New Zealand Rugby announces new four-team women's competition
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New Zealand Rugby has announced a new four-team women's competition for March 2022 called Super Rugby Aupiki.
The Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes, as well as a combined South Island team to be governed by the Crusaders and encompassing the Crusaders and Highlanders regions, will play across four weekends from March 2022.
The name Super Rugby Aupiki reflects on the competition being a crucial steppingstone between Farah Palmer Cup and the Black Ferns, with Aupiki translating to mean ‘the ascent to the upper most realm’.
Super Rugby Aupiki is here for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ and we’re 100% amped for our wāhine toa and their ascent to the best in rugby. Just check out how pumped, with our Sky team + 1 special guest 💪🏉🎉 pic.twitter.com/nIvvFhPgGz
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) October 5, 2021
Clubs will contract 28 players, with squads expected to be named in the next month. Players will assemble for one preseason match before coming together four days a week through the competition window in March.
The head coaches who will be tasked with selecting the first Super Rugby Aupiki squads have been confirmed.
The four women’s Super Rugby Head Coaches are:
Chiefs: Allan Bunting – former Black Ferns Sevens Coach
Hurricanes: Wesley Clarke – Black Ferns Assistant Coach
Blues: Willie Walker – Auckland Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) Coach
South Island: Blair Baxter – Canterbury FPC Coach
BREAKING 🚨 | Olympic Gold Medal winning coach Allan Bunting is the new Chiefs Women Head Coach 🥇
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) October 5, 2021
Super Rugby Aupiki will feature 4 teams & play across 4 weekends starting in March 2022 🏉
FULL STORY - https://t.co/FkhQ4LsqB3#ChiefsMana pic.twitter.com/7a1nEf0CcG
Congratulations to Blair Baxter, Head Coach of the new South Island Women’s team for Super Rugby Aupiki as the competition gets the green light for March 2022 ✅ 🇳🇿
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) October 5, 2021
Read more here 👉🏼 https://t.co/dAeOqGoQr3 pic.twitter.com/22MWPZz1NN
