By: Karolyn

19 March 2023

I’m excited about the women’s Super Rugby Aupiki semi-final games today (Sunday 19 March 2023), in spite of the small number of teams competing in the current competition. There’s been a noticeable recovery this year from the pandemic years of isolation when the Black Ferns didn’t play any internationals and slipped in the world rankings in the 15 and 7 aside divisions.  The Black Ferns 7s’ team has regained the top slot in the HSBC international rankings, winning the last 4 tournaments on the circuit. The domestic Super Rugby Aupiki competition shows a vast improvement in skills and tactics from the inaugural, pre-world cup tournament last year.

Nevertheless, after last year’s euphoria over the Black Ferns’ world cup win, the women’s game in Aotearoa/NZ is still showing it comes second to the country’s men’s game.  NZ Rugby has shown itself to be sluggish in developing the women’s game: How did the All Blacks get some international games during the pandemic border restrictions, while the Black Ferns remained isolated? Why hasn’t Rugby NZ already expand the Super Aupiki competition, with perhaps a 2^nd South Island Team as well as games with the 6 Aussie Super W teams?

The men’s and women’s games are each great to watch, while also demonstrating the difference between the bodies of males and females. Both divisions show that rugby is a game for diverse bodies, with the men’s game being faster and more muscular. The women’s game shows that women can be tough, tenacious, and muscular competitors, with some breath-taking ball handling and athletic skills. They show that women’s bodies come in all sizes and can be very powerful and inspiring, in contrast to the often-unrealistic, stereotypical images of femininity promoted in the media.

Take a look at the You Tube highlights from last week’s Super Rugby exciting Aupiki game between the Chiefs Manawa and Matatū.

Some of last year’s 15 aside world cup winning players continue to show their awesome form, plus there’s plenty of promising new talent coming through. Relative novice, 19 year old Jorga Miller is setting tongues wagging with her stand-out performances for the Black Ferns 7s team, racing away from the competition to score many tries. Meanwhile older hands like Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, Stacey Waaka- Fluhler, Tyla Nathan Wong, Michaela Blyde, and the impressive captain, Sarah Hirini, continue to shine.

See the players in fine form during the Cup Final against Australia in Vancouver 7s a couple of weeks ago.

In Super Rugby Aupiki 2023, I don’t see any teams beating the outstanding Chiefs Manawa, but I’m hoping my home team, the Blues, will step up a gear and beat the South Island Matatū in the semi-finals. The Chiefs Manawa have an exceptional front row, with Black Ferns’ standout Luka Connor in blistering form, whether it’s muscling up at the breakdown and the back of the mauls or breaking loose and diving over the try line to score yet another ‘meat pie’ (the term current Sky commentator Ruby Tui uses for the 5 pointers).

Hazel Tubic (#10) and Black Fern’s co-captain Kennedy Simon (#8) are among those playing stunning rugby and bringing some competition for Black Fern’s places later in the year. The Blues speedy winger Jaymie Kolose is one of the younger players to watch in the future.

While the semi-finals are between the only 4 teams in the competition and the winner likely a foregone conclusion, the players will be playing their hearts out, with places in the Black Ferns’ squad later in the year up for grabs. For a taster, see the You Tube highlights of last week’s match between the Hurricanes Poua and the Blues.

Today’s matches are between Matatū and the Blues (starts 3.15 pm) and the Chief’s Manawa and the Hurricanes Poua (starts at 6.05pm), both at North Harbour Stadium, Albany. They will be shown live on Sky Sport NZ, and also on Prime TV on Freeview (Sunday 19 March 2023, 3-5pm and 6-7.55pm)

References:

Rugby Australia, Super W 2023. https://www.rugby.com.au/competitions/super-w

You Tube highlights, Chiefs Manawa and Matatū Round 3 Super Rugby Aupiki 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jApEZYKghtg

1 News, “NZ Sevens teams take two wins each on opening day in Vancouver”, 4 March 2023. https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/04/nz-sevens-teams-take-two-wins-each-on-opening-day-in-vancouver/

You Tube, Cup final Women’s Sevens Rugby, Black Ferns vs Australia, Vancouver, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZKCCcMHI3Q

Joseph Pearson, Stuff, “Super Rugby Aupiki: Luka Connor leads form XV, Matatū halfback emerges as Black Ferns contender”, 1 March 2023. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/131353682/super-rugby-aupiki-luka-connor-leads-form-xv-matat-halfback-emerges-as-black-ferns-contender

Joseph Pearson, Stuff, 15 March 2023, “Super Rugby Aupiki: Hazel Tubic cracks form XV after masterclass at No 10 for Chiefs Manawa. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/131481809/super-rugby-aupiki-hazel-tubic-cracks-form-xv-after-masterclass-at-no-10-for-chiefs-manawa

You Tube, highlights Hurricances Poua and the Blues, Super Rugby Aupiki 2023 round 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2_cFs5Wvbg

Joseph Pearson, Stuff, “Super Rugby Aupiki: Sham semifinals highlight the need for meaningful expansion”, 17 March 2023. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/131499284/super-rugby-aupiki-sham-semifinals-highlight-the-need-for-meaningful-expansion

Twitter, Sky Sport NZ 17 March 2023. https://mobile.twitter.com/skysportnz/status/1636608457166946306

HOME