Hurricanes Poua

On 7 February 2022, The Hurricanes revealed the new name of their women's team – Hurricanes Poua. The new team identity was developed collaboratively by a select committee that included past and present Black Ferns. They drew from preexisting Māori narratives, the team's identity has a connection to both the Hurricanes region and their people. The name Poua was derived from the Māori narrative of Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earthmother).

New Zealand Rugby announced that an elite women's competition, consisting of four teams, called Super Rugby Aupiki was confirmed for March 2022.{{Cite web |last=Rugby |first=Oceania |date=2021-10-05 |title=New Zealand Rugby confirms a Four-team women’s Super Rugby Aupiki for March 2022 |url=https://oceania.rugby/news/fourteam-womens-super-rugby-aupiki-confirmed-for-march-2022-2021106 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=oceania.rugby |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-06 |title=NZR announces new women's Super Rugby competition |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-new-zealand-rugby-announces-new-four-team-womens-competition/CYOQRVGXV6PZUGQI7BVZ45RWIM/ |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202120855/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-new-zealand-rugby-announces-new-four-team-womens-competition/CYOQRVGXV6PZUGQI7BVZ45RWIM/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Trudi |title="This is a no-brainer": New Zealand Rugby launches elite women's competition |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/10/06/this-is-a-no-brainer-new-zealand-rugby-launches-elite-womens-competition |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=www.sen.com.au |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813203155/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/10/06/this-is-a-no-brainer-new-zealand-rugby-launches-elite-womens-competition/ |url-status=live }} The competition would run for four weeks and the women would be paid for their participation.{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Joseph |date=2021-10-05 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: Players will be paid in NZ Rugby's new elite women's competition |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126594314/super-rugby-aupiki-players-will-be-paid-in-nz-rugbys-new-elite-womens-competition |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111072633/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126594314/super-rugby-aupiki-players-will-be-paid-in-nz-rugbys-new-elite-womens-competition |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Voerman |first=Andrew |date=2021-05-06 |title=New Zealand Rugby commits to launching new elite women's competition in 2022 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/125045349/new-zealand-rugby-commits-to-launching-new-elite-womens-competition-in-2022 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813203152/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/125045349/new-zealand-rugby-commits-to-launching-new-elite-womens-competition-in-2022 |url-status=live }}

Hurricanes Poua released a list of players that had signed for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-04 |title=Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced |url=https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/inaugural-super-rugby-aupiki-squads-announced/ |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=superrugby.co.nz |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809054640/https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/inaugural-super-rugby-aupiki-squads-announced/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-04 |title=Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-inaugural-squads-announced/AUZWWP3I7UYKR72WSIRVYNOOTE/ |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=11 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211182021/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-inaugural-squads-announced/AUZWWP3I7UYKR72WSIRVYNOOTE/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=2022 Chiefs Women's Squad announced |url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/2022-chiefs-womens-squad-announced |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Chiefs |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103193205/https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/2022-chiefs-womens-squad-announced |url-status=live }} Wesley Clarke was appointed as Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua. Former Black Fern, Victoria Grant, and Manawatu Cyclones Head Coach, Fusi Feaunati, were named as his assistant coaches.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-28 |title=Hurricanes Confirm Women's Coaching Group for 2022 |url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-confirm-womens-coaching-group-for-2022/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Hurricanes |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825110103/https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-confirm-womens-coaching-group-for-2022/ |url-status=live }} Sarah Hirini was named to captain the side for their maiden season.

