# 2024 Farah Palmer Cup

The 2024 Farah Palmer Cup season is the 18th season of the competition. The regular season will run from 9 August to 22 September, with the playoffs running from 14 September to 5 October. Auckland come into the 2024 season as the defending champions after defeating Canterbury in the Premiership final in 2023. Northland will now compete in the Premiership division after winning the Championship division last season.

## Format

The regular season consists of two types of matches. Each union play home or away games against each team from their division, making a total of six competition games during the regular season for each union in the Premiership pool, and five regular season games for those in the Championship pool. In both the Premiership and Championship division, the top 4 teams then play off in semi-finals with the two winning sides meeting in the grand final.
The Farah Palmer Cup standings are sorted by a competition points system. Four points are awarded to the winning team, a draw earns two points, whilst a loss amounts to zero points. Unions can also win their side a respectable bonus point. To receive a bonus point, they must score four tries or more, or lose by seven points or less. Each team is placed on their total points received. If a tiebreaker is necessary, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who acquired more competition points against the other tied team(s) gets placed higher. In the case that separation is still not made, the winner of the head-to-head result between the teams will get rights to be ranked above. This seeding format was only implemented for the 2020 competition.

## Standings
### Premiership

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Auckland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 17 | +31 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Counties Manukau | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Waikato | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 26 | +16 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Bay of Plenty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 42 | −16 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Canterbury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 47 | −23 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | Hawke's Bay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Northland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 48 | −31 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Championship

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Manawatū | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 7 | +79 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Wellington | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 12 | +39 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Otago | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | North Harbour | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Tasman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 51 | −39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Taranaki | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Regular season
### Week 1

* 9 August 2024 17:05
| Auckland | 48–17 | Northland |
| Try: Braxton Sorensen-McGee 10' Levonah Motuliki 30' Daynah Nankivell (2) 35', 44 Le'Oxyean Maiu'u 46' Sulieti Halafihi 69' Eloise Blackwell 76' Con: Braxton Sorensen-McGee (4/6) 11', 36', 47', 52' Daynah Nankivell (0/2) | | Try: Arlia MacCarthy 6' Anetha Young 16' Lily Murray-Wihongi 54' Con: Tyler Nankivell (1/2) 16' Eden Cherrington (0/1) |
* Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
* 10 August 2024 12:05
| Counties Manukau | 47–24 | Canterbury |
| Try: Leitisia Vehekite 3' Jaymie Kolose (2) 18', 78' Harono Te Iringa 34' Hazel Tubic 47' Kataraina Enosa-Taifau 54' Mele Latu'ila 72' Con: Hazel Tubic (6/7) 4', 19', 35', 48', 55', 74' | | Try: Fia Laikong (2) 11', 66' Kilisitina Vea 53' Winnie Palamo 80' Con: Abigail Paton (1/2) 53' Caitlin Sears (1/2) 80+1' |
* Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: Ben Woolerton
* 10 August 2024 12:05
| Wellington | 51–12 | Tasman |
| Try: Angelica Schwencke 2' Drenna Falaniko (2) 4', 37' Harmony Kautai (3) 21, 58, 74' Milly Mackey 46' Tess Woldring 61' Con: Milly Mackey (1/5) 5' Arene Landon-Lane (2/3) 62', 75' Cards: Sophie Irving 35' | | Try: Avau Filimaua 29' Lucy Brown 40+5' Con: Sarah Jones (1/2) 40+6' |
* Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua Referee: Taneika Uerata
* 10 August 2024 14:05
| Waikato | 42–26 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Montessa Tairakena 7' Violet Hapi-Wise 18' Grace Houpapa-Barrett (3) 30, 43, 76' Kiriana Nolan 38' Lela Iremia 58' Con: Chelsea Semple (2/6) 31', 39' Pen: Chelsea Semple (1/1) 3' | | Try: Jorydn Tihore (2) 13', 47' Grace Parata-Stewart 52' Payton Takimoana 71' Con: Kelly Brazier (3/3) 14' 48' 53' Hope Parata-Kingi (0/1) Pen: Kelly Brazier (0/1) |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Referee: Chloe Sampson
* 11 August 2024 11:35
| North Harbour | 21–24 | Otago |
| Try: Izzy East 26' Mikayla Suluape 59' Rialani Onesemo-Tuilaepa 76' Con: Mikayla Suluape (3/3) 27' 60', 77' | | Try: Zoe Whatarau 16' Sheree Hume (2) 45', 56' Te Atawhai Campbell 80+2' Con: Georgia Cormick (1/3) 46' Sheree Hume (1/1) 80+3' |
* North Harbour Stadium, Albany Referee: Tiana Anderson
* 11 August 2024 14:05
| Manawatu | 86–7 | Taranaki |
| Try: Alesha Williams (2)7', 13 Molly Scuffil-McCabe (3) 7', 16', 40+1' Jayme Nuku 11' Ngano Tavake 20' Wikitoria Doyle 27' Elinor King 37' Kahurangi Sturmey 45' Kaia Walker-Waitoa (2) 59', 64 Patricia Heihei 74' Holly Powell 77' Con: Maia Davis (8/14) 5', 12', 16' 21', 28', 45', 60', 75' | | Try: Louise Blyde 50' Con: Laura Claridge (1/1) 51' Cards: Tangini Latu 72' |
* Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North Referee: Estelle Whaiapu
Bye: Hawke's Bay

