The Blues have named a strong coaching group for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki women’s competition in March next year.

Current Auckland Storm FPC coach Willie Walker, already announced as head coach of the nib Blues, will be supported by assistant coaches Mel Bosman and James Semple for the inaugural competition.

Both have strong pedigrees in coaching and in women’s rugby.

Bosman is the current head coach of Tasman FPC team. She had 17 caps for the Black Ferns including winning two Rugby World Cups in a 20-year career at No 8 and prop for Waikato, Auckland, Canterbury and Hawkes Bay. She also spent time playing and coaching in Canada where she led Alberta to two premiership titles.

Bosman, one of two elite female coaches identified by New Zealand Rugby, has been coaching female rugby in Tasman since 2017 as coach of the Tasman Under-18 girls as well as a coach with Tasman Mako in the Farah Palmer Cup in charge of set-piece. 

In just his second year in charge, Semple coached the Waikato FPC side, guiding them to an historic first championship for the Farah Palmer Cup. In doing so, they ended a four-year run by Canterbury for the title, after finishing runners-up in his first year at the helm in 2020.

Semple is a former five eighth for Counties Manukau and North Harbour during which stage he completed a diploma in Business before embarking on a coaching career in Scotland before returning as Rugby Development Coach for the Chiefs and Waikato and assistant coach of the Waikato Women’s FPC team. He also had a coaching stint in Utah, USA.

Head coach Willie Walker is thrilled with his assistant coaches in what he believes will be a powerful coaching combination.

“Mel has a huge history in women’s rugby on and off the field and has excellent rapport and linkage to the women’s game in this country. And she definitely understands what success means as a two-time Rugby World Cup winner,” said Walker.

“James was a handy player who has worked very hard on the craft to become a coach, working in development, and learning the game both here and overseas. He has enjoyed an outstanding first year with the Waikato women’s team with their fantastic win in the Farah Palmer Cup.

“I believe that we will form a really strong coaching group and we are all very excited about the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition.”

North Harbour Rugby’s Dean Watkins is the team manager and Stacey Addenbrooke has been appointed Campaign Coordinator.

The nib Blues squad will be named on Thursday.