Super Rugby Aupiki Squads are named
I'm back to give you a plate of steaming hot reckons
Today, I have been told not to leave bed as I’m still recovering from the adrenaline crash post Rugby World Cup. But today is also the day they announced the 2023 Aupiki squads so of course I’m going to have to talk about it.
The Aupiki Squads that have been announced for 2023
BIG MOVES
There has been a distinct bleed of players from the Blue between this season. Charmaine Smith to the Chiefs Manawa, Krystal Murray to the Hurricanes Poua along with their inaugural captain Aroha Savage. If I were New Zealand Rugby or the Player’s Association, I would be looking to have exit interviews with this players to see if there was anything I needed to be concerned about cause to lose your captain is no small event. As a Poua member though, I am stoked.
Chelsea Bremner is heading North, heading up to the Manawa from the Matatū. Perhaps it’ll be nice for her to play some footy away from her sister for a change. Matatū looking a little light on experience in their locks though, when comparing to other squads. With Smith and Bremner now up in Hamilton, where does that leave Harono Te Iringa? She was a stand out for me last season so I hope we haven’t lost her to league.
Chey Robins-Reti has popped up at Matatū to link with her Waikato team mate Renee Holmes. This is good news for all of us as they are a tasty pairing and I am looking for to them getting more game time together.
BIG QUESTION MARK
Where the heck is the World Rugby Breakthrough 15s Player of the year and darling of the Rugby World Cup, Ruby Tui?
The 7s question and the role these athletes play in 15s is still yet to be answered. I understand why they are brought in, that role we frequently ask them to play in covering for underinvestment in our 15s game. But I am so frustrated in moments like this where we are left without those whose profile is what folks connect with.
Looking across the team lists it is clear that the sevens players have been recalled to their world circuit duties. We need to figure out what we are doing with these players as it’s not just about winning World Cups it is about growing the game and retaining fans we’ve just captured. No other player has personally captured more fans than Ruby Tui. So that she was missing from squad announcement day feels like a real knock on by New Zealand Rugby and their backing of this tournament.
RAPID FIRE
How come when Wes Clarke was the assistant of the Black Ferns, he was given the head coach job at the Poua but Whitney Hansen as assistant Black Ferns coach is only an assistant at Matatū. It might not be her ambition but her not rising means no other wahine has made it into their coaching set up.
Get your memberships and get onto your franchises if they haven’t yet launched one. Hurricanes Poua cost $39 and Chiefs Manawa costs $60. Matatū just have a newsletter to sign up to right now as their 2023 membership is still pending. Blues reckon you just buy a men’s one (siiiiiiiiiiigh).
Can we just go ahead and double this already? Three rounds is so pathetic for all the talent we have on offer.
That’s all for now. I owe you one proper post World Cup wrap.
With you,
Alice