### Week 2

* 17 August 2024 12:05
| Manawatu | 47–12 | Otago |
| Try: Jayme Nuku 3' Selica Winiata 13' Wikitoria Doyle 19' Rangimarie Sturmey 47' Wikitoria Doyle 27' Hollyrae Mete 51' Molly Scuffil-McCabe 55' Alesha Williams 80' Con: Selica Winiata (6/7) 14', 20', 48', 52', 56', 80+1' | | Try: Oceana Campbell 44' Te Atawhai Campbell 76' Con: Cheyenne Cunningham (1/2) 77' Cards: Rikki Fitzgerald 74' |
* Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North Referee: Chloe Sampson
* 17 August 2024 12:05
| Taranaki | 61–7 | Wellington |
| Try: Hayley Gabriel 69' Con: Laura Claridge (1/1) 70' Pen: Laura Claridge (0/1) | | Try: Dreanna Falaniko 9' Monica Tagoai 27' Milly Mackey (2) 37, 77' Valini Vaka 54' Tess Woldring 57' Jackie Patea-Fereti 59' Joanah Ngan-Woo 75' Te Raukura Leafe 80' Con: Milly Mackey (8/9) 10', 28', 38', 54', 58', 60', 79', 80+1 |
* Hicks Park, Hawera Referee: Ben Woolerton
* 17 August 2024 14:05
| Hawke's Bay | 32–36 | Counties Manukau |
| Try: Jaimee Robin 5' Leah Tuhi 10' Raedeen Blake 16' Khalia Awa 73' Maieta Pailate 79' Con: Krysten Cottrell (2/5) 12', 74' Pen: Krysten Cottrell (1/1) 52' | | Try: Kataraina Enosa-Taifau (2) 8', 45' Fou Sefo 31' Shyanne Thompson 63' Harono Te Iringa 66' Jaymie Kolose 70' Con: Hazel Tubic (3/6) 46', 64', 70' |
* McLean Park, Napier Referee: Tiana Anderson
* 17 August 2024 16:35
| Northland | 12–26 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Nia Sutherland 8' Holli O'Sullivan 34' Con: Michella'e Stolz (1/2) 35' Cards: Stacey Tupe 67' Elizabeth Fono 78' | | Try: Grace Parata-Stewart 29' Kokako Raki (2) 46', 68' Karli Faneva 80+1 Con: Kelly Brazier (0/4) Pen: Kelly Brazier (2/2) 51' 80' |
* Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei Referee: Sam Adam
* 18 August 2024 12:05
| North Harbour | 46–5 | Tasman |
| Try: Georgia Briefly (2) 5', 40+2' Mikayla Suluape 9' Moana Courtenay 11' Dayna Moon 17' Tsubasa Sasagawa 52' U. Eteru-Fuailefau (2) 68, 77' Con: Mikayla Suluape (3/8) 12', 17', 53' Pen: Mikayla Suluape (0/1) Cards: Demielle Onesomo-Tuilaepa 49' Moana Courtenay 65' | | Try: Fiaalli Solomoana 58' Con: Sarah Jones (0/1) Cards: Fiaalli Solomoana 40+2' Alisi Seigafo 80' |
* North Harbour Stadium, Albany Referee: Erin Doherty
* 18 August 2024 14:05
| Canterbury | 10–7 | Waikato |
| Try: Nicole Purdom 59' Con: Abigail Paton (1/1) 61' Pen: Abigail Paton (1/1) 7' | | Try: Grace Houpapa-Barrett 40+1' Con: Chelsea Semple (1/1) 40+2' Pen: Chelsea Semple (0/1) |
* Rugby Park, Christchurch Referee: Ben Alexander
Bye: Auckland

