Super Rugby Aupiki on the horizon

Super Rugby Aupiki leaders (from left) Grace Brooker (Matatu), Sam Taylor (Hurricanes Poua), Maia Roos (Blues), Te Rauoriwa Gapper (Poua) and Kennedy Tukuagu (Chiefs Manawa) celebrated the season launch at the Sky Tower in Auckland yesterday.

Super Rugby Aupiki is gearing up for its fifth official year after being pushed back from the March-April window to June-July this season to better align with the Black Ferns’ international season.

Matatu, who represent the South Island, start their season at the new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch against the Manawa on June 13. They also play home games against the Poua in Timaru on July 11 and the Blues in Christchurch on July 18. They are away to the Hurricanes Poua (June 21), Blues (June 27) and Manawa (July 4).

The Aupiki final is scheduled for July 25 and the champion will play the winner of Australia’s Super Rugby W league in Sydney on August 1.