Hurricanes Poua

Hurricanes Poua are a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team based in Wellington, New Zealand that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.[1]

Hurricanes Poua
UnionNew Zealand Rugby
Founded2021
LocationWellington, New Zealand
RegionHawke's Bay
Manawatu
Wellington
Coach(es)Victoria Grant
Captain(s)Jackie Patea-Fereti
League(s)Super Rugby Aupiki
Official website
www.hurricanes.co.nz

History

Team name

On 7 February 2022, The Hurricanes revealed the new name of their women’s team – Hurricanes Poua.[2] The new team identity was developed collaboratively by a select committee that included past and present Black Ferns.[2] They drew from preexisting Māori narratives, the team’s identity has a connection to both the Hurricanes region and their people. The name Poua was derived from the Māori narrative of Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earthmother).[2]

Super Rugby Aupiki announced

New Zealand Rugby announced that an elite women’s competition, consisting of four teams, called Super Rugby Aupiki was confirmed for March 2022.[3][4][5] The competition would run for four weeks and the women would be paid for their participation.[6][7][5]

Inaugural squad and coaching team named

Hurricanes Poua released a list of players that had signed for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season.[8][9][10] Wesley Clarke was appointed as Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua. Former Black Fern, Victoria Grant, and Manawatu Cyclones Head Coach, Fusi Feaunati, were named as his assistant coaches.[11] Sarah Hirini was named to captain the side for their maiden season.[12]

Inaugural season

The Hurricanes Poua were forced to withdraw from their opening match against the Blues Women due to COVID cases and isolation requirements within the team. The teams shared the competition points as the match had been cancelled.[13][14] After missing out on their opening game, Hurricanes Poua finally got their much awaited debut. They faced Chiefs Manawa in the second round of competition but were beaten 29–8.[15][16][17] Hurricanes Poua recorded their first win in the final round after defeating Matatū 18–6.[18][19][20]

2023

Victoria Grant was appointed as the new Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua for the 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season.[21][22][23]

Current squad

The squad for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season:[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]

Hurricanes Super Rugby Aupiki squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Halfbacks (scrum-halves)

First five-eighths (fly-halves)

Midfielders (centres)

Outside backs

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. Talawadua, Baker and Stephens-Daly weren't named in the original Poua squad, but were announced as signings in December 2022.[25]
  2. Jacob and Awa weren't named in the original Hurricanes squad, but were announced in the side for the Semi-Final.[26]

Coaches and management
  • Head Coach: Victoria Grant
  • Assistant Coach: –
  • Skills Coach: Fusi Feaunati
  • Resource Coach: Matt Sexton
  • Team Manager: Mary-Jane Durkin
  • Doctor: Dr. Lincoln Wharetohunga
  • Physiotherapist: Kara Fowke
  • Performance Analyst: Matt Healey
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach: Luke Vasu

Captain
Captain Period Ref
Sarah Hirini 2022 [12]
Jackie Patea-Fereti 2023

Coach
Hurricanes Poua coaches by date, matches and win percentage*
Coach Period G W D L %
Wesley Clarke 2022 3 1 1 1 50%
Victoria Grant 2023 5 2 0 3 40%
Totals (2022–present)* 8 3 1 4 37.5%
Updated to: 25 March 2023

Notes:

^* Official Super Rugby Aupiki competition matches only, including finals.

References
  1. "Green light for Super Rugby Aupiki". allblacks.com. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  2. "Hurricanes Unveil New Name for Hurricanes Women's Team". Hurricanes. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  3. "New Zealand Rugby confirms a Four-team women's Super Rugby Aupiki for March 2022". oceania.rugby. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  4. "NZR announces new women's Super Rugby competition". NZ Herald. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  5. Nelson, Trudi. ""This is a no-brainer": New Zealand Rugby launches elite women's competition". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  6. Pearson, Joseph (5 October 2021). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Players will be paid in NZ Rugby's new elite women's competition". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  7. Voerman, Andrew (6 May 2021). "New Zealand Rugby commits to launching new elite women's competition in 2022". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  8. "Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced". superrugby.co.nz. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  9. "Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced". NZ Herald. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  10. "2022 Chiefs Women's Squad announced". Chiefs. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  11. "Hurricanes Confirm Women's Coaching Group for 2022". Hurricanes. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  12. "Sarah Hirini to captain the Hurricanes Poua for Sky Super Rugby Aupiki". Hurricanes. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  13. "Another Covid blow as Super Rugby Aupiki match cancelled". NZ Herald. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  14. Chapman, Grant (8 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: COVID-19 forces cancellation of women's competition opener between Hurricanes Poua, Blues". Newshub. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  15. Pearson, Joseph (15 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa overcome Hurricanes Poua despite losing two players to sinbin". Stuff. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  16. Burnes, Campbell (15 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa go 2–0 in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki". allblacks.com. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  17. Powell, Alex (15 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa continue unbeaten start to debut season with victory over Hurricanes Poua". Newshub. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  18. Reive, Christopher (20 March 2022). "Hurricanes Poua claim first Super Rugby win". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  19. Cheshire, Jeff (21 March 2022). "Matatu's efforts not enough to seal a first-season win". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  20. Cooper, David (20 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Ayesha Leti-I'iga inspires Hurricanes Poua to first win against Matatū – galaxyconcerns". Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  21. "Grant to Lead Hurricanes Poua in 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki". Hurricanes. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  22. Powell, Alex (28 September 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: First female coaches appointed for expanded 2023 competition". Newshub. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  23. "Super Rugby Aupiki returns for 2023 with two new coaches". NZ Sports Wire. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  24. "Hurricanes Poua squad named ahead of 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki". Hurricanes (Press release). 21 November 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  25. "Hurricanes Poua confirm final roster spots". Hurricanes (Press release). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  26. "Hurricanes Poua named for Chiefs Semi-Final clash". Hurricanes (Press release). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
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