Women’s rugby in New Zealand moves to another level on Saturday with the first women’s Super Rugby match between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park.

The postponement of this year’s Rugby World Cup has had a silver lining for some Black Ferns.

Instead of international competition they will make history on the domestic scene when the first women’s Super Rugby match is played between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday.

New Zealand Rugby’s head of women’s rugby development Cate Sexton said a women’s Super Rugby match would not have happened this year if the world cup was going ahead, so they are making the most of the unexpected opportunity.

“It’s a great step forward, it’s something that we’ve been keen to do for a while. I think it will not only create more opportunities for players but also for coaching staff,” Sexton said.

“So I’m really pleased we’re underway with this one-off match this year and we’re really looking forward to what we can put in play at the start of next year.”