\n\u2018Meat pies\u2019 aplenty: NZ women\u2019s rugby on the up<\/strong>
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[av_hr class=’invisible’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’20’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-929sk3′ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]<\/p>\n
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lfdhkidd’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”] 19 March 2023 I\u2019m excited about the women\u2019s 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\u2019s been a noticeable recovery this year from the pandemic years of isolation when the Black Ferns didn\u2019t play any internationals and slipped in the world rankings in the 15 and 7 aside divisions. \u00a0The Black Ferns 7s\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, after last year\u2019s euphoria over the Black Ferns\u2019 world cup win, the women\u2019s game in Aotearoa\/NZ is still showing it comes second to the country\u2019s men\u2019s game. \u00a0NZ Rugby has shown itself to be sluggish in developing the women\u2019s game: How did the All Blacks get some international games during the pandemic border restrictions, while the Black Ferns remained isolated? Why hasn\u2019t Rugby NZ already expand the Super Aupiki competition, with perhaps a 2nd<\/sup> South Island Team as well as games with the 6 Aussie Super W teams<\/a>?<\/p>\n The men\u2019s and women\u2019s 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\u2019s game being faster and more muscular. The women\u2019s game shows that women can be tough, tenacious, and muscular competitors, with some breath-taking ball handling and athletic skills. They show that women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Take a look at the You Tube highlights from last week\u2019s Super Rugby exciting Aupiki game between the Chiefs Manawa and Matat\u016b<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some of last year\u2019s 15 aside world cup winning players continue to show their awesome form, plus there\u2019s 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n See the players in fine form during the Cup Final against Australia in Vancouver 7s a couple of weeks ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n In Super Rugby Aupiki 2023, I don\u2019t see any teams beating the outstanding Chiefs Manawa, but I\u2019m hoping my home team, the Blues, will step up a gear and beat the South Island Matat\u016b in the semi-finals. The Chiefs Manawa have an exceptional front row, with Black Ferns\u2019 standout Luka Connor in blistering form<\/a>, whether it\u2019s muscling up at the breakdown and the back of the mauls or breaking loose and diving over the try line to score yet another \u2018meat pie\u2019 (the term current Sky commentator Ruby Tui uses for the 5 pointers).<\/p>\n 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\u2019 squad later in the year up for grabs. For a taster, see the You Tube highlights of last week\u2019s match between the Hurricanes Poua and the Blues<\/a>.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s matches are between Matat\u016b and the Blues (starts 3.15 pm) and the Chief\u2019s Manawa and the Hurricanes Poua (starts at 6.05pm), <\/a>both at North Harbour Stadium, Albany. They will be shown live on Sky Sport<\/a> NZ, and also on Prime TV on Freeview (Sunday 19 March 2023, 3-5pm and 6-7.55pm)<\/p>\n References:<\/strong><\/p>\n Rugby Australia, Super W 2023. https:\/\/www.rugby.com.au\/competitions\/super-w<\/p>\n You Tube highlights, Chiefs Manawa and Matat\u016b Round 3 Super Rugby Aupiki 2023. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jApEZYKghtg<\/p>\n 1 News, \u201cNZ Sevens teams take two wins each on opening day in Vancouver\u201d, 4 March 2023. https:\/\/www.1news.co.nz\/2023\/03\/04\/nz-sevens-teams-take-two-wins-each-on-opening-day-in-vancouver\/<\/p>\n You Tube, Cup final Women\u2019s Sevens Rugby, Black Ferns vs Australia, Vancouver, 2023. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oZKCCcMHI3Q<\/p>\n Joseph Pearson, Stuff, \u201cSuper Rugby Aupiki: Luka Connor leads form XV, Matat\u016b halfback emerges as Black Ferns contender\u201d, 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<\/p>\n Joseph Pearson, Stuff, 15 March 2023, \u201cSuper 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<\/p>\n You Tube, highlights Hurricances Poua and the Blues, Super Rugby Aupiki 2023 round 3. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=o2_cFs5Wvbg<\/p>\n Joseph Pearson, Stuff, \u201cSuper Rugby Aupiki: Sham semifinals highlight the need for meaningful expansion\u201d, 17 March 2023. https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/sport\/women-in-sport\/131499284\/super-rugby-aupiki-sham-semifinals-highlight-the-need-for-meaningful-expansion<\/p>\n Twitter, Sky Sport NZ 17 March 2023. https:\/\/mobile.twitter.com\/skysportnz\/status\/1636608457166946306<\/p>\n
\nBy: Karolyn
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