Photo: Photosport
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will shift the dates of Super Rugby Aupiki so that it doesn't clash with new international windows for the Black Ferns, who have an expanded test schedule in 2026.
The governing body has announced changes to the domestic women's calendar for next year following World Rugby's announcement of the WXV Global Series.
The Black Ferns will play 10 test matches next year with four in New Zealand.
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: New Zealand Black Ferns performing the haka ahead of the match against France, 2025. Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT
Three tests against Pacific rivals will take place in April, which will include the traditional Pacific Four fixtures. The Black Ferns will also once again play for the O'Reilly Cup against Australia.
As part of the WXV Global Series, the Black Ferns will play six tests in a home and away format against some of the top 12 teams in the world, in September and October.
NZR head of women's high performance, Hannah Porter, said the new international schedule is a major boost.
"It's more rugby, but crucially it is more rugby against the world's top teams," Porter said.
"It will be a major change in the next World Cup cycle as we look toward the 2029 tournament in Australia."
Porter said Super Rugby Aupiki will move to later in the year.
Previously played through March and April, Super Rugby Aupiki will now take place between June and August, with six regular season games and a grand final.
The winner of Super Rugby Aupiki will take on the winner of Australia's Super Rugby W in the women's Super Rugby Champions Final, which will take place in Australia in 2026.
"We are ambitious in our plans to expand Aupiki and having a clear window in the middle of the year allows for a longer preseason and the option to extend the season moving forward," Porter said.
"It's important for our players to spend more time in those team environments, so they have more exposure to the coaching, training, preparation and habits of a full-time professional athlete."
Blues hooker Atlanta Lolohea - Super Rugby Aupiki - Blues v Hurricanes Poua at Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Porter said NZR is already investigating how this would work for future seasons.
The Farah Palmer Cup will be shifted slightly and will be played between the end of August and October. This season it started in early August and finished in early October. It's not clear if the 2026 season will be shorter than in previous years.
The Black Ferns 7s will participate in the revamped SVNS World Series between November 2025 and June 2026.
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