2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season
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The 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season was the fourth and most recent season of the top-flight New Zealand women's rugby union competition, Super Rugby. The season fixtures were released on 20 November 2024, consisting of six rounds and a Grand Final to decide the season champions.
Countries
New Zealand
New ZealandTournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
ChampionsBlues (2nd title)
Matches played13
| 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | New Zealand | ||
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout | ||
| Champions | Blues (2nd title) | ||
| Matches played | 13 | ||
| Tries scored | 104 (8 per match) | ||
| Top point scorer(s) | Hannah King (51 points) Matatū | ||
| Top try scorer(s) | Ruby Tui (6 tries) Chiefs Manawa | ||
| Official website | Super Rugby Aupiki | ||
| |||
It was revealed during the season draw that the Super Rugby Aupiki champions would play the champions of the Australian Super Rugby competition, Super Rugby Women's, at the end of the season. This new competition, which is formatted similarly to a super cup, is called the Super Rugby Champions Final.[1][2][3] It was the first edition of the new competition.
The defending champions were the Blues, who defeated two-time runners-up Chiefs Manawa 24–18 in last seasons (2024) Grand Final.[4][5] The Blues successfully defended their title against Matatū in the final and won their second consecutive championship.[6][7]
Teams
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Team base of the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki teams
Stadia and locations
| Union | Team | Location(s) | Stadia | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Blues | Kingsland, Auckland Region | Eden Park | 50,000 |
| Whangārei, Northland Region | Okara Park | 30,000 | ||
| Waikato | Chiefs Manawa | Hamilton, Waikato Region | Waikato Stadium | 25,800 |
| Wellington | Hurricanes Poua | Pipitea, Wellington Region | Wellington Regional Stadium | 34,500 |
| Upper Hutt, Wellington Region | NZCIS | N/a | ||
| Canterbury | Matatū | Addington, Canterbury Region | Rugby League Park | 17,104 |
| Nelson, Tasman District | Trafalgar Park, Nelson | 18,000 | ||
| Aidanfield, Canterbury Region | Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub | 1,000 |
Personnel
| Team | Coach | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Blues | Willie Walker[8] |
Maia Roos |
| Chiefs Manawa | Dwayne Sweeney[9][10] |
Kennedy Tukuafu |
| Hurricanes Poua | Fusi Feaunati[11] |
Jackie Patea-Fereti[12] |
| Matatū | Whitney Hansen[8] |
Alana Bremner[13] |
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blues | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 216 | 123 | +93 | 4 | 0 | 24 | Advance to Grand Final |
| 2 | Matatū | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 169 | 141 | +28 | 2 | 1 | 19 | |
| 3 | Chiefs Manawa | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 169 | 127 | +42 | 2 | 2 | 16 | |
| 4 | Hurricanes Poua | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 81 | 244 | −163 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Super Rugby Aupiki
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Head-to-head record; 3) Difference between points for and against; 4) Total number of points for.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Head-to-head record; 3) Difference between points for and against; 4) Total number of points for.
Matches
Round 1
| 1 March 14:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Chiefs Manawa | 25–31 | Matatū |
| Try: Ruby Tui (2) Reese Anderson Kennedy Tukuafu Con: Renee Holmes Pen: Renee Holmes | Try: Laura Bayfield Winnie Palamo Amy du Plessis (2) Con: Hannah King (4) Pen: Hannah King |
| Waikato Stadium[14] Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr |
| 1 March 16:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Hurricanes Poua | 10–50 | Blues |
