Full Credit

Success at Matatū hasn’t come from shortcuts or quick fixes. Alice Soper and Les Elder dive into the culture, planning, and vision driving the southern franchise as it continues to build one of the strongest foundations in women’s rugby.From investing in local talent pathways to strengthening connections across every feeder province, Matatū has created an environment built on continuity, development, and opportunity. The squad and coaching group have remained steady, allowing emerging players to grow, rough talent to be refined, and future stars to take the next step toward greatness.The franchise is already producing Black Ferns, debutants, and even coaches making their mark at the highest level — proof that the system is working. Alice and Les discuss the leadership, recruitment, retention, and community focus helping shape the club’s identity, as well as the challenges that come with maintaining success in an increasingly competitive women’s game.With a new season approaching and expectations rising, the big question remains: can Matatū turn its blueprint into another Super Rugby Aupiki-winning campaign? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Full Credit, Alice Soper and Les Elder take a deep dive into the state of Chiefs Manawa — the franchise that once set the standard in women’s rugby, but now finds itself navigating a difficult rebuild.With major squad turnover, declining results, and changes in the coaching setup, the conversation explores how quickly success can shift in a developing competition and what happens when a powerhouse loses the core group that built its identity.Alice and Les reflect on the legacy of the players and staff who created the foundation of Chiefs Manawa’s dominance, while also highlighting the next generation now being asked to carry the franchise forward. What can realistically be expected from a squad packed with rookies? How do you rebuild confidence, cohesion, and culture while still trying to compete at the highest level?The episode also looks at the wider lessons for Super Rugby Aupiki franchises: sustainability, player pathways, retention, and the challenge of staying on top in a rapidly evolving women’s game.A thoughtful conversation about leadership, legacy, and the realities of rebuilding in elite sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a new Super Rugby Aupiki season on the horizon, Alice Soper and Les Elder dive deep into the Blues’ campaign. Starting from the competition launch and early team announcements, the duo unpacks the full Blues squad. Analysing key player departures, the impact of fresh signings, and how shifting combinations could reshape the team’s identity.They explore the influence of Black Ferns within the lineup, the evolving coaching strategies behind the scenes, and the exciting emergence of young talent—especially in a dynamic and fast-rising backline. From proven leaders to breakout prospects, no stone is left unturned in assessing who could define the Blues’ season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les Elder and Alice Soper wrap up an action-packed Pacific Four Series. The Black Ferns complete a clean sweep but not without leaving a few big questions on the table ahead of the end-of-year tour. What worked, what didn’t, and where are the gaps that need attention?The duo name their team of the week, highlighting standout performers across all nations, and take a look ahead at what’s next—breaking down upcoming fixtures and what Black Ferns jerseys are still up for grabs on the end of year tour. Before then lies the excitement of Super Rugby Aupiki. So while this international window closes, the domestic competition is kicking right off.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Black Ferns have surged back to World #2! Under Whitney Hansen, this team is starting to look seriously dangerous. Les Elder and Alice Soper unpack a commanding win over Canada that highlighted physicality, tempo and a little Mererangi magic.Kennedy Tukuafu led from the front in a standout performance, while all teams, officials and fans showed resilience and a lot of love through long weather delays.We dig into what’s changing under Hansen and why this could be the foundation of something special. Plus, a quick look at the USA Eagles’ momentum, Australia’s struggles, and our picks for Team of the Week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice Soper and Les Elder unpack the opening round for Pacific Four and the impact of the wild weather at home and on the pitch. They celebrate key player milestones, assess the performances of debutants and dive into the Black Ferns’ highly anticipated return.They've fired up the spreadsheets as stat chat returns to help them name their team of the week. Before together, they identify the non-negotiables required for the Black Ferns to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in world rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women’s rugby is back for 2026 and so are Alice and Les! After a break, your favourite duo returns to dive headfirst into everything you’ve missed. From the biggest stories and off-field buzz to standout moments shaping the new season, they’ve got all the goss covered.They also break down the newly announced Black Ferns Pacific Four squad, sharing their thoughts, surprises, and players to watch. Plus, they wrap things up by answering your listener questions—nothing’s off the table!Whether you’ve been following closely or need a full catch-up, this episode is your perfect re-entry into the world of women’s rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's that under your tree? A bonus episode of Full Credit! Santa's helpers, Les and Alice, are back to sort the latest rugby headlines into ‘naughty or nice’. There's a new Black Ferns head coach, revamped high-performance calendar and smaller ball size to debate before we make our Christmas wish for women's rugby this year! