All up New Zealand Rugby has contracted 105 across the Blues, Chiefs Manawa, Hurricanes Poua, and Matatū for next year's Super Rugby Aupiki season.
The contract list includes 28 Super Rugby debutants.
26 Rugby World Cup Black Ferns have been named, and a further 26 players who have previously donned the black jersey.
There will be four sets of sisters in action, Ruahei Demant and Kiritapu Demant (Blues), Chelsea Bremner and Alana Bremner (Chiefs Manawa and Matatū), Carla Hohepa and Chyna Hohepa (Chiefs Manawa), Martha Mataele and Atlanta Lolohea (Matatū).
Black Fern internationals and sisters Alana and Chelsea Bremner will be on opposing Super Rugby Aupiki sides in 2023. Photo: Photosport
Black Ferns assistant coach Whitney Hansen will return as Matatū assistant coach following her Rugby World Cup success.
"Ruahei Demant (Blues), Kennedy Simon (Chiefs Manawa), Ayesha Leti-I'iga (Hurricanes Poua) and Renee Holmes (Matatū) have all become household names, now it's an opportunity to see these wāhine, alongside, exciting young talent who will be the future of the Black Ferns," said NZR general manager Chris Lendrum.
Blues:
The Blues squad includes 12 rookies.
Among them Kiwi Fern, Katelyn Vahaakolo who will make the switch to Union, following her success at the Rugby League World Cup.
Black Ferns Captain and World Rugby Player of the Year, Ruahei Demant will be joined by sister Kiritapu Demant, who is set to make her Super Rugby debut.
Ruahei Demant Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Black Ferns lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos will provide experience alongside fellow Black Fern, loose forward Charmaine McMenamin.
Squad:
Forwards: Alakoka Po'oi, Charmaine McMenamin, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Chryss Viliko, Dajian Brown, Eloise Blackwell, Grace Gago, Joanna Fanene Lolo, Letelemalanuola Lavea, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Maama Vaipulu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Sophie Fisher, Shannon Leota, Tafito Lafaele.
Backs: Ariana Bayler, Holly Williams, Jaymie Kolose, Katelyn Vaha'akolo, Kiritapu Demant, Krysten Cottrell, Melanie Puckett, Patricia Maliepo, Ruahei Demant, Logo I Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt, Tara Turner.
Key Gains: Ariana Bayler (Chiefs Manawa), Katelyn Vahaakolo (League), Kiritapu Demant.
On the move: Aroha Savage (Hurricanes Poua), Charmaine Smith (Chiefs Manawa), Cristo Tofa, Krystal Murray (Hurricanes Poua), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Sevens).
Chiefs Manawa:
The defending champions, Chiefs Manawa have largely retained a wealth of experience from their 2022 campaign with the squad featuring nine Rugby World Cup winning Black Ferns.
Black Ferns lock Chelsea Bremner has made the move north from Matatū as has Hurricanes Poua back, Amanda Rasch.
Squad:
Forwards: Angel Mulu, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Charmaine Smith, Chelsea Bremner, Chyna Hohepa, Dhys Faleafaga, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Kelsie Wills, Kennedy Simon, Luka Connor, Pia Tapsell, Santo Taumata, Tanya Kalounivale, Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Victoria Makea.
Backs: Amanda Rasch, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Azalleyah Maaka, Carla Hohepa, Chelsea Semple, Georgia Daals, Hazel Tubic, Langi Veainu, Merania Paraone, Mererangi Paul, Renee Wickliffe, Violet Hapi-Wise.
Key Gains: Amanda Rasch (Hurricanes Poua), Chelsea Bremner (Matatū), Charmaine Smith (Blues), Dhys Faleafaga.
On the move: Ariana Bayler (Blues), Kelly Brazier (Sevens), Les Elder (Retired), Maia Joseph (Injured), Portia Woodman (Sevens), Rugby Tui (TBC), Stacey Fluhler (Sevens).
Hurricanes Poua:
16 players return for Hurricanes Poua for the 2023 season.
Rugby World Cup winning Black Ferns lock Joanah Ngan-Woo this season will be joined by Black Ferns teammate Krystal Murray. Complementing a strong forward pack, is the inclusion of 2017 Rugby World Cup winning Black Fern Aroha Savage.
Black Ferns winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga also returns to the side.
Black Fern winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga is returning to the Hurricanes Poua. Photo: Photosport
Squad:
Forwards: Aroha Savage, Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, Cristo Tofa, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kahurangi Sturmey, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Krystal Murray, Layla Sae, Leilani Perese, Maddie Feaunati, Rhiarna Ferris, Rachel Rakatau, Saphire Abraham, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate.
Backs: Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Bernadette Robertson, Carys Dallinger, Crystal Mayes, Iritana Hohaia, Isabella Waterman, Milly Mackey, Monica Tagoai, Teilah Ferguson, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali.
Key Gains: Aroha Savage (Blues), Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono (Blues), Cristo Tofa (Blues), Isabella Waterman (Matatū), Krystal Murray (Blues).
On the move: Amanda Rasch (Chiefs), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Matatū)).
Matatū:
The Matatū will be a force to be reckonded with, featuring the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup powerful front row trio of Phillipa Love, Amy Rule and Georgia Ponsonby.
Black Ferns teammates Kendra Reynolds and Natalie Delamere will also be an influential force.
Georgia Cormick joins Matatū following a strong Farah Palmer Cup season with Otago. Cormick is no stranger to Super Rugby having competed in the SuperW with the Melbourne Rebels.
Australian international Sera Naiqama also joins the side.
Naiqama a current Wallaroo and NSW Waratahs SuperW player, has had a taste of New Zealand women's rugby, after facing the Black Ferns in the Rugby World Cup opener.
Kendra Cocksedge's retirement is a major loss for Matatū. Photo: Photosport
Squad:
Forwards: Alana Bremner, Amy Rule, Atlanta Lolohea, Cindy Nelles, Emma Dermody, Georgia Ponsonby, Kendra Reynolds, Leah Miles, Lucy Jenkins, Marcelle Parkes, Moomooga (Ona) Palu, Natalie Delamere, Phillipa Love, Sera Naiqama, Steph Te Ohaere Fox.
Backs: Amy Du Plessis, Charntay Poko, Chey Robins-Reti, Cheyenne Cunningham, Di Hiini, Georgia Cormick, Grace Brooker, Grace Steinmetz, Martha Mataele, Renee Holmes, Rosie Kelly, TeRauoriwa Gapper.
Key Gains: Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Cormick, Charntay Poko, Sera Naiqama (SuperW), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Hurricanes Poua), Cheyenne Cunningham, Cindy Nelles (Blues), Leah Miles.
On the move: Kendra Cocksedge (Retired), Chelsea Bremner (Chiefs Manawa), Isabelle Waterman (Hurricanes Poua), Kilistina Vea (parental leave), Liv McGoverne (Exeter Chiefs).
-RNZ