### Week 3

Bye: Waikato

### Week 4

Bye: Canterbury

### Week 5

Bye: Bay of Plenty

### Week 7
## Play-offs

Premiership
| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |
Championship
| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |

## Statistics

    As of 10 August 2024

### Leading point scorers

| No. | Player | Team | Points | Average | Details |
| 1 | Milly Mackey | Wellington | 33 | 16.5 | 3 T, 9 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 2 | Hazel Tubic | Counties Manukau | 23 | 11.5 | 1 T, 9 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 3 | Mikayla Suluape | North Harbour | 15 | 15.0 | 2 T, 6 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 4 | Molly Scuffil-McCabe | Manawatu | 20 | 10.0 | 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 5 | Grace Houpapa-Barrett | Waikato | 20 | 10.0 | 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |

### Leading try scorers

| No. | Player | Team | Tries | Average |
| 1 | Molly Scuffil-McCabe | Manawatu | 4 | 2.0 |
| 3 | Grace Houpapa-Barrett | Waikato | 4 | 2.0 |
| 2 | Milly Mackey | Wellington | 3 | 1.5 |
| 4 | Jaymie Kolose | Counties Manukau | 3 | 1.5 |
| 5 | Kataraina Enosa-Taifu | Counties Manukau | 3 | 1.5 |

