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A team chock-a-block with Black Ferns took out the title last year. Can the Chiefs Manawa do it again in 2023?
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It was a moment no-one involved with the Chiefs Manawa team will ever forget: captain Les Elder holding aloft the Super Rugby Aupiki trophy, last March. It was the culmination of a well-organised campaign featuring some match winners who would later star for the Black Ferns at Rugby World Cup. Chiefs Manawa started with a tight 17–15 win over Matatu - before more convincing victories over Hurricanes Poua (29–8) and the Blues Women (35–0). So what of this year’s chances? Such is the depth of talent available in the Chiefs Manawa squad that the defending champions will go in as the team to beat, despite missing Black Ferns attacking stars Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler and Portia Woodman. The three superstars of the women’s game will be missed for sure but their absence opens up opportunities for other players to shine.
Chiefs Manawa’s squad still features nine women’s Rugby World Cup-winning Black Ferns in forwards Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chelsea Bremner,
Kennedy Simon, Luka Connor, Santo Taumata and Tanya Kalounivale, plus Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic and Renee Wickliffe in the backs.
Hooker Connor was a stand-out performer for the Chiefs Manawa last season and her consistent performances were rewarded by winning the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year. Her physical approach to the game and accuracy at set piece will again be a key factor in her team’s chances.
Two major recruits to bolster the forward pack are Black Ferns lock Chelsea Bremner, who had a stellar Rugby World Cup and has made the move north from Matatu, and former Black Fern Charmaine Smith who played for the Blues Women last season.
Other notable new signings include former Hurricanes Poua players Amanda Rasch and Dhys Faleafaga. Rasch is a talented first-five who is one of the best goalkickers in the country. She was named in the 2016 Black Ferns training squad and was part of the 2019 Black Ferns Development XV.
Six new rookies have also been named in Azalleyah Maaka and Te Urupounamu McGarvey (Bay of Plenty), Mererangi Paul (Auckland), Violet Hapi-Wise, Tynealle Fitzgerald and Merania Paraone (Waikato) after their outstanding performances in the Farah Palmer Cup.
New head coach Crystal Kaua worked as an assistant coach to Wes Clarke in last year’s Aupiki.
She brings a wealth of coaching experience, particularly from her role as an outstanding analyst and skills coach with the Black Ferns Sevens.
“We have a great balance of youth and experience with nine players who have just won a World Cup, as well as eight others who are current or past Black Ferns, which will make selection very competitive,” she says.
“The good human piece is vital in our selection. We want it to be competitive but with love – the drive to be better, make each other better and make the team better. Our end game is maximising the uniqueness of every player, creating an environment where people feel they belong and can play with freedom.”
Kennedy Simon will captain Chiefs Manawa for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season. The 26-year-old loose forward was co-captain of the Black Ferns at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Former Black Ferns coaches Darryl Suasua and Greg Smith have joined up with head coach Kaua, and her husband Brent, to form an impressive coaching group. Suasua is the attacking skills coach, while Smith will work with their set piece. Kaua, Bay of Plenty’s head coach in the Farah Palmer Cup, will be the counter-attack and kicking coach.
Chiefs Manawa Squad
FORWARDS:
Angel Mulu, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Charmaine Smith, Chelsea Bremner, Chyna Hohepa, Dhys Faleafaga, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Kelsie Wills, Kennedy Simon, Luka Connor, Santo Taumata, Tanya Kalounivale, Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Victoria Makea, Harono Te Iringa.
BACKS:
Amanda Rasch, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Azalleyah Maaka, Carla Hohepa, Georgia Daals, Hazel Tubic, Langi Veainu, Mererangi Paul, Violet Hapi-Wise, Apii Nicholls-Pualau, Abigail Roache, Merania Paraone.
Hurricanes Poua
Coach: Victoria Grant
Captain: Jackie Patea-Fereti
Home grounds: Levin Domain; Sky Stadium, Wellington
Website: www.hurricanes.co.nz
Tickets: hurricanes.flicket.co.nz
Contact:
Level 2, 191 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea, Wellington. Phone 04 389 0020
Email: mail@hurricanes.co.nz
Team TAB odds: $7.00
