An experienced core of nib Blues Women line up on Saturday as the team travel south for their opening Sky Super Rugby Aupiki match against Matatū in Invercargill at 4:35pm.

The nib Blues Women will be led by Co-Captains Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Ruahei Demant with the experienced Krysten Cottrell at first-five set to guide a talent-laden backline around Rugby Park.

“It’s pretty exciting to kick off our campaign in the deep south of Invercargill” said nib Blues Head Coach Willie Walker.

“A lot of the girls have never been that far south so that’s something new and it adds something a little different. We’ve been working hard to ensure we’re in the right frame of mind for the match,” he said.

Walker is expecting a stiff challenge from Matatū but feels his side can foot it with last season’s defending champions.

“The girls know each other really well, they’ve played against each other and alongside each other for a number of years, they’re always very physical and well-structured,” he said.

 Niall Williams-Guthrie is named to start in her first Sky Super Rugby Aupiki match, with the former Black Ferns Sevens star packing down at Open-Side Flanker on Saturday.

 Walker said Williams Guthrie adds extra physicality to the nib Blues forward pack.

“Playing at Open-Side gives Niall an opportunity to get in and do a lot of the things she’s done on the Sevens field – tackle jackle and just be an out and out nuisance . Around the field she has the ability to ball play and run some good lines so that’s what we’re looking for from her,” said Walker.

Krysten Cottrell will start at First-Five for the match with Co-Captain Ruahei Demant to provide a steady hand at Second-Five Eight.

“Duffy’s [Krysten] really crucial to our game plan and the way want to play, having her and Ruahei together adds a point of difference. She’s a seasoned campaigner, she understands how to control a game, when to attack, and she’s going to be vital to how we want to play,” said Walker.

Several potential debutantes line up for the nib Blues this weekend, eyeing their first starts are Flanker Niall Williams-Guthrie and Number Eight Elizabith Moimoi. 

Poised to make a debut from the bench is Hooker Nijiho Nagata, Prop Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Loose-Forward Paris Mataroa and Wing Angelica Mekemeke Vahai.

“We’ve been really lucky to have a strong core who’ve been with us a while now. To bring in some new, young and exciting players adds some difference to where we’re going and to reward them with a potential debut is awesome for us because they’ve put in a lot of hard work over the summer,” said Walker.

Moana Cook has also been called into the squad as injury cover at halfback and will be on the bench this Saturday. Cook last played for the nib Blues in the inaugural nib Blues v Chiefs game at Eden Park in 2021.

The nib Blues vs Matatū kicks off at 4:35pm on Saturday at Rugby Park in Invercargill.

nib Blues:

1. Chryss Viliko 

2. Grace Gago 

3. Sophie Fisher

4. Eloise Blackwell

5. Maama Vaipulu

6. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (cc)

7. Niall Williams-Guthrie *

8. Elizabith Moimoi *

9. Mel Puckett

10. Krysten Cottrell

11. Jaymie Kolose

12. Ruahei Demant (cc)

13. Sylvia Brunt

14. Katelyn Vahaakolo

15. Patricia Maliepo

Reserves:

16. Nijiho Nagata *

17. Cheyenne Tuli-Fale *

18. Aldora Itunu

19. Tafito Lafaele 

20. Paris Mataroa * 

21. Moana Cook

22. Daynah Nankivell

23.Angelica Mekemeke Vahai * 

Potential debut denoted by *

Players not considered: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Charmaine McMenamin, Tara-Leigh Turner, Kahlia Awa