## Players
### Squads

The following squads have been named for the 2024 season.
Northland squad :
| Forwards | Krystal Murray • Ruihana Clarke • Hikitia Wikaira • Wikitoria Rogers • Kredence Brown • Trish Vaka • Leilani Erwin • Charmaine Smith • Corina Blair • Bailey O'Sullivan • Anthea Jane Young • Terai Elia • Tui McGeorge • Lily Murray-Wihongi • Nora Maaka • Tuira Stowers • Ilaise Fale |
| Backs | Carlia Dodd • Steffi Hooson • Holli O'Sullivan • Stacey Tupe • Eden Cherrington • Tyler Nankivell • Arlia MacCartney • Nia Sutherland • Ocean Tierney • Kalani Walters-Hewson • Serai Murray-Wihongi • Tara Turner • Kerri Johnson • Michella'e Stolz |
| Apprentices | Kahlanie Hebden-Salase • Bailee Nankivell |
| Coach | Janna Vaughan |
North Harbour squad :
| Forwards | Oceane De Reuck-Donelley • Katelyn Hilton • Trinity Rika • Ruby Tangulu • Tenaija Fletcher • Ciara O'Connor • Rialanu Onesemo • Sharon Toailoa • Clementine Varea • Armani Lam • Manutala'aho Huni-Po'ese • Margaret Wye • Barb Auava • Izzy Eeast • Madison Johnson • Danielle Mellow • Christabelle Onesemo • Demi Onesemo |
| Backs | Claudia Hanham • Janelle Kara • Christine Moncrieff • Ashlee Partelow • Casey Richardson-Mould • Hailey Beale • Ella Henderson • Olivia Waldron • Abbey Carroll • Moana Courtnenay-Malupo • Ellie Harrison • Annika Nortje • Holly Williams • Georgia Brierly • Sola Eteru • Ava-Lee Jericevich • Dayna Moon • Tsubasa Sasagaawa • Mikayla Suluape • Latisha Trigwell-Achmad |
| Coach | tbc |
Auckland squad :
| Forwards | Lavina Elliott • Jorja Freuean • Aldora Itunu • Cila-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono • Letelemalanuola Lavea • Cheyenne Tuli-Fale • Chryss Viliko • Rori Wood • Faith Nonutunu • Cristo Tofa • Eloise Blackwell • Mikaya Kaipo • Tiale Lelenga • Maiakawanakaulani Roos • Maama Vaipulu • Ojahn Aukuso • Dajian Brown • Danny-Elle Fesoloai • Sulieti Halafihi • Samaria Kaipo • Ashley Matapo • Charmaine McMenanmin • Liana Mikaele-Tu'u • Elizabeth Moimoii |
| Backs | France Bloomfield • Aleiyah Tuala • Ruahei Demant • Gillian Fa'aumu • Karla Wright-Akeli • Sylvia Brunt • Letiara Foster • Danii Mafoe • Daynah Nankivell • Zahnia Papali'i • Le'Oxyean Maiu'u • Patricia Maliepo • Angelica Mekemeke Vahai • Levonah Motuliki • Presayus Singh • Braxton Sorensen-McGee • Faith Tavita • Katelyn Vaha'akolo |
| Coach | tbc |
Counties Manukau squad :
| Forwards | Lulu Leuta • Mafi Pasikala • Fou Sefo • Anastasia Mamea • Ti Tauasosi • Leilani Perese • Lana Samuela • Harono Te Iringa • Rebecca Burch • Vineta Teutau • Paris Mataroa • Utu Antonio • Misakia Suzuki • Sina Hetet • Stacey Brown • Margaret Manasa • Esther Amataga • Joanna Fanene-Lolo • Leitisia Vehekite • Anita Faimausi-Brown |
| Backs | Paige Makiri • Ffion Penney • Hazel Tubic • Luisa Togotogorua • Shoshanah Seumanutafa • Kataraina Enosa-Taifau • Yurina Shinno • Jaymie Kolose • Shyanna Thompson • Sariyah Paitai • Mele Latu'ila |
| Coach | tbc |
Waikato squad :
| Forwards | Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland • Chyann Kaitapu • Chyna Hohepa • Claudia Hobbs • Emma-Lee Heta • Finau Mafi • Foa Samuelu • Grace Houpapa-Barrett • Jade Coates • Kennedy Simon • Leata Puni-Lio • Leomie Kloppers • Logan Hauraki • Mia Anderson • Roelien Du Plessis • Sammy Spence • Silia Sakalia • Taifau Fetalaiga • Tanya Kalounivale • Toka Natua • Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu • Vici-Rose Green • Victoria Edmonds |
| Backs | Ana Marsters • Ariana Bayler • Chelsea Semple • Hinemaringi Scott • Kaea Nepia • Keighley Brough • Kiriana Nolan • Lele Ieremia • Montesse Tairakena • Rayarn Tamati • Reese Anderson • Renee Holmes • Rina Paraone • Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a • Violet Hapi-Wise • Yu Sato |
| Coach | James Semple |
Bay of Plenty squad :
| Forwards | Kate Henwood • Te Urupounamu McGarvey • Angel Mulu • Santo Taumata • Jennifer Vea • Olivia Warlow • Manu Anderson • Luka Connor • Phoenix Ried-Stowers • Jordyn Tihore • Sokopeti Akauola • Regan Casey • Karli Faneva • Jessie Wharekura • Nadia Flavell • Jennifer Nduka • Kendra Reynolds • Rachel Smith • Holly Wratt-Groeneweg |
| Backs | Emma Birkett • Kanyon Paul • Riko Sasaki • Rosie Kelly • Sapphire Tapsell • Mele Akolo • Azalleyah Maaka • Kokako Raki • Payton Takimoana • Kesha Church • Grace Parata-Stewart • Kiana Rae • Olive Watherston • Hope Parata-Kingi • Kiki Tahere |
| Coach | tbc |
Canterbury squad :
| Forwards | Charlotte Allen • Neve Anglesey • Laura Bayfield • Keelah Bodle • Jaidyn Busch • Emma Dermody • Sally-James Houlahan • Atlanta Lolohea • Georgia Ponsonby • Manon Johnes • Amy Rule • Pip Love • Amy Milnes • Chelsea Bremner • Alana Bremner • Stacey Niao • Moomooga Palu • Lucy Jenkins • Philomena Petaia • Nicole Purdom • Maddison Robinson • Keighley Simpson • Adi Vani Taleqa • Kilisitina Vea |
| Backs | Hannah King • Harriet Cochrane • Terauoriwa Gapper • Fia Laikong • Winnie Palamo • Martha Mataele • Abigail Paton • Amy Du Plessis • Leanna Ryan • Tayla Simpson • Riko Yoshida • Grace Steinmetz |
| Coach | Mona Paraki |

## JJ Stewart Trophy

The JJ Stewart Trophy is a trophy based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies. The holding union must defend the trophy in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the trophy.
Canterbury started the season as holders of the trophy, which they have held for 23 consecutive defences dating back to 2016. Canterbury are obligated to place the trophy up for challenge in all of their regular season home games. Canterbury first defence for 2024 will come against Waikato in Round 2.