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Super Rugby Aupiki 2024 draw revealed
By Kim Ekin
Afternoon games feature heavily in the newly announced and extended 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki schedule.
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The tournament, squads and preseason have all been expanded for 2024, with preseason games preceding the March kickoff of the regular season.
Chiefs Manawa went undefeated in the 2023 season until falling to Matatu in the final. The Manawa side will kickstart the season against the Hurricanes Poua in Hamilton. The reigning champions Matatu will then face a Blues team boosted by the recent Auckland FPC victory.
There will be six rounds of action before a final hosted on April 13.
New Zealand Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Manager Hannah Porter said: “It’s great to announce the 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki draw. Once again matches will be played across the country, with all teams having the opportunity to play their opposition both and home and away.
“We expect to be entertained by the fast pace, engaging style our women play. Adding to this, the growth and injection of new talent across the Aupiki squads it will be exciting to see the positive influence that will have. We look forward to the competition kicking off.”
Round three will feature the 2023 final rematch in Hamilton and then the final round of pool play will see the rivalry head to Christchurch.
Some venues are yet to be announced but fans in Palmerston North and Levin will get the chance to see their Hurricanes Poua in action as the team play fixtures away from Wellington in rounds four and six.
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2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Draw
Round 1
Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua, Saturday 2 March, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick off 2.05pm
Matatu v nib Blues, Saturday 2 March, venue TBC, kick off 4.35pm
Round 2
nib Blues v Chiefs Manawa, Saturday 9 March, venue TBC, kick off 2.05pm
Hurricanes Poua v Matatu, Saturday 9 March, SKY Stadium, 4.35pm
Round 3
nib Blues v Hurricanes Poua, Saturday 16 March, venue TBC, kick off 2.05pm
Chiefs Manawa v Matatu, Saturday 16 March, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick off 4.35pm
Round 4
Hurricanes Poua v Chiefs Manawa, Friday 22 March, CET Arena Palmerston North, kick off 4.35pm
nib Blues v Matatu, Saturday 23 March, Eden Park, kick off 4.35pm
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Round 5
Matatu v Hurricanes Poua, Friday 29 March, Apollo Projects Stadium, kick off 4.35pm
Chiefs Manawa v nib Blues, Saturday 30 March, venue TBC, kick off 2.05pm
Round 6
Hurricanes Poua v nib Blues, Saturday 6 April, Levin Domain, kick off 2.05pm
Matatu v Chiefs Manawa, Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch, kick off 4.05pm
Latest Comments
The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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