Maybe the only person more excited with the start of the Super Rugby Women’s tournament than the players and coaches will be new Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp. No doubt she has seen a few of the trials but now it is proper game time.
A new season. A new name. A new hashtag.
The Super W tournament is no longer called Super W, it’s now Super Rugby Women. With it comes a new hash tag #SuperRugbyW. Why the change? Who knows? Not a big deal in the scheme of things.
A reminder too – the Super Rugby Women tournament is a sprint. Blink and you may miss it, so get on board early. It starts with the Force and Rebels tonight then five rounds, semi finals and the Grand Final on the 27th April. All done in dusted in seven weeks.
With such a short season, even with pre-season games, cohesion and building combinations is a major challenge as most squads have had significant roster turnover compared to last year. This is an extra challenge in the forwards where set piece technique and experience are key. In 2023 teams such as the Brumbies and Western Force in particular really showed significant signs of development and real improvement in the last couple of matches… Then the tournament was over.
Not surprisingly the Waratahs will be looking for a big season after missing the grand final last season. Obviously the reigning champions Fijian Drua will be highly competitive, they always are. The Reds have been in many grand finals and have yet to crack a grand final win, so will be wanting to rectify that this season.
For the Western Force, ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels it will be interesting to see where they are in their development.
NSW Waratahs
To no real surprise the Waratahs are looking pretty good. Unlike the other teams, most players have returned from last season. In the squad of 32, 20 are returning plus the 3 overseas players who were unavailable for Super W last year; Kaitlan Leaney, Arabella McKenzie and Emily Chancellor. It is a quality squad.
Most importantly, the core of the tight five have returned. In reality, the Tahs have an over abundance of quality lock options with Leaney, Sera Naiqama, Atasi Lafai and former Red Annabelle Codey.
Some of the players who have not returned have headed to other clubs. Forwards Katalina Amosa and Laretta Laiangi have joined the Brumbies, Rosie Ebbage off to the Force and Grace Hamilton to the Rebels. Three more players have also gone to the NRLW, Bronte Wilson (Dragons), Ella Ryan (Raiders) and Margot Vella (Dragons).
Jo Yapp says she wants to lead the Wallaroos into the top four. Photo: Rugby Australia
No doubt captain Piper Duck is looking for a big season after her 2023 was an injury marred nightmare. Just like last season there are a couple of young teenagers in the squad in Waiaria Ellis and Charlie Norton. It will be interesting to see how fullback Caitlyn Halse goes in her second season at the ripe old age of 17.
Melbourne Rebels
Despite having Ash Marsters and bringing in rugby stalwart Grace Hamilton into the squad it will probably be a tough season for the Rebels. Back on deck is one of the hearts and souls of the Rebels and captain Mel Kawa, who returns after having a child just seven months ago. She is an absolute little warrior for the Rebels. They have the smallest squad with just 28 players and only nine backing up from last season.
Western Force
The Force like last season have done a bit of recruiting but appear have struggled with retention. Only 11 players from last season have returned to the squad of 31 and there’s a range of new recruits; Rosie Ebbage, a lock from the Tahs, who is a good pick up. They have also a couple from Queensland including fly half/ full back Renae Nona. Canadian hooker Sarah Cline should bring some experience and the Force picked up a couple of Kiwis, Harono Te Iringa and Sheree Hume, Hinata Komaki from Japan and Samoan Alanis Toia.
The Force have some inspirational leadership with captain Trilleen Pomare in the backs and Michaela Leonard in the forwards. If they can get their combinations going quickly they should be pretty competitive.
Trilleen Pomare of the Force passes the ball during the Super W match between Western Force and ACT Brumbies Women at HBF Park, on April 22, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Fijian Drua
For the Fijian Drua one of the biggest changes is that former captain skipper Bitila Tawake has joined the Chiefs Manawa squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Tawake was the captain for the last two successful seasons.
They have 15 players of their squad of 32 returning, with Merewalesi Rokovono back after playing in the NRLW with the Cowboys last season. Even with a lot of changes to their roster, they are always dangerous and highly competitive.
ACT Brumbies
The Brumbies also have a fair amount of turnover, with 16 players returning in their squad of 32. But they have a quality core of players such as captain Siokapesi Palau, who was a real find for the Wallaroos last season as a centre turned outstanding blind side flanker. Other quality players include Tania Naden, Jay Huriwai, Jemima McCalman and Ashlea Bishop. A couple of players to keep an eye on are backrower Tabua Tuinakauvadra and fly half Faitala Moleka.
Unfortunately they will be without Grace Kemp, who has crossed over to the NRLW, and Black Fern star prop Amy Rule.
