Super Rugby Aupiki: Team News for Round 1 - Blues begin title defence at Eden Park

The New Zealand women's competition features the four franchises from across the North and South Islands, with the defending champions Blues joined by Chiefs Manawa, Matatu and Hurricanes Poua. The winner of Super Rugby Aupiki will then have the chance to etch themselves into folklore, as they take on the winner of Australia's Super Rugby Women's competition, in the Super Rugby Champions Final.

The stars of the Black Ferns are back in full force, with plenty of former Rugby World Cup winners set to return to the Aupiki stage this weekend. There are also a plethora of fresh faces set for their first taste of the Super Rugby level, with nearly 40 debutantes named across the four teams to run out this weekend. Once again, we've pieced together all the team news for you to get caught up ahead of round one.

Venue: Eden Park
Host City: Auckland
Kick-off: 2:05pm NZST / 3:05am BST (Saturday 13 June)

The defending champions begin their title defence with a star-studded squad featuring ten current or former Black Ferns in the starting XV. Captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos partners Maama Vaipulu in the second row, while the loose forward trio of Amarante Sititi, Taufa Bason and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u gives the Blues a powerful platform.

There are several debutants in the backline, with Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Sariyah Paitai and Mererangi Paul all named to start. Paul arrives after an outstanding Pacific Four Series campaign with the Black Ferns.

The Hurricanes Poua enter a new era under coach Hayden Triggs and have made several bold selections. Black Fern Renee Holmes starts at first five-eighth, while Iritana Hohaia shifts to fullback. Co-captains Te Rauoriwa Gapper and Samantha Taylor will lead a side featuring numerous debutants as the Poua look to improve after two difficult seasons.

15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14. Mererangi Paul, 13. Sylvia Brunt, 12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata, 11. Sariyah Paitai, 10. Ruahei Demant, 9. Tara Turner; 1. Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, 2. Atlanta Lolohea, 3. Aldora Itunu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Maama Vaipulu, 6. Amarante Sititi, 7. Taufa Bason, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.

Replacements: 16. Grace Gago, 17. Nijiho Nagata, 18. Harono Te Iringa, 19. Eloise Blackwell, 20. Tafito Lafaele, 21. Danny-Elle Fesolai, 22. Ffion Penney, 23. Hazel Tubic.

15. Iritana Hohaia, 14. Wikitoria Viljoen, 13. Leilani Hakiwai, 12. Te Rauoriwa Gapper (co-c), 11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 10. Renee Holmes, 9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe; 1. Krystal Murray, 2. Valini Vaka, 3. Ona Palu, 4. Brianna Wallace, 5. Stacey Niao, 6. Samantha Taylor (co-c), 7. Neve Anglesey, 8. Greer Muir.

Replacements: 16. Keiana Roffey, 17. Ngano Tavake, 18. Faythe Finau, 19. Lily Murray-Wihongi, 20. Anahera Hamahona, 21. Fia Laikong, 22. Kokako Raki, 23. Arene Landon-Lane.

Venue: One New Zealand Stadium
Host City: Christchurch
Kick-off: 4:05pm NZST (Saturday 13 June) / 5:05am BST (Saturday 13 June)

One of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki's fiercest rivalries resumes in Christchurch. Chiefs Manawa hold a narrow 4-3 advantage in the all-time series, with six of the seven meetings decided by eight points or fewer.

Matatū welcome several debutants, including Paris Lokotui, Santo Taumata, Binky Muamua and Poppy Baxter. The hosts boast a settled and experienced spine featuring Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Amy du Plessis and captain Grace Brooker, while Black Ferns Player of the Year Kaipo Olsen-Baker anchors the back row.

Chiefs Manawa again possess significant power up front. New Black Ferns tighthead Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu lines up alongside Vici-Rose Green and debutant Chyann Kaitapu, while captain Kennedy Tukuafu leads a forward pack packed with representative experience. Former Australian representative Carys Dallinger directs play at fly-half.

15. Poppy Baxter, 14. Winnie Palamo, 13. Amy du Plessis, 12. Grace Brooker, 11. Binky Muamua, 10. Hannah King, 9. Maia Joseph; 1. Maddi Robinson, 2. Nat Delamere, 3. Santo Taumata, 4. Laura Bayfield, 5. Paris Lokotui, 6. Fiaali'i Solomona, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Replacements: 16. Holly Greenway, 17. Marcelle Parkes, 18. Wikitoria Rogers, 19. Sophie Kerr, 20. Sarah Jones, 21. Kelsyn McCook, 22. Charntay Poko, 23. Charlotte Va'afusuaga.

15. Presayus Singh, 14. Lela Ieremia, 13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12. Huia Harding, 11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, 10. Carys Dallinger, 9. Ariana Bayler; 1. Chyann Kaitapu, 2. Vici-Rose Green, 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Jessie Wharekura, 6. Mia Anderson, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (c), 8. Chyna Hohepa.

Replacements: 16. Nicole Purdom, 17. Amber Mundell, 18. Lonita Ngalu, 19. Leata Puni-Lio, 20. Olivia Holten, 21. Tynealle Fitzgerald, 22. Madison Flutey, 23. Reese Anderson.