Super Rugby to bridge ‘huge gap’ for women
Chelsea Alley was thrown in the deep end.
Not long removed from playing schoolgirls rugby, Alley soon found herself immersed in the international game after spending a short time on the provincial stage.
It was a steep learning curve, and one that is a familiar story for many in the women’s game. Now, Alley is one of the 46 women at the forefront of what could become the bridge between the two levels, lining up at second fiveeighth for the Chiefs against the Blues in the first Super Rugby women’s game at Eden Park this Saturday.
“That is the reason why I think this competition is so needed. At the moment we have FPC [Farah Palmer Cup], which is 12 teams across the country, and then the next step is Black Ferns. It seems like this big huge gap,” Alley says.
“I had to learn a lot really quickly. I look back and think if there was this step of having a Super Rugby competition, I would have been a lot more prepared as to what a highperformance environment could look like before having to put the black jersey on.
“It was a massive step, but getting this tournament in place is going to help girls with the transition a lot more.”
While this weekend’s game between the Chiefs and Blues teams is a one-off fixture, there is the hope that a full women’s competition can viably run from 2022.
Alley, who now has 24 test caps, says a four-team competition would be an ideal starting point, featuring three from the North Island and one from the South Island, with a fiveteam competition to mirror that of the men’s not yet viable.
“Initially four teams would work best of the women’s competition,” Alley explains.
“Only because if you look at the current FPC format, there would only be Otago to pick from for the Highlanders and that wouldn’t be fair on them. For it to be a really meaningful competition, we’d want all of the games to be like the men’s are — just absolute blockbusters where all the teams are so strong.”
Alley is one of five capped Black Ferns to feature in the Chiefs squad, while the Blues squad includes six capped international representatives.
The rest of the squads are comprised of top talent from the regions’ provincial sides and some exciting young talents.
Alley, 28, says a full competition would be great for rugby in New Zealand, and would keep players like herself active for longer than they might otherwise be.
“Something like this is going to keep me around for a lot longer,” she said.
■ Blues women v Chiefs women
Today, 4.35pm, Auckland
Blues: Hayley Hutana, Natahlia Moors, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Princess Elliot, Patricia Maliepo, Luisa Togotogorua, Charmaine McMenamin, Kate Williams, Lisa Molia, Maia Roos, Eloise Blackwell (c), Aleisha Pearl-Nelson, TK Ngata-Aerengamate, Krystal Murray; Reserves: Saphire Abraham, Aldora Itunu, Cristo Tofa, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Shannon Leota, Moana Cook, Tyler Nankivell, Daynah Nankivell. Chiefs: Renee Holmes, Kelsey Teneti, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Chelsea Alley, Langi Veainu, Hazel Tubic, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Kennedy Simon, Les Elder (c), Kendra Reynolds, Chyna Hohepa, Kelsie Wills, Tanya Kalounivale, Luka Connor, Angel Mulu; Reserves: Grace HoupapaBarrett, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Leilani Perese, Harono Te Iringa, Pia Tapsell, Ariana Bayler, Shyanne Thompson, Iritana Hohaia.