| Try: Isabella Waterman Denise Aiolupotea | Try: Ruahei Demant (2) Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Braxton Sorensen-McGee Grace Gago (2) Sylvia Brunt Con: Krysten Cottrell (3) Ruahei Demant (3) Pen: Krysten Cottrell |
| Wellington Regional Stadium[14] Referee: Ben Woolerton |
Round 2
| 7 March 17:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Blues | 24–22 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Ruahei Demant Katelyn Vaha'akolo Jaymie Kolose Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Con: Ruahei Demant (2) | Try: Vici-Rose Green Grace Houpapa-Barrett Renee Holmes Con: Renee Holmes Kelly Brazier Pen: Renee Holmes |
| Eden Park[14] Referee: Todd Petrie |
| 9 March 12:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Matatū | 29–7 | Hurricanes Poua |
| Try: Grace Brooker Kaea Nepia (2) Winnie Palamo Lucy Jenkins Con: Hannah King (2) | Try: Ayesha Leti-I'iga Con: Cassie Siataga |
| Rugby League Park[14] Referee: Warwick Lahmert |
Round 3
| 15 March 14:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Matatū | 7–28 | Blues |
| Try: Hannah King Con: Hannah King | Try: Sylvia Brunt (2) Braxton Sorensen-McGee Atlanta Lolohea Con: Ruahei Demant (2/2) Tara Turner Krysten Cottrell |
| Trafalgar Park[14] Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr |
| 15 March 16:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Chiefs Manawa | 46–7 | Hurricanes Poua |
| Try: Ruby Tui (2) Azalleyah Ma′aka Jade Coates Luka Connor Renee Holmes Vici-Rose Green Tenika Willison Con: Renee Holmes (3/8) | Try: Cassie Siataga Con: Cassie Siataga |
| Waikato Stadium[14] Referee: Ben Woolerton |
Round 4
| 22 March 14:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Hurricanes Poua | 24–43 | Matatū |
| Try: Ngano Tavake Ayesha Leti-I'iga Elinor-Plum King Leilani Hakiwai Con: Cassie Siataga (2/4) | Try: Kaipo Olsen-Baker (2) Keighley Simpson Winnie Palamo Lucy Jenkins Maia Joseph Alana Bremner Con: Hannah King (4/7) |
| NZCIS[14] Referee: Warwick Lahmert |
| 22 March 16:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Chiefs Manawa | 21–36 | Blues |
| Try: Kelly Brazier Kate Henwood Ariana Bayler Con: Kelly Brazier (3/3) | Try: Jaymie Kolose Liana Mikaele-Tu'u Krysten Cottrell Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Braxton Sorensen-McGee Sylvia Brunt Con: Krysten Cottrell (3/6) |
| Waikato Stadium[14] Referee: Todd Petrie |
Round 5
| 29 March 14:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Blues | 29–37 | Matatū |
| Try: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Aldora Itunu Taufa Bason (2) Katelyn Vaha'akolo Con: Ruahei Demant Krysten Cottrell | Try: Mo'omo'oga Palu Lucy Jenkins (2) Fia Laikong Kaea Nepia Con: Hannah King (3) Pen: Hannah King (2) |
| Okara Park[14] Referee: Natarsha Ganley |
| 29 March 16:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Hurricanes Poua | 7–27 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Te Rauoriwa Gapper Con: Cassie Siataga | Try: Ruby Tui Mererangi Paul Renee Holmes Mia Anderson Con: Hazel Tubic |
| NZCIS[14] Referee: Erin Doherty |
Round 6
| 5 April 14:05 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Matatū | 22–28 | Chiefs Manawa |
| Try: Kaipo Olsen-Baker Winnie Palamo Sarah Jones Con: Hannah King (1/1) Kaea Nepia (1/2) Pen: Hannah King (1/1) | Try: Reese Anderson Ruby Tui Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu Grace Kukutai Con: Renee Holmes (4/4) |
| Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub[14] Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr |
| 5 April 16:35 NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Blues | 49–26 | Hurricanes Poua |
| Try: Taufa Bason Jaymie Kolose Atlanta Lolohea Ruahei Demant Danii Mafoe Patricia Maliepo Ma'ama Vaipulu Con: Krysten Cottrell (7/7) | Try: Ngano Tavake Forne Burkin Layla Sae Te Ruaoriwa Gapper Con: Cassie Siataga (3/4) |
| Eden Park[14] Referee: Natarsha Ganley |
Grand Final
| 12 April 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) |
| Blues | 26–19 | Matatū |
| Try: Ruahei Demant Chryss Viliko Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Braxton Sorensen-McGee Con: Krysten Cottrell (2) Ruahei Demant (1) | Try: Winnie Palamo Amy du Plessis Kaipo Olsen-Baker Con: Hannah King (2) |
