Super Rugby Aupiki champion reveals secret to Blues’ historic title win

One of New Zealand’s veteran women’s rugby stars added another accolade to a world-class resume this year.

“I think it’s crazy to hear you say it out loud! I’ve just been really blessed to be given opportunities to have those achievements next to my name,” says Super Rugby Aupiki Champion and Olympic medalist Niall Williams-Guthrie.
Williams-Guthrie was part of the Blues women’s team who won their first championship this year. Despite coming last in 2023, she mentions an important conversation at the start of the year that set the tone for the team.

“The turning point was when we first came in, we sat down and said ‘how do we want to look different to last season’.

“The girls knew they had it in them, but were classed as the ‘second half team’ [because we] had real poor starts, always came back in the second half but couldn’t manage to win. We wanted to change that this season.”

The Blues finished at the top of the table, winning five of their six games in the regular season. Their only loss came against the Chiefs Manawa, who the side beat in the final 24-18.

Reflecting on the historic win, the veteran says it was special to observe the younger players and their commitment as professional athletes.

“The best thing about it is you get to see them behind the scenes, people usually just see what’s on the field. But for myself, from Thursday to Sunday seeing the work they do, the analysis, the asking questions, the extra reps after training we get to see all of that.

“To see it come to fruition on the field where they play well, they’re at the top of their stats, to see that happen makes your heart happy for us who see the behind the scenes stuff they do.”

The Blues Woman's side at FMG Stadium.

Compared to the Super Rugby Pacific competition, Super Rugby Aupiki athletes are not contracted full-time, with some still working in jobs outside of the sport.

Williams-Guthrie says she’s familiar with playing on a full-time and part-time basis, and insists it’s important to have strong support systems as a professional athlete.

“I think it’s a credit to the girls and the women in our sport who are semi-pro, but putting in effort like they’re full-time contracted athletes.

“There’s so many factors for someone being successful but only part-time, and I talk about support circles all the time. You have to have a great support system around you, people who are willing to take on extra responsibilities you may have in your life so you can dedicate more time to training.

“Speaking from someone who’s been in both programmes full-time and semi-pro, the expectations never change - it’s how you work around to meet that level that is the difference.”

Williams-Guthrie joined the Blues women this year, signing a contract with the side late last year following a season playing in the NRLW for the Gold Coast Titans.

And after completing her first competition in Super Rugby Aupiki, the veteran comments on what it would mean if Australia’s Super W would merge with the New Zealand competition.

“I think that’s the biggest debate going on at the moment. Joining with the Aussie teams it’s the end goal. But at the moment with the standard of play in Aussie, there might be some people questioning if it’s worth it at the moment.

“But that’s the sacrifice, the questions asked if it’s worth going over so we have more game time against international opposition - or playing against our own which might be a bit better quality.”

Since its inception, Super Rugby Aupiki has only consisted of four teams; the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Matatu.

Across the ditch, the Super W competition (Australia’s women’s rugby competition) has six teams; the Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Western Force and the Fijiana Drua.

Williams-Guthrie suggests New Zealand and Australia Rugby Unions should take after England, who have invested a lot into women's rugby.

“England by far are the top tier standard, yeah we won the World Cup but in terms of investment, programmes, competitions, they’re just above the rest by far.

“I think the last game they played against Ireland, 45,000 people (were) at the game. That’s awesome! And that’s the level we want to get it, not just in a Black Ferns World Cup year.”

She recognises the Black Ferns aren’t as attractive as the All Blacks, but she says the more opportunities the women are given to play will help boost their profile.

“The All Blacks are a world-wide entity and we’re still building that level of status. But the Black Ferns are massive and the more time, money we invest into them - to get them seen, the better it will be for the ladies too.”

Williams-Guthrie has now moved to the Gold Coast, where she will play her second NRLW season. She praises the Titans for their investment into the women’s game.

“The culture we built, the depth of talent the Titans have, from Queensland, from the Titans pathways is amazing. I think the club is going to be successful for a long time.

“For myself to be part of it, it’s awesome because I know they do pick players from their pathways. And (though) we made the grand final, we didn’t play our best but this year we want to win the first premiership for the Gold Coast.”

Williams-Guthrie with her two children.