Women’s comp on the cards for 2022
A women’s Super Rugby competition could be in place as early as next year.
It was announced on Monday the Blues and Chiefs will play a historic match at Eden Park on Saturday.
It continues the quick progression of the women’s game in New Zealand and globally.
Earlier this month, World Rugby announced plans for a 16-team international competition to help unify the calendar and raise competition.
Albeit delayed, the women’s Rugby World Cup is also set to take place in New Zealand in 2022.
New Zealand Rugby’s head of women’s rugby Cate Sexton said yesterday that if she has her way, the Blues-Chiefs match will be more than just a one-off fixture. “We are having conversations — our board are very supportive of a semi-professional competition being launched in the near future.”
Asked whether that could be confirmed for the 2022 season, Sexton replied: “Absolutely. That’s my plan.
“It makes sense and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s a really cool opportunity to reinvent and reimagine what rugby looks like.
“A really collaborative approach without provincial unions and our Super clubs to really enhance that professional era for our women and just an aspirational pathway for our players, coaches and managers. It just makes sense.”
The Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders’ involvements, on the field at least, will be restricted in 2021.
Sexton said the calendar means it’s more than likely the Blues-Chiefs game will be the only fixture played this year.
“I just can’t see that [other teams playing] happening.
“Just with the Black Ferns’ schedule, and if we want the best players playing in competitions, there’s not a lot more windows — particularly with club rugby starting and then the players building into the Farah Palmer Cup before they go into, ideally, an international series that we’re trying to secure now with the World Cup postponed.
“So certainly there’s an intent and conversations being had with other Super clubs as well.”
As much as she would love to have the competition in place sooner, rather than later, Sexton emphasised there’s no rush to get the fully-fledged Super competition for women up and running.
“We want to do it right,” she said. “We’ve got to get the look and feel right through our players and people involved to make sure it’s really genuine and the right support is around the players.
“It’s not about trying to make a competition which is the same as the men. So we’re happy with that and comfortable with where we’re at.”
To ensure those desires are met, Sexton will help conduct a thorough debrief, involving players, management and the respective unions after the match.
“The great thing with these sorts of things is that sometimes you’ve just got to get started.
“They’re not always perfect, but you’ve just got to get started,” Sexton said.
“So there will be some things that we get right, and some things that we will adjust, but I know just talking to the players and management, they’re excited, so it’s a really good opportunity.”