Matau players celebrate winning the 2023 crown. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Super Rugby Aupiki players are set for better pay and an extended season as part of a revamp to the women's competition.
However, the tournament will remain in Aotearoa, with no immediate plans to combine with Australia or the Pacific Islands.
Among the changes announced on Tuesday are a home and away format before a final, a longer pre-season training programme and player payments increasing.
Each club will contract 30 players, an increase of two players per squad, who will take part in an eight-week individual paid preparation window before a four-week pre-season that will include two matches.
The season will again feature the Blues, Chiefs Manawa, Hurricanes Poua and the Matatū in the south and will kick off in March with six weeks of round robin action before the top two teams contest a final.
The defending champions will be Matatū, who defeated Chiefs Manawa 33-31 in the final in Hamilton in March.
Matches will be a mix of standalone fixtures and double-headers with their Super Rugby Pacific counterparts.
With the increased time commitment, non-Black Ferns players who are contracted will see payments more than doubling to a minimum of $17,000 for the season.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
New Zealand Rugby general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said for Super Rugby Aupiki to be the best on-field showcase for the women's game they need to get the preparation right.
"We are confident that the increased individual training and assembly periods will strengthen our players and as a result, the rugby they produce."
Lendrum said a full home and away round robin will give fans the chance to see more of their favourite players in action.
He said there remains potential in the future to combine in some way with Super W in Australia and that will continue to be explored.
"In the short term we are hopeful we will arrange some preseason fixtures with our trans-Tasman rivals."
Blues CEO Andrew Hore said the changes show a genuine desire to grow the women's game.
"The stronger Super Rugby Aupiki is, the stronger women's rugby in New Zealand will be. A strong competition ensures there is a pathway for young women wanting to play at the elite level."
This format will be in place for the 2024 and 2025 seasons in the build up to Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.
Clubs are currently working through contracting players with squads to be finalised within the month.