News

The Chiefs Manawa have signed Counties Manukau Heat players Ruby Tui, Mererangi Paul, Hazel Tubic, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa for the 2025 Aupiki Season.

Ruby and Mererangi are returning from their commitments with the Black Ferns and will be aiming for World Cup selection later in 2025. Hazel continues to stand out with her exceptional performances, while Shoshanah capped off an impressive year, emerging as one of the top players in the FPC and maintaining her form during the WXV 1 series against Canada.

Meanwhile, the Blues have also signed Counties Manukau Heat players Jaymie Kolose, Paris Mataroa, Harono Te Iringa and Grace Gago. Jaymie returns after an outstanding FPC season, where she was named the Heat's MVP and will be vying for higher honors next year. Paris has shown significant improvement in her game, particularly in contact areas, earning her Aupiki selection. Grace, a Black Fern, is looking to make her long-awaited return from injury and surgery during the Aupiki season.

Unfortunately, no Counties Manukau Heat Manusina players were awarded Aupiki contracts due to overseas player restrictions, despite many being considered world-class talents. This situation extends to other top-performing New Zealand-based Heat players whose exceptional form in the FPC went unrecognized in the Aupiki contracting process.