Black Ferns great Sarah Hirini will captain the Hurricanes Poua for their inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki campaign.
On Tuesday, the franchise announced the cross-format star will take the reins for the first season of the new women's competition, which starts on March 5.
The 29-year-old is coming off a career-best year, which saw her capture Olympics gold with the Black Ferns Sevens in Tokyo on her way to being awarded the coveted Kelvin R Tremain Memorial prize as the country's best overall player.
Hirini calls her appointment a "huge honour".
"I'm so grateful to play for the region I grew up in and the club I've supported for a very long time, alongside some really talented women," she says.
"For us, playing for the Hurricanes Poua is a dream come true. We get to represent our provinces and our wider region of the Hurricanes, so we would love for the region to get behind us, to back us, to support us."
Head coach Wes Clarke says having a player of Hirini's stature to lead their side into the new competition is a huge boost.
"I wanted to see how she went in our environment first before offering her the captaincy and, as expected, she has gone outstandingly. The players have really warmed to her, and the players really look up to her.
"Her greatest strengths are that she is really humble, she relates to everyone around her at their level, which is fantastic to see. She is cool and calm under pressure, which I love about her."
Matatū have also revealed their captain for 2022, naming Black Fern Alana Bremner as their skipper, with Black Ferns veteran Kendra Cocksedge and Kendra Reynolds vice-captains.
"When I got the news I just felt this wave of excitement, it's such a privilege to lead the girls," says Bremner.
"We've got plenty of amazing leaders throughout the group, which are really going to help lead the team in this exciting new competition."
On Monday, NZ Rugby confirmed Super Rugby Aupiki will move into a Taupo-based bubble and be playd with a condensed schedule to minimise risk of COVID-19 disruption.
