International rugby clash for Chiefs Manawa

Chiefs player Bryn Gatland.
Photo: Photosport / Jeremy Ward

The Chiefs men’s and women’s Super Rugby sides will team up for pre-season hit-out with a difference in Pukekohe next month.

In a ‘Game of Three Halves’ format, with three 30-minute periods, on 17 February the Super Rugby Aupiki champions Chiefs Manawa, will face the Blues women and the Australian Super W runner-up Waratahs.

Following this game, the Chiefs will face the Blues in a Super Rugby Pacific warm-up game.

Chiefs Rugby Club chief executive Simon Graafhuis hoped for a big turnout for the double-header.

“The past couple of years have been challenging with restrictions around crowds, so it is great to be able to promote this special occasion and to see the Waitomo Chiefs Manawa and Gallagher Chiefs playing in this exciting format.”

Black Fern Hazel Tubic will take on the Australian Super W Waratahs side.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Counties Manukau Head of Operations Dale Tucker said: “Covid-19 squashed our chance of hosting a regular season game, so to not only get the Gallagher Chiefs and Blues but also three Super Rugby level women’s teams right here in Pukekohe is huge.”

“This is a great opportunity for our local community to see their heroes in their own backyard. Also, having All Blacks and Black Ferns running out on Navigation Homes Stadium will be great.”

The women’s game will kick off at 2.40pm with Blues vs Waratahs, and offer the chance to see the Australian Super W runner-up, the Waratahs play and provide an insight into the possible future of the women’s game with a Pacific-wide competition similar to the men’s game.

The men’s game will begin at 6pm.