Women’s Fleurs Trophy kicking off under lights this Friday

Women’s rugby returns tomorrow night with the opening set of matches of the first round Fleurs Trophy.

The number of teams, and players, taking part continues to grow, matching the trend nationwide where the women’s game accounts for virtually all growth in player numbers.

As recently as 2013 there were just five teams in the Wellington competition, in 2016 there will be double that – 10 – in action. Norths, Oriental-Rongotai, Old Boys-University, Hutt Old Boys Marist, Avalon, Wainuiomata, and Poneke all return, while Johnsonville and Tawa have joined forces for 2016. The new sides are Marist St Pat’s, returning on their own two feet for the first time since 2011 after being in an alliance with Poneke the past few seasons, and the Upper Hutt Rams, making their debut in the competition.

Tomorrow night’s opening games all kick off at 7.30pm with Norths hosting Poneke at Ascot Park (Norths also defending the Challenge Cup), Johnsonville-Tawa and MSP meeting at Alex Moore Park and the Upper Hutt Rams taking the stage at Maidstone Park against Wainuiomata. Neighbours Avalon and HOBM meet in the Lower Hutt derby at Fraser Park, while the game of the round is between OBU and Ories at Te Whaea.

Last year Norths reclaimed both trophies, the first-round Fleurs Trophy and the championship-round Victoria Tavern Trophy, from their arch rivals Oriental-Rongotai. The Porirua club has long been the yardstick in the competition, and have suffered only six losses in the last four seasons – three to Ories, two to Wainuiomata, and one to Eketahuna when the Wairarapa club played in the Wellington competition. However, word is that they will be understrength for the start of the season at least, and could be vulnerable.

Oriental-Rongotai will be more than keen to reclaim the two trophies they relinquished last year, and with several members of the Wellington Pride team, notably Amanda Rasch, Lizzie Goulden, Joanah Ngan-Woo, and teenaged winger Ayesha Leti-L’iga in their squad they could arguably be the team to beat in 2016. One player they will be without is talismanic prop Noeleen Nonu who has moved to Australia.

Old Boys-University have usually been there or thereabouts, but haven’t managed to best the top two which would be both a frustration and a source of motivation. They return many of last year’s squad, including Pride midfielder Georgia Daals who topped the points scoring charts with 190, and outside back Bianca Lloyd-Jones who notched 16 tries, though there is also the usual turnover associated with being a university club.

Avalon were the fourth semi-finalist last year, and in the likely absence of Black Ferns 7’s representative Kat Whata-Simpkins as she fights for a place in the Olympics squad much will depend on combative representative loose forward Carol Sio and outside back Ruby Finau. Another loss is last year’s captain Mary-Jane Ale who has moved to Auckland as she focuses on League.

Hutt Old Boys Marist was the surprise package of last season, returning to the competition after a number of years in abeyance and making the Premier second-round. They unearthed a talent in Czech Petra Kriklanova who went from novice to starting at lock for the Pride within a matter of weeks, though a badly-broken finger from her softball endeavours will sideline her for the start of the season. One to watch is midfielder Jaydah Timu.

Wainuiomata suffered from a number of defections to HOBM last year and will be looking to bounce back this year after missing the top-five for the second round, concluding the year running up cricket scores against the minnows in the Senior division. Major contributors for them will be veteran Pride pair Jackie Patea and Alice Soper, and youngsters Chanelle Skipper and Davina Lasini.

Marist St Pat’s are being coached by a pair of the clubs Premier men’s squad, veteran outside back Ryan Setefano and former national U20 rep Matt Peni. Despite a successful summer 7’s campaign Setefano says they have a simple philosophy.

“Our goal this year is to simply enjoy each week and try and get better as a team, but we also have 10 girls lacing up the boots for the first time ever, so it’s an exciting task”.

Two recent school-leavers will be critical players for them, both with ties to the club. Tina Hamlin-Auvaa’s late father Herman played for MSP, while Georgia Broughton’s father Norm needs little introduction.

Johnsonville-Tawa, Poneke, and the Upper Hutt Rams may struggle against the bigger name teams, but their clashes amongst themselves should be competitive ones.

The Fleurs Trophy competition will alternate between Friday nights for the odd-numbered rounds and the more traditional Saturday late morning for the even-numbered ones. The exception will be the round nine clash between Ories and Norths which will take place on the Saturday as not only a potential decider, but also as part of the Miramar club’s Old Timers’ Day.