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Every selection for round two of Super Rugby Aupiki

73 days ago

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 01: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of the Blues on attack during the round one Super Rugby Aupiki match between Hurricanes Poua and Blues at Sky Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Week one of Super Rugby Aupiki dished up plenty of highlights as the Bues stamrolled the Hurricanes Poua and Amy du Plessis lifted Matatu to glory over the Chiefs Manawa.

Round two sees Matatu look to continue their winning form against the Hurricanes Poua, who will be eager to improve their poor set-piece game.

Eden Park plays host to a 2024 final rematch, with the Blues taking plenty of momentum from their 50-point scoring outburst into a contest against a Chiefs Manawa outfit who largely failed to fire on attack despite boasting plenty of star power.

Hurricanes Poua team to play Matatu

Ngano Tavake
Forne Burkin
Angel Mulu
Sam Taylor
Joanah Ngan-Woo
Kahurangi Sturmey
Elinor-Plum King
Layla Sae
Iritana Hohaia
Cassie Siataga
Ayesha Leti-I’iga
Monica Tagoai
Leilani Hakiwai
Teilah Ferguson
Isabella Waterman

Reserves

16. Denise Aiolupotea
17. Nina Poletti
18. Jayme Nuku
19. Olioli Mua
20. Jackie Patea-Fereti
21. Paige Lush
22. Te Rauoriwa Gapper
23. Harmony Kautai

Matatu team to play Hurricanes Poua

Marcelle Parkes
Georgia Ponsonby
Amy Rule
Laura Bayfield
Chelsea Bremner
Alana Bremner
Lucy Jenkins
Kaipo Olsen-Baker
Maia Joseph
Hannah king
Fia Laikong
Grace Brooker
Amy du Plessis
Winnie Palamo
Kaea Nepia

Reserves

16. Jet Haywood
17. Pip Love
18. Moomooga Palu
19. Emma Dermody
20. Fiaali’i Solomona
21. Kelsyn McCook
22. Charlotte Va’afusuaga
23. Keighley Simpson

Blues team to play Chiefs Manawa

Chryss Viliko
Atlanta Lolohea
Aldora Itunu
Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Maama Vaipulu
Elizabith Moimoi
Dajian Brown
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
Tara Turner
Krysten Cottrell
Jaymie Kolose
Ruahei Demant
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
14. Katelyn Vahaakolo
Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

Reserves

16. Grace Gago
17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Eloise Blackwell
20. Paris Mataroa
21. Kahlia Awa
22. Sylvia Brunt
23. Kerri Johnson.

Chiefs Manawa team to play Blues

Kate Henwood
Vici-Rose Green
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu
Charmaine Smith
Jade Coates
Chyna Hohepa
Kennedy Tukuafu (c)
Mia Anderson
Ariana Bayler
Hazel Tubic
Mererangi Paul
Kelly Brazier
Azalleyah Maaka
Ruby Tui
Tenika Willison

Reserves

16. Grace Houpapa-Barrett
17. Krystal Murray
18. Santo Taumata
19. Rebecca Burch
20. Martha Mataele
21. Holli O’Sullivan
22. Kirian Nolan
23. Renee Holmes

Comments

3 Comments

SadersMan 73 days ago

We have enough talent & experience to blow away all other test nations at RWC2025. Unfortunately, the sh*t results under Bunting since his (imo) ridiculous appointment in 2022 indicate that it’s not going to happen. What a shame.

BC 71 days ago

That sounds the height of optimism to me and a large dose of one-eyed Kiwi assumed rugby superiority. Some teams might well be blown away but it will largely be the Red Roses who are doing it, even with by far the toughest pool draw.

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Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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Every selection for round two of Super Rugby Aupiki

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