Alice Soper and Les Elder take a deep dive into the Poua's of the biggest squad shake-ups in Aupiki history. With only 11 players retained from last season and 19 players moving on, what does this level of churn actually mean for the franchise — and is it chaos, courage, or a necessary reset?
Alice and Les break down the departures, the recruitment strategy, and why this season may ultimately be remembered as the moment the franchise stopped chasing short-term fixes and finally committed to building something sustainable.
They also spotlight the next wave of talent emerging through New Zealand’s rugby pathways — from NZ U20s camps and U18 NZ Māori to the growing impact of Black Ferns XV programmes development. These aren’t just “players for the future” anymore; they’re ready to contribute now.
The pair discuss the significance of attracting established names from outside the province, including Renee Holmes, Krystal Murray and Ona Palu, and what those signings say about the direction and ambition of the club.
It won’t be an easy season, but there are green shoots everywhere if you know where to look. This episode is about transition, trust in development, and why meaningful change in women’s rugby requires bold decisions.
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