Matatu, the women’s team representing the South Island in the new Super Rugby Aupiki competition, has named its first squad.
Twenty-six players have been contracted for the inaugural competition in March.
Otago Spirit lock Julia Gorinski, midfield back Kilisitina Moata’ane and loose forward Greer Muir will join their new team-mates, plus two players to be added, for two pre-season camps before officially assembling in Christchurch in late February.
Aupiki will be short — just three rounds and a final.
Dunedin fans will also have to travel to see the team, as it has just one home game next year, and that will be in Christchurch.
The Matatu squad is predictably dominated by Canterbury players — 18 in all — but also has women from Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
Two intriguing newcomers are Wallaroos players Michaela Leonard and Arabella McKenzie.
There is a healthy sprinkling of current Black Ferns representatives in the form of forwards Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule and Alana Bremner, and backs Kendra Cocksedge, Renee Holmes and Grace Brooker.
Matatu coach Blair Baxter said the key consideration when assembling his squad was setting athletes up for success at Super Rugby level.
“When building this squad, we focused on putting the best possible group together to compete in a professional competition,’’ Baxter said.
‘‘Alongside this, we have the goal of inspiring young females to be the best they can be and, ultimately, setting young players up on a viable pathway in the professional rugby environment.
“It has been exciting to build a squad from both established and emerging talent in the South Island, and to be able to include the experience of the likes of Kendra [Cocksedge] and Steph [Te Ohaere-Fox] means that we have some exceptional leaders within the group from the outset, to help drive our standards.’’
While Otago’s representation is lean, there will be other opportunities from women from the province to become involved with the side.
Baxter said Matatu would identify development players from both Otago and Tasman to set them on the path to professionalism.
Some will query the decision to offer two contracts to Australian players, but Baxter has defended their selection.
“We’re really excited about what Michaela and Bella will bring to Super Rugby Aupiki.
“We’ve been following the Super W competition in Australia, and both have been standout performers there.
“Lock and first five-eighth are two positions where we will need to build some depth over time across the Matatu region,but we know these two athletes will come in and be very competitive at this level.’’
