The more things change the more they stay the same. Launching with a new name and new trophy, Super Rugby Women's kicks off on Friday with the same six teams and the same five-game round robin season.
Entering it's seventh iteration, the Brumbies, Rebels, Fijian Drua (formerly Fijiana), Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs and Western Force return to battle for the title.
Back-to-back champions Drua will be keen to make even more history as they defend their title, and the Waratahs will be looking to return to the grand final stage, while the Rebels will be desperate to make a mark in what could potentially be their last season.
With kick-off around the corner, ESPN has put together everything you need to know ahead of the opening whistle.
ACT Brumbies
Coach: Scott Fava
Captain: Siokapesi Palu
Squad: Katalina Amosa, Ashlea Bishop, Lily Bone, Bonnie Brewer, Joanne Butler, Biola Dawa, Chioma Enyi, Benita Ese Sale, Ashley Fernandez, Martha Fua, Sally Fuesaina, Jess Grant, Kate Holland, Jasmin Huriwai, Harmony Ioane, Lydia Kavoa, Kyah Little, Kolora Lomani, Anastasia Martin, Loretta Mailangi, Erika Maslen, Becka Marsters, Jemima McCalman, Faitala Moleka, Tania Naden, Siokapesi Palu, Gabrille Petersen, Kayla Sauvao, Allana Sikimeti, Hannah Stewart, Jaimie Studdy, Tabiua Tuinakauvadra, Iris Verebalavu, Neomai Vunga.
Last year: Given one of the hardest draws in the competition, the Brumbies were up against it early, falling just short to Fijian Drua in testing conditions in Fiji before they pushed both the Waratahs and the Reds. It wouldn't be until Round 4 that they'd get their first win over the Rebels in another tense encounter, while a second win would come in a demolition over the Force, securing their place in the semifinals. The Reds would prove too good however with the Brumbies going down in a tight loss. Recruiting hard, they welcomed in World Cup winner Amy Rule who added another dimension to the side upfront, while Grace Kemp in the backrow continued her impressive form and Jasmin Huriwai led the way from halfback.
This year: Retaining 18 players from last year's squad, the Brumbies have said goodbye to Amy Rule and Grace Kemp and have been forced to look around the pacific for recruits with former Waratahs Katlina Amosa making the move down south, Kolora Lomani joining from the Drua and Neomai Vunga making her way across from Tonga. The squad still retains plenty of international talent with Siokapeso Palu, Tania Naden and Jasmin Huriwai all representing the Wallaroos last year while Rugby Australia Junior Women's Player of the Year Faitala Moleka brings excitement to the side. With some tough competition on the road, the Brumbies will be eyeing their home matches as good opportunities to get some marks in the win column.
Draw: Waratahs [A], Rebels [H], Reds [A], Drua [H], Force [H].
FIJIAN DRUA
Coach: Mosese Rauluni
Captain:
Squad: Repeka Aditove, Vani Arei, Luisa Basei, Noelani Baselala, Atelaite Buna, Adita Christine, Jade Tayla Coates, Merewai Cumu, Salanieta Kinita, Anasimeci Korovata, Litiana Lawedrau, Litia Marama, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Salanieta Nabuli, Vulori Nabura, Karalaini Naisewa, Mereoni Nakesa, Merewai Nasilasila, Merewairita Neivosa, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Setaita Railumu, Jennifer Ravutia, Tiana Robanakadavu, Merewalesi Rokovono, Iva Sauira, Loraini Seinivutu, Evivi Senikarivi, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Uluikadavu, Mereoni Vonosere, Sulita Waisega.
Last year: How exactly did the Fijian Drua manage to go back-to-back? Losing several of their best across the Super W and Super Rugby Aupiki competition, the Drua dropped three straight matches to finish the regular season, and looked nowhere near as threatening as they had a season earlier, after they were hammered by the Tahs in a grand final replay before they were shocked by the Force in Perth and downed by the Reds a week later. Somehow though they managed not only to shock the Tahs in the semifinal but also the Reds in the grand final to secure their second Super W title.