The Hurricanes Poua were forced to withdraw from their opening match against the Blues Women due to COVID cases and isolation requirements within the team. The teams shared the competition points as the match had been cancelled.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-07 |title=Another Covid blow as Super Rugby Aupiki match cancelled |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-hurricanes-poua-forced-to-withdraw-from-blues-match-due-to-covid-19/UWGW4VJVOGGU5EYJQGTA66F2EQ/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104600/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-hurricanes-poua-forced-to-withdraw-from-blues-match-due-to-covid-19/UWGW4VJVOGGU5EYJQGTA66F2EQ/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Chapman |first=Grant |date=2022-03-08 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: COVID-19 forces cancellation of women's competition opener between Hurricanes Poua, Blues |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/03/super-rugby-aupiki-covid-19-forces-cancellation-of-women-s-competition-opener-between-hurricanes-poua-blues.html |access-date=2022-08-25 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104601/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/03/super-rugby-aupiki-covid-19-forces-cancellation-of-women-s-competition-opener-between-hurricanes-poua-blues.html |url-status=dead }} After missing out on their opening game, Hurricanes Poua finally got their much awaited debut. They faced Chiefs Manawa in the second round of competition but were beaten 29–8.{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Joseph |date=2022-03-15 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa overcome Hurricanes Poua despite losing two players to sinbin |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/128062589/super-rugby-aupiki-chiefs-manawa-overcome-hurricanes-poua-despite-losing-two-players-to-sinbin |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813203009/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/128062589/super-rugby-aupiki-chiefs-manawa-overcome-hurricanes-poua-despite-losing-two-players-to-sinbin |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Burnes |first=Campbell |date=2022-03-15 |title=Chiefs Manawa go 2–0 in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/chiefs-manawa-go-2-0-in-sky-super-rugby-aupiki/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104657/https://www.allblacks.com/news/chiefs-manawa-go-2-0-in-sky-super-rugby-aupiki/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Alex |date=2022-03-15 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa continue unbeaten start to debut season with victory over Hurricanes Poua |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/03/super-rugby-aupiki-chiefs-manawa-continue-unbeaten-start-to-debut-season-with-victory-over-hurricanes-poua.html |access-date=2022-08-25 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104600/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/03/super-rugby-aupiki-chiefs-manawa-continue-unbeaten-start-to-debut-season-with-victory-over-hurricanes-poua.html |url-status=dead }} Hurricanes Poua recorded their first win in the final round after defeating Matatū 18–6.{{Cite web |last=Reive |first=Christopher |date=2022-03-20 |title=Hurricanes Poua claim first Super Rugby win |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-hurricanes-poua-claim-first-win/LJMJB2FPTHMWP6LQKBHBKC5NHA/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813155949/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/super-rugby-aupiki-hurricanes-poua-claim-first-win/LJMJB2FPTHMWP6LQKBHBKC5NHA/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cheshire |first=Jeff |date=2022-03-21 |title=Matatu's efforts not enough to seal a first-season win |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/matatu%E2%80%99s-efforts-not-enough-seal-first-season-win |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104652/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/matatu%E2%80%99s-efforts-not-enough-seal-first-season-win |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=David |date=2022-03-20 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: Ayesha Leti-I'iga inspires Hurricanes Poua to first win against Matatū – galaxyconcerns |url=https://galaxyconcerns.com/super-rugby-aupiki-ayesha-leti-iiga-inspires-hurricanes-poua-to-first-win-against-matatu/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |language=en-US |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104600/https://galaxyconcerns.com/super-rugby-aupiki-ayesha-leti-iiga-inspires-hurricanes-poua-to-first-win-against-matatu/ |url-status=live }}

Victoria Grant was appointed as the new Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua for the 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=Grant to Lead Hurricanes Poua in 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki |url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/grant-to-lead-hurricanes-poua-in-2023-super-rugby-aupiki/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Hurricanes |language=en |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017000106/https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/grant-to-lead-hurricanes-poua-in-2023-super-rugby-aupiki/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Alex |date=2022-09-28 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki: First female coaches appointed for expanded 2023 competition |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/09/super-rugby-aupiki-first-female-coaches-appointed-for-expanded-2023-competition.html |access-date=2022-10-16 |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017000100/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/09/super-rugby-aupiki-first-female-coaches-appointed-for-expanded-2023-competition.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki returns for 2023 with two new coaches |url=https://www.nzsportswire.com/2022/09/28/super-rugby-aupiki-returns-for-2023-with-two-new-coaches/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=NZ Sports Wire |language=en-NZ |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017004606/https://www.nzsportswire.com/2022/09/28/super-rugby-aupiki-returns-for-2023-with-two-new-coaches/ |url-status=dead }} Grant was absent for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season and was expected to return as head coach in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Lester |first=Ned |date=2023-11-10 |title=Super Rugby Aupiki coaches confirmed for 2024 season |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/super-rugby-aupiki-coaches-confirmed-for-2024-season/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217091354/https://www.rugbypass.com/news/super-rugby-aupiki-coaches-confirmed-for-2024-season/ |url-status=live }} Ngatai Walker will be head coach for the 2024 season.

