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Another year and another exciting season of Super rugby ahead.
A successful Rugby World Cup campaign for the Black Ferns last year sets up this year to be the most anticipated season for the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.
It’s a breath of fresh air for Womens rugby, especially given last year’s short season and disrupted scheduling.
For Matatū player Martha Mataele, the longer format for this year is something she is looking forward to getting amongst.
“This is probably the most excited I’ve been for an upcoming season. It’s going to be amazing and we are going to have our full format of how we want to play,” Mataele says.
“There’s been so much this year than there was last year.”
The backline utility for Matatū does not want her excitement for the season to overtake her team’s preparation. Placing fourth last year, Mataele and her teammates are hoping to improve step by step.
Part of their rebuild included the signing of Wallaroos superstar Sera Naiqama for this season. Naiqama’s knowledge and experience will be key this year, mixing it alongside with the younger players in the Matatu jersey. The balance within the team is something that Mataele believes will help them through the season.
Matatu kick-off their season against the Blues this Saturday. The Blues, led by Black Ferns fly half Ruahei Demant will be relying on their experienced players who were part of the Women’s World Cup campaign last year. After defeating England in the final at Eden Park, women’s rugby is on such a high.
It has also given extra motivation for players in the Aupiki competition including Mataele.
“After the World Cup last year and our Sevens sisters doing so well, it has uplifted the platform we already had,” she says.
“It’s amazing, doors are opening for womens rugby and women’s sport in general.”
Also looking for motivation for the season ahead are Moana Pasifika.
Having completed their preseason matches against the Chiefs and Highlanders, coach Aaron Mauger is beginning to pencil in his starting team against the Fijian Drua.
In comparison to their disrupted preseason last year, Mauger and his squad have managed to enjoy a full block of training with no disruptions or postponements. It’s something that the team are truly grateful for.
Fullback Tomasi Alosio spoke on the importance of what a full, proper pre-season can do for a team’s energy.
“The boys have come back from that Christmas break and just worked hard up until this point. In any Pacific island team you always get quite good energy.”
The Samoan international’s now a bit more experienced and his inclusion in the team alongside other representative players will be an area coach Mauger will be relying on. After their pre-season hit-out against the Chiefs, Mauger says he’ll be relying on his leaders to step up again this season.
“I think in the second half, we started to build some pressure even towards the end in the last ten minutes of the game. A couple of our guys stepped up, Danny Toala and Neria Foma’i led that charge.
“I think we just need more of that and just to be more direct at times and create space. It was not all bad though, there were positives for us to look at.”
Both teams having debuted last year, Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua will be looking to start their campaigns with a win this Saturday. The two teams will go head to head in an all-Pacific clash at Mt Smart Stadium.
Despite losing to Drua last year, Moana veteran playmaker Christian Leali’ifano is not too fussed about the past.
“I think it’s going to be a showcase of Pasifika talent here. Last year is gone and we don’t want to look back at it about avenging or anything else,” he says.
“We’re really excited to bring our Pacific flavour to our fans here in Aotearoa and I know it is going to be a good game.”