This year: Yet again facing changes within the squad with captain Bitila Tawake moving to Super Rugby Aupiki, the Drua have also brought in a new coach with former Fiji international Mosese Rauluni taking on the role. Meanwhile off-field issues have also dogged the side with reports players boycotted a training camp in protest over the contracts they were being offered. Facing two of their toughest opponents straight up -- including a grand final rematch -- the Drua will be looking to keep their home unbeaten record alive when they host the Tahs in Round 2 before they'll be aiming to redeem themselves following last year's loss to the Force. Either way, they proved they can still get the job done even if they drop a few games along the way.
Draw: Reds [A], Waratahs [H], Force [H], Brumbies [A], Rebels [A].
NSW WARATAHS
Coach: Michael Ruthven
Captain: Piper Duck
Squad: Katrina Barker, Tatum Bird, Hollie Cameron, Emily Chancellor, Georgia Chapple, Skye Churchill, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Waiaria Ellis, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Martha Harvey, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Atasi Lafai, Kaitlan Leaney, Arabella McKenzie, Brittany Merlo, Desiree Miller, Layne Morgan, Sera Naiqama, Leilani Nathan, Bridie O'Gorman, Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Jade Sheridan, Maya Stewart, Adiana Talakai, Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Jacinta Windsor.
Last year: After dropping a game for the first time in 2022, the Waratahs entered the 2023 season determined to return to the top of the Super W and reclaim their crown. They kicked off their season with the perfect start, running all over the Force before they downed the Brumbies and took their grand final revenge over the Drua in Round 3. But signs the pack had caught up began to show when they were pushed all the way to the wire by the Reds at Concord Oval where they snuck home with a one-point victory. The Super W crown looked like theirs for the taking after they finished the regular season unbeaten, but a shock loss to a fast-finishing Drua saw them knocked out at the semifinal stage for the first time in Super W history.
This year: Disappointed with last year's finish, the Waratahs have come into the 2024 season with a mix of fresh faces and some old with stars Bella McKenzie, Emily Chancellor and Kaitlin Leaney all returning from their stints abroad while they've welcomed Wallaroos lock Annabelle Codey to bolster their second row. They've also welcomed in a new coach in Michael Ruthven who comes with a strong background coaching the Warringah Rats in the Shute Shield over the last three years. Expectations will be high for young gun Caitlyn Halse to continue her strong form from last year with fellow fullback Lori Cramer making the move back up north to Queensland, while Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart will want to continue their strong Wallaroos form. The return of Piper Duck from injury will also bolster the side following Grace Hamilton's departure.
Draw: Brumbies [H], Drua [A], Rebels [H], Force [A], Reds [H].
Melbourne Rebels
Coach: Jason Rogers
Captain: Ash Marsters
Squad: Tasmin Barber, Laetitia Bobo, Laiema Bosenavulagi, Tyra Boysen-Auimatagi, Lucy Brown, Mia-Rae Clifford, Halley Derera, Georgia Fowler, Grace Freeman, Hayley Glass, Grace Hamilton, Sarah Hogan, Paula Ioane, Melanie Kawa, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper, Ash Marsters, Crystal Mayes, Tiarah Minns, Sydney Niupulusu, Jayme Nuku, Sui Pauaraisa, Teuila Pritchard, Cassie Siataga, Joiwana Sauto, Millicent Scutt, Mary Tuaana, Hollie Twidale, Fapiola Uoifaleahi, Harmony Vatau.
Last year: Winless again in 2023, the Rebels finished the season without a single point to their name as they failed to secure even a single losing bonus point. It was another tough hit out for the team down south smashed early by the Reds before they finished the season with another drubbing to the Waratahs. Showing some signs of development they were simply outclassed by their opposition throughout the season and failed to make the most of their opportunities.
This year: With the ongoing financial crisis hitting the club, 2024 could be the last season ever for the Rebels, and they'll be keen to get at least a win on the board to make a statement. Coach Jason Rogers makes his return to the club alongside Wallaroos star Ash Marsters. In a major coup, Wallaroos flanker Grace Hamilton has made the move down south to join her Montpellier and Wallaroos teammate Masters. Both make their return from a summer in France where they've no doubt added to their skillset. On the road to kick off their season, the Rebels have a lot going against them, but with two home games to close out the season they'll have a chance to sneak a win in front of a home crowd.
Draw: Force [A], Brumbies [A], Waratahs [A], Reds [H], Drua [H].