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rugby World Cup lit a fire under women’s rugby but where do we go from here? Alice and Les come together for one last time to unpack what’s fuelling the sport’s epic rise. From smart strategies and superstar coaches to media buzz and unforgettable player performances, we cover it all. We’re talking future plans for Aotearoa, the global impact, and why this movement is bigger than rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big games, bigger emotions! This week, we're diving into the highs, lows, and plot twists of the World Cup. From Canada’s epic rise and their growing rivalry with New Zealand, to the game-changing power of crowd noise, coaching moves, and consistent lineup. We’re talking game time, grit, and the global glow-up of the women’s game. Oh, and those finals? Buckle up we are about to witness history! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Springbok women show us all what's possible when you test the laws of the game and the current World Champions. France hold on by the skin of their teeth. England look as dominant as ever and the Canadians look equally dangerous. How do our Black Ferns find their way through? Tune in to this week and then set your alarms for 6am Saturday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice is the captain of I told you so's, revealing who was in her DMs asking for a ticket and what song she sang back to the Irish fans. Les gives a heart felt thanks to each of the teams that attended before they both have a crack at naming the teams they think will progress to the next round. We share the love with the teams who are headed home and make our predictions for the knock out round. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice and Les dive into a weekend rich with rugby action, cliffhangers, qualifications and the Black Ferns performance. They unpack the evolving landscape of women’s rugby through team performance, coaching, and long-term development. With a strong focus on community support, representation, and the power of visibility in sport. The conversation moves beyond stats to explore what truly drives growth in the game. Looking ahead, they share match predictions and hopes for the final round of pool play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Cup is finally here! Who cried in the opener? Who has impressed us? What do we want to see going into week 2? Les and Alice answer all these questions and name our top performers for the week. Unpack THAT decision to not put on injury replacements and the role social media is playing in this tournament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice is about to jump on a plane and Les is ready to set her alarm because the Rugby World Cup is finally here! We have all the dates for a Black Ferns fan's diary. A rundown of the hype we are seeing on social media and discuss the teams we are excited to see. Before finally naming the side we think should run out against Spain in the Black Ferns opening match of pool play.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two week's out from the Women’s Rugby World Cup, we're breaking down the final pre-tournament clashes. A review of England vs France and Canada vs Ireland to determine who's peaking? Who’s tweaking? And what it all means heading into the big dance. Plus, we dive into the detail from the opening round of the Farah Palmer Cup. Serving you a sandwich of the good, the bad and the work ons for our favourite domestic competition.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Black Ferns XV drawing their series with the Springboks women, Alice and Les unpack what we can learn from this tour and about our potential quarterfinalist opponents. Alice has another spreadsheet to dissect with England having announced their World Cup squad. And the Farah Palmer Cup is about to kick off leaving even more rugby to sink our teeth into! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The guessing is over! Les and Alice now have the official Black Ferns Rugby World Cup Squad list to unpack. What does this tell us about the style of play we should expect at this tournament? And the state of play here in Aotearoa? We give you our take and the stats behind the team named to chase our 7th World Cup title.