In early March 2024, the Hurricanes Poua attracted media attention after they used an altered haka (ceremonial dance) before a match with the Chiefs Manawa on 2 March. The haka contained the Māori language line "karetao o te Kāwana kakiwhero" or "puppets of this redneck government," which referred to the incumbent National-led coalition government. The haka also made references to Toitu te Tiriti, a political movement that had criticised the Government's policies towards the Māori language and perceived breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Joe |title=NZ Rugby investigate Hurricanes Poua haka |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/510990/nz-rugby-investigate-hurricanes-poua-haka |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=6 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306064951/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/510990/nz-rugby-investigate-hurricanes-poua-haka |url-status=live }} The Poua lost 46–24 to the Chiefs Manawa.{{cite news |title=David Seymour calls Hurricanes Poua's 'redneck' haka 'stupid' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/david-seymour-calls-hurricanes-pouas-redneck-haka-stupid/3BELBLHMMNBGVC2VILD7ADLWQU/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=7 March 2024 |archive-date=6 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306185407/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/david-seymour-calls-hurricanes-pouas-redneck-haka-stupid/3BELBLHMMNBGVC2VILD7ADLWQU/ |url-status=live }}

Following media attention, Hurricanes Poua prop and haka leader Leilani Perese claimed that the Hurricanes' management had approved the altered haka but this was disputed by Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee, who said he was not consulted. Lee announced that the Hurricanes would apologise to the Government. New Zealand Rugby also announced that it would investigate the matter, while the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) confirmed it would speak with the Hurricanes Poua team members. The Hurricanes Poua were criticised by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and ACT party leader David Seymour, who said that the team was more interested in politics than in winning the match.{{cite news |title=Winston Peters tackles Hurricanes Poua over 'redneck government' haka |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350202601/winston-peters-tackles-hurricanes-poua-over-redneck-government-haka |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Stuff |date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317035813/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350202601/winston-peters-tackles-hurricanes-poua-over-redneck-government-haka |url-status=live }} By contrast, Kaihaka (performer) and Māori language expert Mataia Keepa defended the Hurricanes Poua, stating that it was "absolutely humbling ... and absolutely heroic" to witness the team's haka.{{cite news |title=Poua wāhine 'absolutely heroic' to perform haka – expert |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/06/poua-wahine-absolutely-heroic-to-perform-haka-expert/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307023750/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/06/poua-wahine-absolutely-heroic-to-perform-haka-expert/ |url-status=live }}

On 30 October 2024, the squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season was announced.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Sky Super Rugby Aupiki squads locked in for 2025 |url=https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/latest-news/sky-super-rugby-aupiki-squads-locked-in-for-2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=NZ Rugby |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-30 |title=Hurricanes Poua Announce Squad for 2025 |url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-poua-announce-squad-for-2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.hurricanes.co.nz}}

• Head Coach: Fusi Feaunati
• Assistant Coach: –
• Skills Coach:
• Resource Coach: Matt Sexton
• Team Manager: Mary-Jane Durkin
• Doctor: Dr. Lincoln Wharetohunga
• Physiotherapist: Kara Fowke
• Performance Analyst: Matt Healey
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Luke Vasu

Notes:

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/ Official website]

{{Super Rugby Aupiki}}

{{Hurricanes Poua squad}}

{{Hurricanes (rugby union)}}

Category:2021 establishments in New Zealand

Category:Super Rugby Aupiki

Category:Rugby union teams in New Zealand

Category:Rugby clubs established in 2021

Category:Sport in Wellington

Category:Women's rugby union teams

Category:Women's rugby union teams in New Zealand

Category:Hurricanes (rugby union)