QUEENSLAND REDS
Coach: Grant Anderson
Captain: Cecilia Smith
Squad: Grace Baker, Jemma Bemrose, Maletina Brown, Lori Cramer, Carys Dallinger, Briana Dascombe, Sarah Dougherty, Alana Elisaia, Aleena Greenhalgh, Haidee Head, Charli Jacoby, Janita Kareta, Ashlee Knight, Carola Kreis, Tiarna Molloy, Doreen Narokete, April Ngatupuna, Liz Patu, Isabelle Robinson, Deni Ross, Shalom Sauaso, Madison Schuck, Cecilia Smith, Theresa Soloai, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Lucy Thorpe, Caitlin Urwin, Dianne Waight, Ava Wereta, Melanie Wilks, Ivania Wong, Natalie Wright.
Last year: Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride. The saying has never rung truer than for the Reds who've reached the Super W grand final on five separate occasions but failed to come home with the chocolates every time. Led by captain Shannon Parry and young flyhalf Carys Darringer, the Reds took their game to another level finally finding the polish they'd lacked over the previous seasons. Firing early, the Reds went on a three-game winning run before they were just pipped by the Waratahs in Round 4, but they were quick to bounce back with impressive wins over the Drua and Brumbies to reach the final. Yet again Ivania Wong proved herself a game changer with her work on the wing, while their firing forward pack added another dimension to their game upfront. It wasn't to be however, with the Drua finding another level in the final to add to the Reds grand final heartbreak.
This year: Making her mark last year Dallinger makes her return for the Reds with added international experience under her belt, and she'll be expected to be a leader once again if the Reds are to go one further in 2024. Following Shannon Parry's retirement, centre Cecilia Smith slots into the captaincy position, while fullback Lori Cramer has made her way home after two seasons with the Waratahs. Annabelle Cody's departure is a hit to the side's lock stocks but expect Deni Ross to step up in the Wallaroos' absence, meanwhile the side's front row has been bolstered with USA international Charli Jacoby linking with former Wallaroo Liz Patu. Bracketed with their two toughest games to open and close the season, the Reds will be after a strong start against the Drua to build momentum into their final regular season match against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Draw: Drua [H], Force [A], Brumbies [H], Rebels [A], Waratahs [A].
WESTERN FORCE
Coach: Dylan Parsons
Captain: Trilleen Pomare
Squad: Emilya Byrne, Sara Cline, Rosie Ebbage, Zoe Gillard, Haylee Hifo, Sheree Hume, Tamika Jones, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Kendra Fell, Hinata Komaki, Saelua Leaula, Nicole Ledington, Michaela Leonard, Keira MacAskill, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Rosie McGehan, Alapeta Ngauamo, Renae Nona, Hannah Palelei, Trilleen Pomare, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Anneka Stephens, Pia Tapsell, Harono Te Iringa, Libya Teepa, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Dallys Tini, Alanis Toia, Numi Tupaea, Braxton Walker, Aiysha Wigley, Samantha Wood, Seneti Kilisimasi (PacificAus Sports Scholarship), Siutiti Ma'ake (PacificAus Sports Scholarship).
Last year: In massive scenes the Western Force claimed one of the biggest upsets in Super W history when they downed defending champions the Drua in Round 4, but despite their two wins - they also defeated the Rebels - a loss to the Brumbies in the final round meant they missed out on reaching the semifinals for the first time. Led by former Force captain Matt Hodgson and stacked with plenty of international talent from Japan, New Zealand and Australia, the Force brought a new edge to the competition but lacked the polish to keep themselves amongst the top teams.
This year: With another new coach in Dylan Parsons, the Force went hard in recruitment again in the offseason bringing in talent from around the world including Canada hooker Sara Cline, Japan prop Hinata Komaki and Tonga rugby league player Haylee Hifo, while they've also brought in former netballer Numi Tupaea on the wing after a huge season in Perth's Premier Grade competition where she scored 12-tries through the year. The Force have also retained some Wallaroos talent with Michaela Leonard and Trilleen Pomare returning to the club. With a decent draw, the Force will have a chance to push for a semifinal spot if they manage to sneak at least two wins at home.
Draw: Rebels [H], Reds [H], Drua [A], Waratahs [H], Brumbies [A].