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Melanie Kawa of the Rebels, Siokapesi Palu of the Brumbies, Piper Duck of the Waratahs, Asinate Serevi of Fiji Drua, Trilleen Pomary of the Force and Cecilia Smith of the Reds pose during the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s Season Launch at Ballymore Stadium on March 06, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Queensland Reds
The Reds have gone through some changes, captain Shannon Parry retired and they have a new coach in Grant Anderson. They made last year’s grand final and played some very good rugby so will be keen to go one better this year. However only 13 players from last season are in the squad of 32. They are missing some quality players such as Kiwi half Diane Hiini, who paired very well with Carys Dallinger. Annabelle Codey has joined the Tahs and unfortunately Bree Cheatham injured her ACL in the last game of the Wallaroos’ season against Wales. Speedster Heleina Young has left to join the Fijian rugby sevens program.
At the same time though they have experience, especially in the back line with captain Cecilia Smith, Dallinger, Ivania Wong and Lori Cramer who returns after a stint at the Tahs. Special mention too of the return of prop and Reds inspiration Liz Patu. It is good to see Briana Danscombe back, she looked very good last season until she got injured. Adding some experience and international flavour is USA Test prop Charli Jacoby.
The Queensland Reds are always competitive, and this season should not be any different.
The key for all teams will be cohesion and getting those combinations clicking as soon as possible.
Round 1
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 7:30 PM HBF Park
Western Force Women vs Melbourne Rebels Women
Sat, Mar 16, 2024, 5:05 PM Allianz Stadium
NSW Waratahs Women vs ACT Brumbies Women
Sun, Mar 17, 2024, 2:35 PM Ballymore Stadium
Queensland Reds Women vs Fijian Drua Women
Super Rugby Women’s games are broadcast on Stan, with the Saturday game also on 9Gem.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Don’t disagree. Investment is vital to the women’s game, I just think there isn’t the funds to invest further unfortunately. Not sure the reason for double headers fro the Wallaroos am guessing it is a cost issue. If they are paying for the venue already why not have 2 games. The bit that irritates me I most is doing it on a Friday, who can get to a game at 5pm on a Friday.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
That’s the problem ATM with RA not getting their act together, but should it eventuate it no doubt assist the women’s game overall. As we even see many women coming here through not being able to force their way into the Aupiki setups. There is still a provincial competition within Aotearoa that is a level below the Aupiki, & there are some very promising ones coming through.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Yep, she impressed me heaps. Thought potential challenger for Wallaroos 13. I have also been impressed with the Reds other 13 previously Elisaia (forgive my spelling), she scored a great solo try in last years final. But doesn't look like shes in the team or squad?
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
yep i definitely get the cost savings for broadcasters with double headers. And sometimes they are good for bigger crowds for the women. However, I hate this years Wallaroos tests being curtain raisers for SRP. The money side needs to be looked at as an investment. They will get a return on it with greater interest and viewers. They won't get anyone other than family watching live when there's Super Rugby Pacific games on at the same time.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Home & Away = $$, we don’t have. Unfortunately. Also guessing by making most of the games as double headers is more efficient from the broadcasters perspective too. It always comes down to $$$.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Really, that is disappointing. She was a player I saw a couple of times last season & thought she looked to have the goods.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I’m sure there will be joining with Aupiki at some stage. As you say the Kiwis teams would belt the Aussie teams at the moment. As Interim I would like to see maybe the top 2 from both comps have some sort of play offs. Eventually maybe top 2 from Oz, NZ & Japan. Also currently do wonder if RA’s limited funds is putting on a constraint on combining the 2 competitions.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Correction, Rebels captain is Ash Marsters, Mel Kawa had stepped into the Super Rugby captain promos as Ash was still in France.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I imagine the Tahs are a tad annoyed going out in the semi final last season & will come out all guns blazing. Also they are fortunate to have had stability in their squad.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Can't believe it's still only 5 game season. If I was running RA I'd make it a home and away season and move it to start the same weekend as the SRP GF. So we can actually have more good rugby to watch at basically the peak footy season Instead we have games running at the same time early in the year.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I think Dascombe sadly got injured again?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep good read Hugh, & yes the comp. is a sprint, as with the current Aupiki in Aotearoa, ATM. So to even call it a Super rugby women's tournament, & to elongate it more, there is a thought that maybe include the Aupiki into the mix. As we saw the NZRFU did pour the odd few millions into women's rugby so with them included it would make & improve the tournament overall. Yes I know, some do think it would be another Kiwi dominated affair, but at least it would improve the quality of womens rugby here. We only have to look at those Kiwi's already playing here & the ones that have been through the NZ system, like Dallinger & a few others.
Nivlek
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to the comp. Tahs look v imposing on paper. Interesting stats about squad turnover. I would have thought the rebels and force would be comparatively more settled due to smaller player pools to draw from but doesn’t appear to be the case.