Blues: 24 (Ruahei Demant, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Jaymie Kolose, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe tries; Demant 2 cons) Chiefs Manawa: 22 (Vici-Rose Green, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Renee Holmes tries; Holmes con pen, Kelly Brazier con) HT: 5-12
It was a heartbreaking case of Déjà vu for Chiefs Manawa in their Grand Final replay with the Blues.
In the 78th minute while leading 22-19 reckless tackling gifted the Blues unnecessary momentum and penalties.
With a liberal license to attack the Blues urgently shifted the ball to centre Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in her more customary right-wing position.
With an explosive turn of pace and two left-hand fends, she dispatched Chyna Hohepa and Hazel Tubic and powered over for a vintage match-winning try.
After three yellow cards and 48 minutes in arrears, it was a contest the defending champions were extremely fortunate to win.
The Chiefs Manawa initially gained ascendancy through the industry of their forwards and educated kicking from Black Ferns Rugby World Cup winner Hazel Tubic. In the 18th minute, combative Waikato hooker Vici-Rose Green muscled over for the first try.
The Blues' discipline wavered, and they lost prop Chryss Viliko (dangerous tackle) and first-five Krysten Cottrell (deliberate knockdown) to the sin bin within three minutes of each other. Undermanned, the hosts couldn't stop a rampaging Grace Houpapa-Barrett.
It took special individual efforts to get the Blues back on an even keel. In the 31st minute, Katelyn Vahaakolo turned Ruby Tui into knots with a scintillating 60m surge. Earlier Vahaakolo had made a try-saving tackle on Mererangi Paul.
Three minutes into the second half Ruahei Demant emulated her try from the first round surging through the middle of the ruck unopposed.
Blues reserve prop Te Iringa Harano was yellow-carded in the 55th minute for a dangerous cleanout. Three minutes later a converted try to Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes propelled Manawa to a 19-12 lead.
A dazzling counterattack saw the Blues draw level with a Jaymie Kolose try after 68 minutes. Kolose has scored nine tries in 13 games for the Blues
Manawa rallied and, after a prolonged assault inside the Blues' 22, earned a penalty, which Holmes converted in the 77th minute.
Manawa captain Kennedy Tukuafu is averaging 18 tackles per game this season. Her full-throttle approach epitomised the heart of the Chiefs Manawa, who were unfortunately left to rue lapses in concentration.
The Blues have won seven consecutive matches following a 17-10 loss to Manawa on March 9, 2024.
After two rounds, Woodman-Wickliffe has beaten the most defenders (14) and made an unusually high 27 tackles.
Vahaakolo scored a women's season record 22 first-class tries in 14 appearances in 2024.
Blues lock Maama Vaipulu has been a beast in her two outings with 26 carries and 21 tackles.
Matatū: 29 (Grace Brooker, Kaea Nepia 2, Winnie Palamo, Lucy Jenkins tries; Hannah King 2 cons) Hurricanes Poua: 7 (Ayesha Leti-I'iga try, Cassie Siataga con) HT: 24-7
Matatū won two consecutive matches to start a season for the first time, winning 29-7 against the Hurricanes Poua at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
In contrast to last weekend, when Matatū failed to score a point in the first half, their win on Sunday was built on a clinical first 40 minutes. The hosts were ahead 24-0 after 31 minutes.
Second five and Australian Rules bound Grace Brooker opened the scoring by collecting the fourth pass from a sweetly executed scrum move.
Brooker had a hand in the next try scored by Kaea Nepia. Poua fumbled a lineout and Brooker kicked the ball ahead for Fia Liakong to pursue. The winger collected possession and distributed it to the fullback who dashed 45m. Nepia's next try after half an hour was even better slashing through from halfway.
Nepia kicked five from five for Waikato in their 27-25 win over Canterbury in the 2024 Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) final. She also scored 24 points in the record 69-12 demolition of Auckland in the semifinal. Nepia has won 10 out of 12 games in a Waikato jersey.
Winnie Palamo recently celebrated her 21st birthday. The winger is another youngster starting Aupiki strongly, scoring two tries in two games. In the second half, she also set up a try for flanker Lucy Jenkins in the 68th minute. In the FPC, Palamo ranked inside the top five for tries scored, metres gained, and clean breaks.
The Hurricanes Poua won the last 53 minutes 7-5. Black Ferns winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga dotted down for her fifth try in eight games for the Poua and was typically threatening throughout. There were hearty displays from loose forward Layla Sae who made 20 tackles in the first round and Lush who grew in stature.