| Eden Park Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr |
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Assistant referees:
TMO:
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Statistics
- As of 12th April 2025
Leading point scorers
| No. | Player | Team | Points | Average | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hannah King | Matatū | 51 | 7.3 | 1 T, 16 C, 4 P, 0 D |
| 2 | Krysten Cottrell | Blues | 44 | 6.3 | 1 T, 17 C, 1 P, 0 D |
| 3 | Ruahei Demant | Blues | 43 | 6.14 | 5 T, 9 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 4 | Renee Holmes | Chiefs | 39 | 6.50 | 3 T, 9 C, 2 P, 0 D |
| 5 | Ruby Tui | Chiefs | 30 | 5.0 | 5 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 6 | Portia Woodman-Wickliffe | Blues | 25 | 3.6 | 5 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| Winnie Palamo | Matatū | 25 | 3.6 | 5 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D | |
| 8 | Cassie Siataga | Hurricanes | 21 | 3.5 | 1 T, 8 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| 9 | Kaipo Olsen-Baker | Matatū | 20 | 3.33 | 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |
| Sylvia Brunt | Blues | 20 | 3.33 | 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D |
Leading try scorers
| No. | Player | Team | Tries | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruby Tui | Chiefs | 6 | 1.0 |
| 2 | Portia Woodman-Wickliffe | Blues | 5 | 0.71 |
| Ruahei Demant | Blues | 5 | 0.71 | |
| Winnie Palamo | Matatū | 5 | 0.71 | |
| 5 | Kaipo Olsen-Baker |
Matatū |
4 | 0.67 |
| Sylvia Brunt | Blues | 4 | 0.67 | |
| Lucy Jenkins |
Matatū |
4 | 0.67 | |
| Braxton Sorenson-McGee |
Blues |
4 | 0.67 | |
| 9 | Amy du Plessis |
Matatū |
3 | 0.43 |
| Renee Holmes |
Chiefs |
3 | 0.43 |
Players
Squads
The following squads were named for the 2025 season.[18][19]
| Forwards | Eloise Blackwell • Dajian Brown • Oceane Donelley • Sophie Fisher • Holly Greenway • Aldora Itunu • Atlanta Lolohea • Liana Mikaele-Tu′u • Paris Mataroa • Elizabith Moimoi • Lily Murray-Wihongi • Cheyenne Tuli-Fale • Maiakawanakaulani Roos • Awhina Tangen-Wainohu • Harono Te Iringa • Ma′ama Vaipulu • Chryss Viliko |
| Backs | Kahlia Awa • Sylvia Brunt • Krysten Cottrell • Ruahei Demant • Kerri Johnson • Jaymie Kolose • Danii Mafoe • Patricia Maliepo • Daynah Nankivell • Braxton Sorensen-McGee • Tara-Leigh Turner • Katelyn Vaha'akolo • Portia Woodman-Wickliffe |
| Coach | Willie Walker |
| Forwards | Mia Anderson • Rebecca Burch • Jade Coates • Luka Connor • Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu • Vici-Rose Green • Logan Hauraki • Kate Henwood • Chyna Hohepa • Grace Houpapa-Barrett • Tanya Kalounivale • Grace Kukutai • Martha Mataele • Krystal Murray • Charmaine Smith • Santo Taumata • Kennedy Tukuafu |
| Backs | Reese Anderson • Ariana Bayler • Kelly Brazier • Renee Holmes • Rosie Kelly • Azalleyah Ma′aka • Kiriana Nolan • Holli O'Sullivan • Mererangi Paul • Shoshanah Seumanutafa • Hazel Tubic • Ruby Tui • Tenika Willison |
| Coach | Dwayne Sweeney |
| Forwards | Denise Aiolupotea • Forne Burkin • Natalie Delamere • Lavinia Lea • Olioli Mua • Angel Mulu • Joanah Ngan-Woo • Jayme Nuku • Jackie Patea-Fereti • Elinor Plum-King • Nina Poletti • Layla Sae • Ngano Taveke • Samantha Taylor • Kahurangi Sturmey • Esther Faiaoga-Tilo |
| Backs | Shakira Baker • Raedeen Blake • Teilah Ferguson • Te Rauoriwa Gapper • Leilani Hakiwai • Iritana Hohaia • Harmony Kautai • Ayesha Leti-I'iga • Paige Lush • Cassie Siataga • Rangimarie Sturmey • Monica Tagoai • Payton Takimoana • Isabella Waterman |
| Coach | Fusi Feaunati |
| Forwards | Laura Bayfield • Alana Bremner (c) • Chelsea Bremner • Grace Brooker • Emma Dermody • Eilis Doyle • Jett Hayward • Tegan Hollows • Lucy Jenkins • Sarah Jones • Pip Love • Kaipo Olsen-Baker • Mo'omo'oga Palu • Marcelle Parkes • Georgia Ponsonby • Amy Rule • Fiaali'i Solomona |
| Backs | Amy du Plessis • Maia Joseph • Hannah King • Fia Laikong • Kelsyn McCook • Hollyrae Mete • Kaea Nepia • Winnie Palamo • Abigail Paton • Chey Robins-Reti • Keighley Simpson • Tayla Simpson • Charlotte Va'afusaga |
| Coach | Whitney Hansen |