Match Report: Grand Final v Blues
Sitting at one a piece this Super Rugby Aupiki season, everything was on the line in this year’s grand final - the Blues Women looked to go back to back, and Matatū were looking for redemption at Eden Park.
Matatū hit early to set their intentions as they looked to topple the defending champions. Amy du Plessis sent a brilliant floated pass to Winnie Palamo on the outside to send her over in the corner for the first points of the match.
The visitors then went back-to-back to show their flawless execution. Hot on attack, and stopped just short of the line, Amy du Plessis sweeps around the back and slices straight through the defence to plant the ball down with one hand.
A conversion from Hannah King gave Matatū an early 12-0 lead.
The home side were hungry to get themselves on the board, and player of the match Portia Woodman-Wickliffe showed her strength- busting through the defence from halfway and sending the ball inside to Ruahei Demant to score.
A conversion brought the home side back to within 5 points.
It didn’t take long for the home side to even the scores with Chryss Viliko receiving the ball on the left and powering through the defence and over the line.
A conversion by Krysten Cottrell gave the Blues the lead for the first time in the match and gave them a 14-12 lead going into half time.
Matatū hit back in the second half after a lengthy string of attacking phases allowed Kaipo Olsen-Baker to score in the corner.
Hannah King’s conversion put the visitors back out in front by 5.
But again, the Blues answered back and Ruahei Demant set up Portia Woodman-Wickliffe for her second try of the match.
And like a game of leapfrog, the conversion from Demant put the Blues Women back in front by 2 points.
Matatū then get hit with a yellow card as Georgia Ponsonby attempted to make an upright tackle and creates head-on-head contact with Taufa Bason.
The Blues then receive a harsher penalty, as Eloise Blackwell is given a red card as she made an upright tackle on Hannah King.
The Blues Women then extend their lead and create heartbreak for Matatū as a pass from Winnie Palamo is intercepted by Braxton Sorensen-McGee allowing her to run 75 meters and score right next to the posts.
The Blues Women did what no other team has done in this competition and won back-to back Super Rugby Aupiki titles.
“We created a lot of opportunities, we just didn’t win enough of those moments but to give it our all for that full 80- minutes, I’m really proud,” says Matatū Captain Alana Bremner.
“You can see how much it hurts, this game means a lot to us and we have so many people who put in so much work and effort into this team.
“I’d like to thank everyone for showing up for women’s rugby and would like to mention the late Matua Luke Crawford. His vision for Aupiki was the power of wahine in rugby and ascending to the next level and I’m proud to say we’ve done that this season,” says Bremner.
Final score:
Matatū 19 – 26 Blues Women