Players travel from far and wide for historic match

Chiefs players and coaches driving up to seven hours on a return trip for one training session demonstrates how committed they are for Super Rugby’s first women’s match.

Taranaki-based Iritana Hohaia, who was named on the bench yesterday, and Chiefs assistant coach La Toya Mason, a former England halfback of 70 tests, have been making that arduous journey to Cambridge or Hamilton for training ahead of facing the Blues in tomorrow’s landmark fixture at Eden Park.

That commute is almost as much as the standard eight-hour work day, but turning up to cold, late training sessions in the dark, lit up by floodlights where players squint to check on latecomers rushing to the field with untied boot laces after work, is nothing new in the women’s game.

The Waikato-based Chiefs have come together with players and coaches from their regions – Taranaki to Tauranga, as well as up the road in Pukekohe – with many training after a regular day at work.

Chiefs women’s coach Chad Shepherd said there have been sacrifices because some are giving up work and family time to be involved, without pay, for the historic exhibition match in Auckland, which is hoped to be the catalyst for a professional Super Rugby women’s competition from next year.

The Chiefs have gathered for five training sessions since the fixture was announced last month and Sam Cane, the All Blacks skipper and Chiefs men’s co-captain, spoke to the squad on Sunday while presenting them their pink, purple and black jersey.

Wednesday night’s session at Hautapu Rugby Club was their last before a clash that is likely to be the biggest women’s match in the country this year after the World Cup, due to be held in New Zealand, was postponed until 2022 because of Covid-19 complications, something that ‘‘devastated’’ some Black Ferns stars.

Among the 12 Black Ferns in the 23 are first five-eighth Hazel Tubic and vice-captain Chelsey Alley at second-five, who hope the fixture can showcase the best of the women’s game in the absence of Black Ferns tests since August 2019.

‘‘For me, it’s given me that extra motivation, something to really look forward to,’’ Alley said.

‘‘It’s bridged that gap between test matches and I’m sure the level of it will be right up there.’’

Tubic added: ‘‘It’s a great opportunity that we’re getting to represent the Chiefs and everyone is excited.

‘‘But, in terms of the women’s game, if we can really show what we can produce, it will show that we need that [competition] for Super Rugby women’s teams.’’