Williams-Guthrie

Reese Anderson, Mia Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Chelsea Bremner, Luka Connor, Georgia Thompson (nee Daals), Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland, Kate Henwood, Chyna Hohepa, Renee Holmes, Tanya Kalounivale, Grace Kukutai, Azalleyah Maaka, Victoria Makea, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Krystal Murray, Apii Nicholls, Merania Parone, Mererangi Paul, Te Uru Pounamu McGarvey, Vici-Rose Green, Seina Saito, Chelsea Semple, Kennedy Simon, Charmaine Smith, Grace Steinmetz, Bitila Tawake, Hazel Tubic, Ruby Tui, Olive Watherston

Shakira Baker, Tamia Edwards, Maddie Feaunati, Teilah Fergusson, Rhiarna Ferris, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Leilani Hakiwai, Iritana Hohaia, Tori Iosefo, Harmony Kautai, Hannah King, Marilyn Fanoga (nee Live), Paige Lush, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Leilani Perese, Elinor Plum-King, Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, Holly-Rae Mete, Rachael Rakatau, Layla Sae, Rangimarie Sturmey, Kahurangi Sturmey, Monica Tagoai, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Samantha Taylor, Cristo Tofa, Isabella Waterman

Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Grace Brooker, Georgia Cormick, Cheyenne Cunningham, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle, Amy du Plessis, Di Hiini, Tegan Hollows, Lucy Jenkins, Maia Joseph, Rosie Kelly, Atlanta Lolohea, Pip Love, Martha Mataele, Liv McGoverne, Leah Miles, Stacey Niao, Kaipo Olsen Baker, Winnie Palamo, Moomooga (Ashley) Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Georgia Ponsonby, Kendra Reynolds, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy Rule, Fiaali'i Solomona, Charlotte Woodman, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg

Black Ferns unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Santo Taumata, Kelsie Thwaites, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Natalie Delamare