“We have selected a team that by nature plays to our DNA - brutal and beautiful. Players that love the dark spaces, are decisive, instinctive and wanting to play what’s in front,” Chiefs Manawa head coach Crystal Kaua said.
“Every player and staff member brings their unique piece to our team puzzle. There will be no lack of edge, and weekly selection is going to be tough.”
Following playing breaks to have their children, former Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens star Chelsea Semple and Black Ferns XV representative Mia Anderson were set to run out in Chiefs colours again this season.
Also named in the side are six rookies who have secured their first Sky Super Rugby Aupiki contracts.
Waikato loose forward Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland and Reese Anderson impressed throughout the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) to earn their spot, while former netballer Grace Kukutai signs after playing sevens overseas the last few years.
Bay of Plenty’s Olive Watherston also earned a promotion to the main squad after being part of the wider training group in 2022.
Powerhouse internationals Seina Saito (Japan) and Bitila Tawake (Fiji) will make their debut in the new year too.
“No position is a given and every day is going to be an arm wrestle. Our players are going to have to come in ready,” Kaua said.
“This group cares about each other and the provinces they come from, they will be doing everything they can to make our community proud. We are excited to see it all weave together and see how we can maximise the potential of this team.”
Mererangi Paul is part of an exciting Black Ferns outside back collection along with Tui, Holmes and Steinmetz.
“I think it’s awesome, we have each other to feed off, to improve each other. People would say there’s competition to get those starting positions, but I see it as a way of improving each other and helping each other out along the way. Doing whatever possible for one another,” Paul said.
Players will assemble in the new year to begin their preparations for the 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season.
The new-look Aupiki competition will see two home-and-away rounds, followed by a final.
Squads have been extended to 30 players and player payments have doubled.
Chiefs Manawa Squad 2024:
(region, Chiefs Manawa caps)
Apii Nicholls (Auckland, 4)
Ariana Bayler (Waikato, 4)
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau, 9)
Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (Waikato, 0)*
Azalleyah Maaka (Bay of Plenty, 5)
Bitila Tawake (Fiji, 0)*
Charmaine Smith (Northland, 5)
Chelsea Bremner (Canterbury, 5)
Chelsea Semple (Waikato, 3)
Chyna Hohepa (Waikato, 2)
Georgia Thompson (nee Daals) (Wellington, 7)
Grace Kukutai (Auckland, 0)*
Grace Steinmetz (Canterbury, 0)
Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau, 9)
Kate Henwood (Bay of Plenty, 5)
Kennedy Simon (Waikato, 9)
Krystal Murray (Northland, 0)
Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty, 9)
Merania Parone (Waikato, 2)
Mererangi Paul (Counties Manukau, 5)
Mia Anderson (Waikato, 2)
Olive Watherston (Bay of Plenty, 0)*
Reese Anderson (Waikato, 0)*
Renee Holmes (Waikato, 1)
Ruby Tui (Counties Manukau, 3)
Seina Saito (Japan, 0)*
Tanya Kalounivale (Waikato, 9)
Te Urupounamu McGarvey (Bay of Plenty, 4)
Vici-Rose Green (Waikato, 1)
Victoria Edmonds (Waikato, 8)
*denotes a rookie
Chiefs Manawa Wider Training Squad:
Payton Takimoana (Bay of Plenty)
Lela Ieremia (Waikato)
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Canada)
Veisinia Fakalelu (Waikato)
Unavailable For Selection:
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Waikato)
Santo Taumata (Bay of Plenty)
Angel Mulu (Bay of Plenty)
Carla Hohepa (Waikato)
Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty)
Tynealle Fitzgerald (Bay of Plenty)
Joanna Fanene-Lolo (Counties Manukau)
Jesse Wood is a multimedia journalist based in Te Awamutu. He joined the Te Awamutu Courier and NZME in 2020.
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