Women's representative rugby returns to the field this weekend when the Farah Palmer Cup kicks off.
New Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup captain Alana Bremner. Photo: Photosport
Earlier this year there were fears the fallout from Covid-19 would cancel the provincial competition, leaving the Black Ferns short of game time ahead of their World Cup title defence in Auckland next year.
The competition's start date was pushed back following the latest Covid outbreak in Auckland but with a new format and some famous faces the top level of women's rugby in New Zealand will be on show for the next nine weeks.
Black Fern halfback Kendra Cocksedge is relying on the Farah Palmer Cup being more competitive than ever before.
The 32-year-old is a veteran of the competition and has achieved plenty of personal and team milestones during her 13 seasons with the defending champion Canterbury side, but there is more on the line than just the trophy this year.
Canterbury player Kendra Cocksedge. Photo: Photosport
"We need the Farah Palmer Cup to be a really good quality competition, there is competition for spots next year, you're never guaranteed a Black Ferns spot and I think this year's FPC is going to be huge in terms of what next year looks like in that Black Ferns squad," Cocksedge says.
New Canterbury coach Blair Baxter has had a limited pre-season with his large squad but he says he hasn't really changed a winning formula.
Canterbury were unbeaten last season and are now chasing a a fourth consecutive title - or as they are calling it a "double-double".
Baxter says his young and experienced players are pushing hard to be ready to defend their title.
"Because of Covid there is no ability to have a development side in our Union this season so carrying a larger squad enables us to get a heap more stuff done at training and we're training under a lot more pressure and a lot more intensity and I think the girls are really thriving in that environment," Baxter says.
Carla Hohepa has not played FPC for many years. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Carla Hohepa can't really remember the last time she played in the FPC, but at a guess she says it was 2012.
Hohepa is a world champion Black Fern and Black Fern Sevens player who usually spends part of her year in Japan with her rugby-playing partner Karne Hesketh and her two sons, so misses out on playing in the provincial competition.
But as Covid-19 impacts on travel and with a World Cup on the horizon Hohepa will return to her hometown and line-up alongside her sister Chyna for Waikato in this year's revamped competition.
This year's FPC will be noticeably different from when Hohepa last played.
The 13-team competition is split into North and South pools and experienced international players will be joined by school girls in showcase of the depth of the country's rugby talent.
Auckland players Eloise Blackwell and Linda Itunu hug as the final whistle sounds during the Auckland Storm vs Wellington Pride Farah Palmer Cup rugby semi final held at Eden Park 2019. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki make up the North pool.
Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury and Otago are the South pool.
The top two teams from both pools will play crossover games for the semi-finals with the winners progressing to the final.
"It's one of the best competitions in the world and I think if anything it's quite exciting that it's going to be north verse south at the bottom end of the competition, but I think everyone is going to bring their best out this season," Hohepa says.
"It's a chance to also put your hand up for World Cup selection for next year as well so it will bring out a few bolters and I think a lot of the experienced players and the players that are in the Black Ferns will make sure that they are working hard to keep their spot."
It's not just New Zealand internationals who will making the most of their time on the field.
North Harbour Hibiscus prop Lynn Koelman has only been playing rugby for three years but has already represented Holland at the European Championships.
She has a background in waterpolo but influenced by her younger brother's love of rugby she thought she'd give it a go and has ended up in New Zealand with the Inside Running rugby academy.
Netherlands rugby player Lynn Koelman. Photo: Supplied
"After I quit waterpolo I joined CrossFit for a year but I really missed the team environment, and I was always really aggressive during waterpolo so I didn't see myself playing field hockey or soccer because I would probably get yellow carded all the time
"[Rugby] allows me to be a little bit more aggressive than other sports and I love it."
Koelman will make her FPC debut on Saturday against Counties Manukau Heat.
"It's going to be pretty special all the hard work and effort I have put in this year training is paying off and my little brother was here last year as well, he played for North Harbour under-19, so it's going to be a special moment to put on the same colours as he did."
With Auckland being under Covid-19 alert level 3, Koelman who has been living in the Bay of Plenty was locked out of Harbour team trainings over the past couple of weeks.
While she has been able to keep training in the gym she is looking forward to field trainings and getting to know her new team mates - two of who are still at high school.
Pia Tapsell playing against Australia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The North Harbour also squad includes contracted Black Fern Pia Tapsell and prop Liv Ward-Duine who made her test debut last year in the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy match against Australia in Perth and former Black Ferns Sevens player Hayley Hutana has also transferred to the region.
"I think it's really cool to see all these girls wanting to play high performance rugby and I think it's good to see that the women's side of rugby is really growing, I'm just really grateful for the opportunity that North Harbour is giving me and they are welcoming players from other districts to join their team and I think that's awesome because that is one way to grow this sport," Koelman says.
The opportunity to play FPC shouldn't be taken for granted Koelman says.
"If this is one of your goals in life you really need to put in the effort because there are a lot of girls who want to play FPC.
"I also think if you aspire to go abroad or play for a different club I think it will really help, it's really good on your resume to have such a high performance environment on there."
Canterbury were 2019 champions. Photo: Photosport
Even though Canterbury have proven tough to beat in previous FPC seasons, Carla Hohepa says the champs can be toppled.
"It's open for whoever is willing to work the hardest and who wants it the most and I think at this level you just can't wing it and Canterbury have been the fittest team for the last few years now and it has showed in their performance," Hophepa says.
"I guess when you're at the top and you're number 1 there is always a target on your back but everyone will be coming out and wanting to knock them off that top."
The FPC kicks off this weekend with the North sides and the South teams join the action from week two.