DOUBLE-HEADER DELIGHT AS nib BLUES LAUNCH AUPIKI TITLE QUEST

A double dose of home double-headers and afternoon footy in Whangārei headline the nib Blues Women’s draw for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season.

The team start their quest for back-to-back titles away from home against Hurricanes Poua before a home double-header at Eden Park against Chiefs Manawa – a repeat of last season’s Grand Final showdown.

After back-to-back away games, the nib Blues return home in Round Five to play Matatū at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei.

A double-header fixture against Hurricanes Poua at Eden Park completes the regular season, played at the family-friendly time of 4:35pm.

nib Blues Head Coach, Willie Walker said the team are already looking forward to playing in front of their home Northland fans.

“Our connection to the north is really important to the Blues and really important to this team. We have players with ties to the region and to be able to play in front of friends and family is always a special moment,” said Walker.

“It’s also great to be playing double-headers this season alongside the Blues Men. There is very much a one club feel at Blues HQ and to have both our premier teams playing back-to-back is not only a win for our fans but awesome for our players.” 

“We loved the atmosphere and hype around our double-header last season and I look back fondly at that intercept try and last minute win. It’s great to have more of that exposure this season and here’s hoping our double-headers have the same tension, drama and excitement!”

Walker was also pleased to see the addition of the Super Rugby Crossover fixture that will pit the Super Rugby Aupiki champions against the Super Rugby W champions from Australia at the end of the Aupiki season.

“It’s great to see our competition growing and more opportunities for players to test themselves against different opposition. The challenge for our team is to ensure we play our best rugby throughout the Aupiki season and give ourselves a chance to play in those big matches,” said Walker.

See below a full list of nib Blues matches for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season (all times NZT)

Click here to for a downloadable copy of the draw

nib Blues squad 2025: 

Forwards: 

Chryss Viliko, Aldora Itunu, Sophie Fisher, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Harono Te Iringa*, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu*, Atlanta Lolohea*, Oceane Donelley*, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Eloise Blackwell, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Elizabith Moimoi, Lemalu Dajian Brown, Paris Mataroa, Holly Greenway*, Lily Murray-Wihongi*  

Backs: 

Kahlia Awa, Tara-Leigh Turner, Ruahei Demant, Krysten Cottrell, Sylvia Brunt, Daynah Nankivell, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe*, Patricia Maliepo, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Jaymie Kolose, Kerri Johnson, Braxton Sorensen-McGee*, Danii Mafoe* 

*denotes rookie nib Blues squad member