Like many sports, women's rugby faces a challenge in keeping players in the game after secondary school. While player numbers are thriving at the junior level, things are not so flash at the other end of the scale.
Sports reporter Robert van Royen caught up with former Black Fern Melodie Robinson and New Zealand Rugby women's development officer Cate Sexton about the state of women's rugby in the country.
While Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Counties will meet in the semifinals of the women's NPC today, players from the other five teams, including the Otago Spirit, will be doing something other than playing rugby.
Doing something other than rugby is the decision made this year by many who played in last year's NPC.
More than half of the 2014 players, 136 out of 270, opted not to put the boots on this season.
Former Black Fern Melodie Robinson, who won two World Cups with the team between 1996 and 2002, keeps a close eye on the women's game, and commentates matches as part of her full-time job with Sky Sport.
While she has not done any specific research on the number of players who dropped out of this year's NPC, she believes the drop-off is to do with first year players.
''They are young girls that tried out rugby last year, and it's just one of those challenges that New Zealand Rugby faces with all kids that age - about 18-19 - they drop out of rugby,'' she said.
While the latest player numbers will not be released until later this month, from grassroots right up to seniors, there are about 18,000 female rugby players registered across the country.
About 12,500 of those are at the junior level and about 4500 at secondary school, leaving only about 1000 at senior level.
''That's stuff-all,'' Robinson said.
''So there is an issue. There is a bit of a problem and [NZR] are working towards keeping the girls all the way through juniors to secondary schools and giving them a pathway to keep them in the sport. That's key.''
Robinson also said the Black Ferns, who have won four of the five World Cups, had achieved more than they had the right to, due to the lack of senior players in New Zealand.
''It's just because of the country we live in and we know rugby so well, we have got those inherent skills that's kept us in front of the rest.
''But after the last World Cup last year, it's obvious a lot more time and attention needed to go into the 15-a-side game for us to stay with that.''
While plenty of resources have been pumped into the national women's sevens programme in recent years, NZR has not turned a blind eye to the 15-a-side code.
Semifinals were introduced to this year's NPC, which has been one of most competitive competitions in years, while a new role - women's development officer - was filled by Cate Sexton in March.
She is in charge of increasing numbers through recruitment and retention, which it is hoped will lead to winning pinnacle events in both 15s and sevens.
Sexton said there was a 12% growth in player numbers across all ages last year, and expects to report another period of growth when figures are released later this month.
However, she knew there was ''still a heck of a lot of work to do''.
''It's around creating opportunities and pathways for girls at any stage to get involved in the game,'' she said.
''The key drop-off area is really primary to secondary, and from secondary school going into the club structure. They are the hot points, and they are probably similar in the men's game.''
NZR recently conducted a survey with secondary schoolgirls to understand why, when and how they want to play, and what is stoppingthem from playing.
The findings are not expected until next month, but Sexton is hoping it reveals some concrete evidence regarding secondary school players.
But it is not solely about secondary school players.
By January, NZR will employ six people across the country to drive the game.
''The key is having people around New Zealand focused on growing the women's game,'' Sexton said.
''But the unions need to want to grow the game within. It can't all be NZR driven. But we're certainly heading in the right direction.
''I've been travelling around the country the past eight months talking to the provincial unions and there is a lot of want there. It's just someone to give direction, drive it and ask questions.''
While sevens might be a more attractive version of the game than the 15-a-side version to some, Sexton does not think it is hurting numbers in the women's NPC.
Only eight players in the 20-strong national sevens squad would have played in the competition this year if not for the shorter version of the game.
There is also talk of the competition expanding to 10 teams next year, with North Harbour interested in entering a team in the competition.
''What 15s does, is it allows for all women to play,'' Sexton said.
''Sevens is a little bit more specialised. But it's a great addition to women's rugby.
The women's NPC final will be televised live on Sky Sport next Saturday from noon.
Women's rugby
The numbers
• Registered players: About 18,000
• Junior players: About 12,500
• Secondary school players: 4500
• Senior players: About 1000
