An inaugural Women’s Super Rugby Champions final is to be played between the respective Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W winners in 2025.
The crossover final will see the best two women’s Super Rugby teams from the two competitions go head-to-head, the first official step in increased alignment between the competitions.
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New Zealand Rugby’s head of women’s high performance Hannah Porter said the international rivalry would provide a glimpse into the future.
“Giving the fans an opportunity to see the best two Super Rugby teams from the respective competitions go up against each other is an exciting prospect in what is already a special year for women’s rugby.
“Having a final between the two championship winning teams is a signal of our intention to further align these competitions in the future and we look forward to building on that in 2026.”
The Champions final will be hosted in New Zealand on the Thursday of Easter weekend and broadcast live on Sky Sport.
Rugby Australia’s general manager of women’s rugby Jilly Collins was thrilled with the prospect.
“Super Rugby Women's will go to another level in 2025 as our teams compete for both the championship and the right to participate in the first-ever Women's Super Rugby Champions Final.
“As well as a historic event for the women's game, the final will be a showcase of elite women's rugby that helps to elevate the game across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.”
The Super Rugby Aupiki season kicks off in Hamilton with the Chiefs Manawa hosting the Matatū, while the Hurricanes Poua host the defending champion Blues Women in Wellington on March 1.
Fans will get a repeat of the 2024 final in round two, when the Blues host the Manawa on Friday night at Eden Park in Auckland. Six regular season matches will be double-headers with their Super Rugby Pacific counterparts.
Two cities will get to experience Super Rugby Aupiki for the first time in 2025, with the Matatū taking their home game against the Blues Women to Trafalgar Park in Nelson, while the return fixture will be in Whangārei.
2025 SUPER RUGBY AUPIKI DRAW
ROUND 1
Chiefs Manawa vs Matatū, Saturday, March 1, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 2.05pm
Hurricanes Poua vs Blues, Saturday March 1, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 4.35pm
ROUND 2
Blues vs Chiefs Manawa, Friday, March 7, Eden Park, Auckland, 5.05pm
Matatū vs Hurricanes Poua, Sunday, March 9, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 12.35pm
ROUND 3
Matatū vs Blues, Saturday, March 15, Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 2.05pm
Chiefs Manawa vs Hurricanes Poua, Saturday, March 15, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 4.35pm
ROUND 4
Hurricanes Poua vs Matatū, Saturday, March 22, NZCIS, Wellington, 2.05pm
Chiefs Manawa vs Blues, Saturday, March 22, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 4.35pm
ROUND 5
Blues vs Matatū, Saturday, March 29, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, 2.05pm
Hurricanes Poua vs Chiefs Manawa, Saturday, March 29, NZCIS, Wellington, 4.35pm
ROUND 6
Matatū vs Chiefs Manawa, Saturday, April 5, Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch, 2.05pm
Blues vs Hurricanes Poua, Saturday, April 5, Eden Park, Auckland, 4.35pm
FINAL
1st vs 2nd, Saturday, April 12, to be hosted by top qualifying team
WOMEN'S SUPER RUGBY CHAMPIONS FINAL
Super Rugby Aupiki champion vs Super W champion, Thursday, April 17 April, venue tbc