The Super Rugby Champions Final, also known as the Trans-Tasman Final,[1] is set to be an annual women's rugby union match contested between the winners of the Australian Super Rugby W and the New Zealand Super Rugby Aupiki. Set to be played at the conclusion of both league's seasons', the competition format is similar to a super cup.
| Sport | Women's rugby union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 |
| First season | 2025 |
| Organising body | |
| Region | Oceania |
| Related competitions |
History
editWomen's professional rugby union is still being established in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Semi-professional competitions were officially launched in 2022 in all three countries. Before 2022 women's rugby union was played in an organised fashion in all three countries however it was largely without remuneration, making it mostly amateur. With the establishment of top-flight rugby union competitions in Australia and New Zealand in 2018 and 2022 respectively, professionalism was actively being advanced.[2][3] Many players from both countries simultaneously played rugby sevens for their national team on the Women's SVNS circuit or rugby league in the Australian NRL Women's Premiership as both were developed and were actively semi-professional sports.[4]
The men's counterpart competition has been in existence since 1996, with participants from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 2021, following logistical challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the established Australian and New Zealand participants played each other in a shortened tournament known as Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.[5] The following year, in 2022, the format switched to a smaller, Pacific-centric competition which included a Fijian team and a team based in New Zealand but made up of players from across the Pacific.[6] Similar to this newly created competition format, it was reported in 2023 that both Rugby Australia (RA) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) were in negotiation talks about establishing a similar style competition for the women's game.[7] A RA spokesperson told ESPN that they couldn't come to an agreement.[7] In November 2024, with the publication of the Super Rugby Women's 2025 season fixtures, it was announced that the winners of both Super Rugby W and Super Rugby Aupiki would play each other in a final-like match at the end of their respective seasons.[1][8][9][10]
List of matches
edit| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Venue | Att | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | |||||
References
edit- ^ a b Williamson, Nathan (20 November 2024). "Crossover trans-Tasman Final confirmed as 2025 Super Rugby Women's Draw announced". Rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024.
- ^ Helmers, Caden (7 October 2022). "RA targets full-time Wallaroos by 2025 amid Super W overhaul". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022.
- ^ Pearson, Joseph (5 April 2023). "'A game for all': NZ Rugby launches 10-year action plan for women's rugby to shift 'old school attitudes'". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023.
- ^ Mee, Cameron (23 July 2024). "NRLW set for pivotal season amid popularity surge". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024.
- ^ "2021 set for thrilling Trans-Tasman crossover". rugby.com.au. 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Super Rugby Pacific format confirmed". Super Rugby NZ. 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Brittany (18 October 2023). "Expanded trans-Tasman Super W season dashed, additional double-headers added". ESPN. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Champions Final headlines 2025 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki draw announcement". nzrugby.co.nz. 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024.
- ^ Meikle, Hayden (21 November 2024). "Transtasman final for women's teams". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Lester, Ned (20 November 2024). "Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W champions set to square off in 2025". Rugbypass. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.