When Sarah Hirini takes to the field for her Super Rugby Aupiki debut, the Hurricanes Poua captain won't have to look far to find some familiar faces - mostly in the opposition.
When the Black Ferns Sevens skipper returns to the 15-a-side game for the first time since 2017, she'll line up against several of her Olympic champion teammates, among Chiefs Manawa at Hamilton.
Hurricanes Poua will make their maiden foray into Super Rugby a week late, after a COVID-19 outbreak saw their scheduled debut against the Blues cancelled.
Coached by Black Ferns Sevens mastermind Allan Bunting, and with sevens stars Portia Woodman, Ruby Tui, Kelly Brazier, Renee Wickliffe, Carla Hohepa also in the Chiefs ranks, Hirini certainly won't be lonely in her side's first outing.
Facing off against her international teammates has underpinned Super Rugby Aupiki, before a ball was even kicked in Chiefs Manawa's debut victory last week.
"There's been banter right from the get-go, once we decided what teams we were playing for," Hirini says.
"There's been a few messages through the week. I respect those girls a lot and obviously the Manawa team put out a good show last week, but I'm sure there'll be a few [bits of] banter at the bottom of rucks."
For Hirini, the adjustment from sevens to 15s has been a big one, after years of dedication towards her Olympic goal, achieved in Tokyo last year.
After specialising in a 14-minute game, Hirini, 29, will be tested in 15s, extending out to 80 minutes, but is confident in her preparation and in the teammates replacing her, if she can't go the distance.
"I'm lucky that we've got some good players to come on and replace me, if need be. I'm just going to go for as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"If that means I don't last the full 80, I'm not too worried about that. I know I've got a job [to do], but I also know that there are probably a little bit longer breaks in 15s, when a scrum's getting set up, when a lineout's getting set up.
"I'll take my tactical breaks, when I can, but I'll be going as hard as I can to be effective."
Super Rugby Aupiki is just part of a huge year for women's rugby in New Zealand. The Black Ferns will defend their World Cup title on home soil, while the Black Ferns Sevens will defend their Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cup crowns.
Hirini could be involved in all four events, so 2022 may stand tall amid an already decorated career.
"It's amazing," she adds. "I'll get to start my year off playing Super Rugby Aupiki for the Hurricanes Poua - a dream come true for a lot of us.
"To have that as the start and then hopefully flow into some other amazing things, I'm pretty grateful for that.
"Hopefully, it's just the start of Super Rugby Aupiki and it continues to grow year on end."
