Super W rugby: Why expansion to include NZ, OS teams crucial to keep women’s talent in the game

This rugby coach believes the establishment of a Super W Pacific in line with the men would have enormous ramifications for the sport – and keep the NRLW at bay from prized talent.

Force’s Raewyn Tuheke calls instructions in the maul a Super W match between the NSW Waratahs and the Western Force at Leichhardt Oval last year.

Waratahs women’s coach Campbell Aitken believes the establishment of a Super W Pacific in line with the men would have enormous ramifications for the sport – and help keep the NRLW at bay from its prized talent.

Aitken said it is crucial to the health of the women’s game moving forward that an expanded tournament is up and running by next year.

Aitken and his Waratahs squad of 32 recently travelled to New Zealand to play two trial matches against the Blues and Chiefs in a first for women's teams ahead of the 2023 Super W competition.

“We were the first Australian women’s Super Rugby team to play in NZ and we really pushed it to happen.,’’ he said. “We are trying to get these competitions closer together.

“A Super W Pacific has to happen in the next few years, ideally by next season, it’s being discussed.’’

Tamika Jones of the Force is tackled by Georgina Friedrichs of the Waratahs last season.

“The next World Cup is in 2025. To allow the Wallaroos to be more competitive they need to play more games competitively. If they had Super Rugby Pacific in 2024 and 2025 it would be a huge improvement.’’

Aitken said an expanded competition – including New Zealand sides and potentially teams such as Japan and Samoa – would work to improve the standard of the game, its teams and the Wallaroos and be yet another “carrot;'’ to keep women in rugby rather than looking for opportunity in competitions such as the expanded NRLW.

“Our is a global game which is attractive and now the Wallaroos will have regular Tests in America, Canada, New Zealand. Other sports can’t offer that,’’ he said.

“There’s the chance to travel, there’s an Olympic pathway, add in Super W Pacific, that’s another reason, another carrot for our players to stay in rugby union.’’

Fijiana Drua beat the NSW Waratahs last season.

Aitken said ideally the women’s comp would be a 10-12 team event and include numerous New Zealand sides.

The five round and finals series of the Super W 2023 season opens with the NSW Waratahs hosting Western Force on March 24 at Allianz Stadium.

The next day defending champions Fijiana Drua host the ACT Brumbies in Nadi and

Melbourne Rebels host the Queensland Reds.

Briana Dascombe of the Reds on the burst against the Melbourne Rebels last year.

NSW WARATAHS: Adiana Talakai, Brianna Hoy, Bridie O’Gorman, Brittany Merlo, Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Georgia Chapple, Katalina Amosa, Ana-Lise Sio, Atasi Lafai, Rosie Ebbage, Sera Naiqama, Bronte Wilson, Piper Duck, Fi Jones, Grace Hamilton, Loretta Mailangi, Leilani Nathan, Brooke McKinnon, Claudia Meltzer, Iliseva Batibasaga, Layne Morgan, Tatum Bird, Ella Ryan, Georgina Friedrichs, Jade Sheridan, Katrina Barker, Caitlyn Halse, Desiree Miller, Jacinta Windsor, Margot Vella, Maya Stewart.

QUEENSLAND REDS: Bree-Anna Cheatham, Madi Schuck, Alapeta Ngauamo, Theresa Soloai, Nina Poletti, Tiarna Molloy, Tazmin Sheppard, Miki Trbojevic, Annabelle Codey,

Deni Ross, Tina Campbell, Joana Rabaka, Shannon Parry, Hana Lane, Carola Kries, Haidee Head, Megan Prinsloo, Sarah Lewis, Terri-Anne Egan, Renae Nona, Cecilia Smith, Dianne Hiini, Mel Wilks, Caitlyn Urwin, Sam Curtis, Ivania Wong, Briana Dascombe, Heleina Young

Ellie Draper.

ACT BRUMBIES: Amy Rule, Iris Verebalavu Tilila Hifo, Benita Ese Sale, Sally Fuesaina, Brittany Leauanae, Tania Naden, Harriet Elleman, Erika Maslen, Ash Fernandez, Jess Grant, Kate Holland, Ivy Merlehan, Alyce Solaese, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Lydia Kavoa, Zali Waihape, Edwina Munns-Cook, Grace Kemp, Jay Huriwai, Gisela Vea, Faitala Moleka, Shonte To’a, Gabrielle Petersen, Siokapesi Palu, Harmony Ioane, Sarah Riordan, Emerina Marsh-Kiro

Jemima McCalman, Apryll Green, Biola Dawa, Sammie Wood, Ashlea Bishop, Akira Kelly.

MELBOURNE REBELS: Laiema Bosenavulagi, Hayley Glass, Janita Kareta, Asipau Mafi, Vika Matarugu, Jiowana Sauto, Hope Kareta, Ashley Marsters, Michaela Maunsell, Nawel Remini, Easter Savelio, Tanya Yabaki, Naila Faaiuaso, Phoebe Linder-Patton, Sydney Niupulusu, Ariana Perez Utumalefata, To’omalatai Atonio Eli, Jessica Campbell, Sarah Hogan,

Chantelle Kohika-Skipper, Meretiana Robinson, Shenique Taula, Faalua Tugaga, Allyssa Lolesio-Pua, Hope Schuster, Wasie Toolis, Harmony Vatau, Amy Williams, Mia-Rae Clifford, Kerri Johnson, Karin Kusano, Jade Te Aute.

WESTERN FORCE: Braxton Walker, Angelica Uila, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Mercedes Putz, Penina Tuilaepa, Sera Ah-Sam, Sofia Bekir Fuente, Ashlee Knight, Elizabeth Kennedy

Libya Teepa, Destiny Maui, Katie Barnes, Keira McAskill, Sera Ravatudei, Taj Heald, Tamika Jones, Kendra Fell, Saelua Leaula, Samantha Wood, Ariana Hira-Herangi, Bo Burton, Langley Sesega, Nicole Ledington, Trilleen Pomare, Zakiya Kereopa, Aiysha Wigley, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Martha Mataele, Paihau Pomare, Rachel Laqeretabua.

Originally published as Super W rugby: Why expansion to include NZ, OS teams crucial to keep women’s talent in the game