Super Rugby Aupiki Women (New Zealand) 2026/27

Super Rugby Aupiki is New Zealand’s premier domestic women’s rugby union competition. Established in 2022 by New Zealand Rugby with governance support from SANZAAR, it operates as the professional tier above the amateur Farah Palmer Cup. The tournament features four franchise teams aligned with the men’s Super Rugby Pacific structure: Blues Women, Chiefs Manawa, Hurricanes Poua, and Matatū.

The competition follows a home-and-away round-robin format where each side plays the others twice. This is followed by a Grand Final contested between the top two teams. There is no promotion or relegation within the structure. Blues Women hold the record for success, having claimed three titles in 2024, 2025, and 2026. They are also the current champions.

Significant structural changes have shaped the event. The initial 2022 season utilized a condensed bubble format, which was replaced by a full home-and-away schedule in 2024. In 2025, organizers introduced a cross-border Super Rugby Champions Final against the Australian Super Rugby Women’s champion. The 2026 season saw a further adjustment, shifting the calendar from March-April to June-August to align with professional development pathways.

The competition remains distinct from its Australian counterpart, Super W, which includes a Fijian team and operates under Rugby Australia. Aupiki is strictly New Zealand-based, focusing on domestic player development and elite performance. Four clubs compete annually, representing different regions of the North and South Islands. The tournament serves as a critical platform for talent identification and progression toward the national Black Ferns team.

Blues Women’s dominance is notable, having won every title presented to date. Their achievements set the standard for other franchises in the league. The competition continues to evolve, with recent reforms aimed at improving scheduling and international exposure. The introduction of the cross-border final marks a step toward greater regional integration, although Aupiki maintains its primary focus on New Zealand rugby.