Blues
Last year: Champions.
Coach: Willie Walker.
The Blues have been the benchmark. They were crowned back-to-back Aupiki champions and won consecutive transtasman finals.
While you cannot read much into preseason, they failed to pick up a win, losing 34-17 to Chiefs Manawa and 26-12 to the Hurricanes Poua.
Still, the Blues are packed with internationals in Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Atlanta Lolohea, Maia Roos, Chryss Viliko and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u. Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee was the star of 2025, capped off with being named world breakthrough player of the year. Katelyn Vaha’akolo and Jaymie Kolose return after stints with the Black Ferns Sevens, and Mererangi Paul joins from the Manawa. There is no Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Patricia Maliepo or Krysten Cotterell.
The Blues open their season against the Poua at home tomorrow.
Matatū
Last year: Runners-up.
Coach: Blair Baxter.
Baxter returns as head coach — having been the inaugural coach and winning the title in 2023 — to take over from new Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen. Former Highlander Adam Thomson is an assistant coach.
Black Ferns halfback Maia Joseph headlines an Otago contingent including Eilis Doyle, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Naomi Sopoaga, Sarah Jones and US halfback Abigail Paton. Former netballer Paris Lokotui makes the switch, joining Black Fern Laura Bayfield and Kaipo Olsen-Baker in the forwards. Grace Brooker will captain an experienced backline featuring Amy du Plessis, Hannah King and former Black Fern Seven Alena Saili.
There will be no Bremner representing Matatū for the first time. Alana is overseas, while sister Chelsea announced she was expecting her first child this week. Amy Rule and Georgia Ponsonby are big losses.
Matatū beat Hurricanes Poua 36-26 in the preseason. They host the Manawa in Christchurch tomorrow.
Chiefs Manawa
Last year: Third.
Coach: Dwayne Sweeney.
Traditionally one of the toughest to topple, the Manawa look slightly light on experience compared with other years.
Several key names have moved on or retired, including props Tanya Kalounivale, who is unavailable after moving to Australia, and Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who medically retired. It leaves them relatively green in the tight five, which will be led by Black Ferns Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green.
Black Ferns captain Kennedy Tukuafu will lead again and new international Mia Anderson was brilliant last season. Former Wallaroo Carys Dallinger returns home, having previously played for the Poua, and Black Fern Seven Justine McGregor is electric, as is Otago’s Maddie Flutey. Kelly Brazier is an assistant coach.
Hurricanes Poua
Last year: Fourth.
Coach: Hayden Triggs.
Expect the Poua to be much better as they bounce back from a winless 2025.
They retain 11 players from last year, including Black Ferns dynamo Ayesha Leti-I’iga, halfback Iritana Hohaia and lock Sam Taylor.
But they have recruited well in Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes, props Krystal Murray — who previously played for Poua in 2023 — and Mo’omo’ga Ona Palu who moves north from Matatū, and Otago stalwarts Tegan Hollows and Greer Muir.
Irish halfback Molly Scuffil-McCabe, who has 23 tests under her belt, also joins, alongside former Fijian Drua forward Jordyn Tihore.
The Poua have a new coach, former Highlander Hayden Triggs.
