The AFLW and NRLW might be bigger, better promoted and have more money but rugby’s women’s game, Super W, starts this week.
It is the beginning of the women’s rugby season with another big year for the Wallaroos who have at least eight Tests in 2023.
The Super W tournament sees the Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies, Rebels, Force and Fijiana Drua play each other once and compete in a finals series.
It all kicks off on Friday at Allianz Stadium (before the Waratahs v Chiefs game), finishing with the final on Saturday 6 May.
Hopefully on Friday the Tahs women will deliver the NSW club their first win at the new Allianz stadium.
In a Super W first, the Brumbies women play the Drua in Fiji on Saturday.
There are lots of questions ahead of this season. Will the Fijiana Drua again be dominant (probably)? How will the Waratahs go without some of their big guns, who are playing in the UK and Mahlia Murphy, who has gone to the NRLW? How much more competitive will the Rebels, Brumbies and Force be? Will rugby be able to keep at least some of the new young guns coming through?
The Drua have added a new dimension to the Super W, both on and off the field and captain Bitila Tawake is a great rugby ambassador.
The inclusion of players from New Zealand, Fiji and Japan should add more interest, experience and quality.
The Western Force have recruited Wallaroo Michaela Leonard from the Brumbies, who has just had a stint with the UK’s Exeter Chiefs. Japanese lock Yuna Sato, front-rower Natsuki Kashiwagi and Fijiana winger Rachel Laqeretabua are also playing for the Force this season.
The Rebels have also recruited Mia-Rae Clifford from AFLW.
On the flip side, of the 32 players in the Waratahs’ squad, 14 are new. The Tahs have a new captain, 23-year-old Piper Duck taking over from Grace Hamilton, and a core group of experienced players such as Georgina Friedrichs (Wallaroo player of 2022), Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Bridie O’Gorman, Sera Naiqama and Katrina Barker.
Youngsters to keep an eye on include 22-year-old back rower Leilani Nathan and 16-year-old fullback Caitlyn Halse.
There are plans to have a trans-Tasman competition with the New Zealand Super Rugby Aupiki teams in due course, as well as discussions to maybe get Japan involved.
While a trans-Tasman tournament is no doubt the destination, the Australian teams are probably not up to that stage yet. As we saw in the trials, while the Waratahs competed with the Kiwis, they were definitely at a higher level. Maybe a steppingstone will be a play off between the top Aupiki and Super W teams.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
The interesting inclusion in the Reds squad is it appears Destiny Brill is back. She was with the Reds then went to the NRLW Titans & then I think to the Roosters last season. She is a good player. Not sure if that means she will play NRLW once Super W finishes And yes Grace Hamilton is still playing, she did play some games in France.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Thanks Hugh. Looking forward to the upcoming Women's XV season. The Reds now that they are back in the black financially hopefully can put a bit more their way. They seem to be developing a good program, even attracting a few Kiwis. Is Grace Hamilton still around or did she go o/s?
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Great opportunity for the players to play in Fiji, a bit different. Just hope it's not to hot or bucketing down. We may head down for the double header against the Tahs.
Machooka
Roar Guru
'Hopefully on Friday the Tahs women will deliver the NSW club their first win at the new Allianz stadium.' Yeah, thanks Hugh... our House indeed!
DJ
Roar Rookie
Really excited about this Hugh! Will be a tough gig over in Fiji, and can’t wait for the Brumbies to play at home. Hopefully we’ll move to a home and away season pretty quickly