# 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season

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.
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.

## 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.

## 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 | Super Rugby Aupiki Fnal |
| 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 | |

## 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.

### Round 1

* 2 March 2024 14:05 (UTC+13)
| Chiefs Manawa | 46–24 | Hurricanes 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' | Report | Try: 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)
| Matatū | 17–24 | Blues Women |
| Try: Phillipa Love 40+1' Winnie Palamo 48' Grace Brooker 64' Con: Rosie Kelly (1/3) 40+2' Cards: Martha Mataele 31' | Report | Try: 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 Women | 10–17 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Tafito Lafaele 44' Mel Puckett 51' Con: Krysten Cottrell (0/2) | Report | Try: Ruby Tui 6' Grace Steinmetz 13' Grace Kukutai 57' Con: Renee Holmes (1/3) 14' Cards: Chyna Hohepa 50' |
* Bell Park, Pakuranga Referee: Marcus Playle
* 9 March 2024 16:35 (UTC+13)
| Hurricanes Poua | 36–29 | Matatū |
| 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' | Report | Try: 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 Women | 52–5 | Hurricanes 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' | Report | Try: Harmony Kautai 80' Con: Hannah King (0/1) Cards: Cristo Taufua 36' |
* Bell Park, Pakuranga Referee: Angus Mabey
* 16 March 2024 16:35 (UTC+13)
| Chiefs Manawa | 38–22 | Matatū |
| 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' | Report | Try: 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 Poua | 12–43 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Monica Tagoai 13' Elinor-Plum King 48' Con: Isabella Waterman (1/2) 49' Cards: Elinor-Plum King 72' | Report | Try: 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 Women | 27 –17 | Matatū |
| 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 34' | Report | Try: 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)
| Matatū | 37–17 | Hurricanes 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' | Report | Try: Layla Sae 42' Monica Tagoai 64' Rangimarie Sturmey 80+2' Con: Isabella Waterman (1/3) 43' Cards: Shakira Baker 55' |
* Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
* 30 March 2024 14:05 (UTC+13)
| Chiefs Manawa | 26–40 | Blues 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 30' | Report | Try: 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 48' |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Referee: Natarsha Ganley

### Round 6

* 6 April 2024 14:05 (UTC+13)
| Hurricanes Poua | 29–41 | Blues 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' | Report | Try: 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 60' Grace Gago 67' |
* Horowhenua Community Trust Levin Domain, Levin Referee: Marcus Playle
* 6 April 2024 16:35 (GMT +13)
| Matatū | 22–20 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Georgia Ponsonby 6' Winnie Palamo 19' Amy du Plessis 66' Liv McGoverne 72' Con: Rosie Kelly (1/4) 20' | Report | Try: 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 Women | 24–18 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Katelyn Vaha'akolo (2) 35', 72' Kahlia Awa 65' Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 78' Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/4) 74', 79' | Report | Try: 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
| LP | 1 | Chryss Viliko |
| HK | 2 | Grace Gago |
| TP | 3 | Aldora Itunu |
| LL | 4 | Eloise Blackwell |
| RL | 5 | Ma'ama Vaipulu |
| BF | 6 | Maia Roos (cc) |
| OF | 7 | Niall Guthrie |
| N8 | 8 | Liana Mikaele-Tu'u |
| SH | 9 | Mel Puckett |
| FH | 10 | Krysten Cottrell |
| LW | 11 | Jaymie Kolose |
| IC | 12 | Ruahei Demant (cc) |
| OC | 13 | Daynah Nankivell |
| RW | 14 | Katelyn Vaha'akolo |
| FB | 15 | Patricia Maliepo |
| Replacements: |||
| HK | 16 | Nijiho Nagata |
| PR | 17 | Maddi Robinson |
| PR | 18 | Cheyenne Tuli-Fale |
| LF | 19 | Charmaine McMenamin |
| LF | 20 | Elizabith Moimoi |
| SH | 21 | Kahlia Awa |
| OC | 22 | Kerri Johnson / Angelica Mekemeke Vahai |
| WG | 23 | Renee Woodman-Wickliffe |
| Coach: |||
| Willie Walker |||
| LP | 1 | Kate Henwood |
| HK | 2 | Luka Connor |
| TP | 3 | Tanya Kalounivale |
| LL | 4 | Charmaine Smith |
| RL | 5 | Chelsea Bremner |
| BF | 6 | Mia Anderson |
| OF | 7 | Kennedy Simon (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Chyna Hohepa |
| SH | 9 | Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu |
| FH | 10 | Hazel Tubic |
| LW | 11 | Reese Anderson |
| IC | 12 | Grace Steinmetz |
| OC | 13 | Mererangi Paul |
| RW | 14 | Ruby Tui |
| FB | 15 | Renee Holmes |
| Replacements: |||
| HK | 16 | Vici-Rose Green |
| PR | 17 | Krystal Murray |
| PR | 18 | Bitila Tawake |
| LK | 19 | Grace Kukutai |
| LF | 20 | Victoria Edmonds |
| SH | 21 | Ariana Bayler |
| FH | 22 | Chelsea Semple |
| OC | 23 | Azalleyah Maaka |
| Coach: |||
| 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.
Blues Women squad :
| 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 :
| 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 :
| 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 :
| 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 |