Blues: 50 (Ruahei Demant 2, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Grace Gago 2, Sylvia Brunt tries; Krysten Cottrell 3 cons, pen, Demant 3 cons) Hurricanes Poua: 10 (Isabella Waterman, Denise Aoilupotea tries) HT: 17-0
The Blues started their title defence by thrashing Hurricanes Poua 50-10 at Sky Stadium. The margin of victory wasn’t quite as impressive as the 52-5 triumph at Bell Park last year, but nonetheless, it sent an ominous warning to rivals.
The Blues were imperious in the collisions, generating fast and direct attacks that often grew expansive. The scrum was superior and the lineout drive had starch.
By contrast, the Hurricanes Poua were laboured, with momentum only gained in fits and starts. Halfback Iritana Hohaia, fullback Isabella Waterman, and openside Elinor-Plum King were a hive of activity but lacked support.
The Blues were quick to assert their authority and opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant spotted a hole in the ruck and sprinted 25 metres.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has retired from international rugby and hasn’t scored an Aupiki try since 2022. Any thoughts the legend is going through the motions were banished quickly with a vintage 60 metre breakout after 18 minutes.
After a rocky opening quarter, the Poua enjoyed their strongest period of the game before the interval but couldn’t make any headway on the scoreboard.
The Blues regained the ascendency after the break. Demant scored a second try with an incisive burst and then nailed a sideline conversion of a superb try by debutant Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Sorensen-McGee has five relatives who played international rugby league.
Former Black Fern Grace Gago made a welcome return from injury scoring two tries from the bench with a typically robust display at hooker. Harono Te Iringa, Eloise Blackwell and Jaymie Kolose were other strong contributors from the pine.
It should be noted the Poua have a shocking injury list with front rowers Karlie Faneva (knee) and Forne Burkin (quad) on the sideline along with outside backs Raedeen Blake (knee), Te Rauoriwa Gapper (concussion), Harmony Kautai (ankle), Payton Takimoana (knee), Rangimārie Sturmey (ankle) and Shakira Baker (Achilles).
Matatū: 31 (Laura Bayfield, Winnie Palamo, Amy du Plessis 2 tries; Hannah King 4 cons, pen) Chiefs Manawa: 25 (Ruby Tui 2, Reese Anderson, Kennedy Tukuafu tries; Renee Holmes pen, con) HT: 0-8
Matatū and Chiefs Manawa are the closest Aupiki rivals with three wins each in six matches.
Matatū has bragging rights for now with a stirring 31-25 victory.
The highlight of the first half was a sensational Kelly Brazier pass to create a try for Ruby Tui.
The game came alive after the interval when Laura Bayfield ran a cunning decoy to open up the Manawa defence before taking an inside pass from Hannah King to score.
King was a pivotal figure in the game. She played with growing authority and slotted five goals compared to two by Renee Holmes.
Amy du Plessis was another to shine. After opposite Mererangi Paul set up Reese Anderson, du Plessis went on a tear with a series of meaningful busts. Her two tries were all poise and polish.
Collectively the Matatū forwards, especially Bayfield, were outstanding after the break. The lineout became secure and there was noteworthy impact from the bench by Moomooga Palu and Emma Dermody.
Winnie Palamo and Kaea Nepia were two standouts in the 2024 Farah Palmer Cup, with a try they combined to create highlighting the rookies' considerable promise.
The Chiefs led for 35 minutes before Matatū took the lead with Du Plessis' first try in the 57th minute and held on until full-time.