Aupiki Season Extended for 2024

Matatū will have six round robin games and the chance for a finals berth in Super Rugby Aupiki 2024, an expanded and enhanced competition. 

The defending champions are celebrating the longer format season, giving players more time to connect pre-season, more time on field, and a higher pay packet. 

Each team will play each other twice – home and away – before a stand-alone Grand Final to finish the season. In 2023, each team played each other only once and all teams went through to a semi-final. 

Sarah Munro, Matatū General Manager, said it was “early days for the development and expansion of our competition”, and welcomed the new format. 

“Super Rugby Aupiki in 2024 will give our players a deeper and more consistent immersion in the professional environment,” Munro said. 

“It’s pleasing to see players get the support they need to ensure a robust and entertaining competition. The 2023 season was a thrilling showpiece that instilled passion in our players and engaged the biggest fan base ever for women’s rugby in New Zealand, and the 2024 season looks to build off that success.” 

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) unveiled the new format today: a six-week round robin competition with the two top teams playing a final.  

In addition, players will be supported in a longer pre-season training programme, prioritising access to high performance support in the lead up to Round 1. This will help players prepare while also ensuring an entertaining season for fans. 

Each club will increase their contracted squad by two to 30 players, with all contracted players taking part in an eight-week individual preparation window before a four-week pre-season including two matches.  

Payment for contracted non-Black Ferns players will also more than double to a minimum of $17,000, in recognition of the longer season. 

The extended format reflects the combined efforts of the Super Rugby Clubs, NZR and the Rugby Players Association who are committed to ensuring the elite game is sustainable and keeps providing a pathway for players to be Black Ferns.  

“It’s important we continue the momentum towards more infrastructure and resources within the women’s game. This will allow our upcoming wāhine the best opportunity to express themselves at a high-performance level,” Munro said.