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A development team has been named to travel to South Africa. Les and Alice speculate on what this mean for our World Cup Squad and the growth of our game. Before discussing how it is Ruby Tui could still make the cut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last test has been played and now we all wait until the Black Ferns name their World Cup Squad on the 25 July. So while we wait, Alice and Les have their best guess at how this team may come together and name their own World Cup Squad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les and Alice are back after a month's break to get you up to speed on all the bits and pieces of women's rugby news you may have missed. They then unpack the Black Ferns trial game and try to name their game day 23 for the final test ahead of our World Cup squad announcement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pacific Four Series has come to a close, with the Black Ferns winning their 3rd title. But who were our MVPs of each of the teams that played? And who was the overall MVP of the tournament? Les and Alice run through their picks and the games they will be watching now that most teams take a break for the month of June.Alice references an article with links to these games in this episode, you can find that article here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Portia Woodman-Wickliffe makes history in North Harbour, Alice and Les dig out some old footage of the original top try scorer for the Black Ferns. They unpack the final round of the Pacific Four Series and name their in-form 15 - disagreeing on their halfback! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A classic in Christchurch see nothing separate the Black Ferns and Canada. Les and Alice unpack that action, our play of the week alongside the fiery match between Australia and USA. We name our top performers of round 2 of the Pacific Four Series before Les shares how she used to handle selection pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Black Ferns 2025 international season is underway with a win over the Wallaroos. Now we've completed round one of the Pacific Four Series we can name our in form 15 and for the first time, we have access to the game highlights so can explain to you what we are keeping an eye on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Tri-nations series in 1999 to the Pacific Four Series of 2025, Alice and Les talk through the history of the Black Ferns test international schedule. They then discuss questions put to New Zealand Rugby after the confirmation of an male Black Ferns coaching lineup and share answers given to them by women in the coaching pathway. Finishing with a comparison the Black Ferns team list they picked with their panel, to see if they would make any changes now that the Pacific Four Squad has been announced. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A full panel of experts is assembled to unpack the 2025 season. Black Ferns #173 and #191, Chelsea Semple and Kristina Sue as well as contributions from commentator Taylah Johnson, help to pick the MVPs of each team and debate the selection of the first Black Ferns side for the Pacific Four series. PLEASE NOTE: This was recorded before Portia Woodman-Wickliffe made her announcement which is why she doesn’t feature in panel discussions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aupiki season has come to a close but there's still plenty to play for with the first ever crossover match between our winners and the winners of the Super W. Wallaroo #186, Sera Naiqama, joins us as we talk about how the Blues and the NSW Waratahs have got here and what we can expect from this historic match up.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les and Alice wrap the details of the last round and talk through changes to this week's in form 15. They then get stuck right in profiling of the two teams that will be battling it out in this week's final. What makes the Blues the favourite? Why shouldn't you write off Matatū?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les and Alice need your help picking a starting 7 for our in form 15 because the flanker talent is just too good! We talk about what's left to play for in the final round and the signs of growth we have seen from the competition this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les and Alice take a look at the high performance system Aupiki operates within. Asking questions of coaching development, talent identification and where our sevens talent slots into the Black Ferns World Cup Plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les and Alice talk through the weekend's action and pick their in form 15. At the halfway point, we take a look at the top line stats before we put this competition back into it's wider context. Explaining what being an Aupiki player really entails and what we would prioritise from here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les and Alice unpack the action from round 2 and what it says about how the franchises are travelling. They name their in form 15 before discussing whether this competition is setting our Black Ferns up for World Cup success.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An upset and a demolition have kicked of the 2025 season. Matatū edging the Chiefs Manawa, 31-25, before the Blues showed why they are the team to beat going up 50-10 over the Hurricanes Poua. Les and Alice review the matches and name their in form 15 from the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki. Before they roll up their sleeve to talk nerdy, digging into the key stats teams will want to work on in the weeks ahead. Game on!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les and Alice discuss the origins of New Zealand's top domestic women's rugby competition and how each team is shaping up for the fourth season of Super Rugby Aupiki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.