Manawatū are the only unbeaten team in the Championship and have picked up a maximum 20 competition points from their four games played.
The Premiership is wide open after Waikato defeated Auckland and Bay of Plenty blitzed Hawke’s Bay. Counties Manukau remain unbeaten after overcoming a plucky Northland side.
Otago: 60 (Hannah Lithgow 3, Georgia Cormick 2, Sheree Hume, Tegan Hollows, Jamie Church, Naomi Sopoaga, Kayley Johnson tries, Cormick 5 con), Taranaki: 17 (Hayley Gabriel 2, Eve Martin tries; Laura Claridge con). HT: 40-5.
A commanding victory for the Spirit in New Plymouth set up with six first-half tries.
Hannah Lithgow bagged a hat trick. The St Hilda’s product was a New Zealand Under 18 Barbarians representative in 2023 and underscored her considerable promise replacing veteran Tegan Hollows who retreated to No.8 charging manfully for 82 gained metres and scoring a try.
Replacement back Naomi Sopoaga was another who was tough to contain. She beat defenders at will in an inspired 71-minute display replacing Cheyenne Cunningham who left the field with a cut eye. Halfback Georgia Cormick posted 20 points in another assured performance.
The second half was dominated by the whistle, with three yellow cards. Despite two of those going to Taranaki, the Whio battled bravely. Standout games were from Hayley Gabriel, who scored two tries, and Briana Poingdestre, who gained 143 meters with possession. Combined, the Taranaki loose forward trio made more than 50 tackles.
Waikato: 65 (Lela Ieremia, Veisinia Fakalelu, Rina Paraone 2, Ariana Bayler, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Montessa Tairakena, Chelsea Semple, Roelien du Plessis tries; Semple 7 con, 2 pen) Auckland: 17 (Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, Rori Wood, Elizabeth Moimoi tries; Braxton Sorenson-McGee con) HT: 39-0
Auckland’s fairy tale beginning to 2024, capturing the JJ Stewart Trophy against Canterbury last Saturday, came to a shuddering halt with a record defeat against a rampant Waikato in Hamilton.
With 10 players aged 18 or less on the roster, the visiting Storm were no match for the ruthless hosts who finally hit their straps after a sluggish start to the campaign.
Veisinia Fakalelu began the wreckage with a bullying bust that contributed to a try and then the robust tighthead prop, winner of two National Secondary Schools touch titles at Hamilton Girls’ High School, powered over herself.
In her long and decorated career, Chelsea Semple has never scored more than 25 points in a game for Waikato. Former Black Ferns hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett continued her compelling form. Centre Rina Paraone reminded everybody of why she was once on the cusp of Black Ferns Sevens selections with numerous slashing breaks.
Down 39-0 at halftime, Auckland can take genuine heart from the contribution of their bench. Halfback Aleiyah Tuala cleared without hesitation and reserve front rowers Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono and Rori Wood ploughed through a pile of work and each scored tries. Blindside Elizabeth Moimoi was lion-hearted with 21 tackles and a late try.
Waikato’s increasing confidence will put the Premiership on notice. In 2022 Auckland suffered a record 41-5 defeat to Waikato and recovered to make the final.
Manawatū: 55 (Ruci Malangicagi 3, Kahurangi Sturmey 2, Rangimarie Sturmey, Hollyrae Mete, Ngano Tavake, Selica Winiata tries; Winiata 5 con) Tasman: 17 (Lesieli Taufa, Michelle Curry, Peleoaiga Loto tries; Ashleigh Wood con) HT: 41-12
Manawatū have cracked a half-century in four of their past six matches. With a reliable lineout, powerful scrum, and gifted outside backs the Cyclones are the real deal.
Centre Hollyrae Mete had a colossal game with a try, eight clean breaks, 15 defenders beaten and 203 metres gained.
Tasman’s opening quarter was the best of their season holding Manawatū to 12-10. Winger Michelle Curry scored one of the tries of the FPC.
However, the quick ruck ball and handling of the Cyclones soon had Tasman back peddling.
Tasman finished with tremendous heart. Manawatū loose forwards Taufa Bason, Anahera Hamahona and Elinor-Plum King combined for over 30 tackles
There was enormous work done on defense by Tasman hooker Jet Haywood (20 tackles) and loose forwards Sui Pauaraisa (19 tackles), and Fiaalii Solomona (18 tackles). Centre Lesieli Taufa and fullback Sarah Jones are two players who attack with vigour and flair for Tasman. Jones bravely chimed in with 10 tackles too.
Bay of Plenty: 47 (Azalleyah Maaka, Kokako Raki, Payton Takimoana 2, Karli Faneva, Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Kesha Church tries; Kelly Brazier 5 con, Hope Parata-Kingi con) Hawke’s Bay: 26 (Olioli Mua, Leilani Hakiwai, Denise Aiolupotea, Briar Hales tries; Krysten Cottrell 2 con, Hakiwai con) HT: 26-0
Bay of Plenty have achieved two wins in a season for the first time since 2022 roaring 38-0 ahead of the Tui who rallied bravely to salvage a crucial four-try bonus point. Debutant halfback Briar Hales scored that fourth try with a last playbust from a lineout.
Bay of Plenty prop Te Urupounamu McGarvey was typically robust and former Black Ferns flankers Karli Faneva and Kendra Reynolds (22 tackles) were imperious.
The Hawke’s Bay midfield alone missed 14 tackles with Payton Takimoana and Azalleyah Maaka lethal together. Former New Zealand age group representative Kokako Raki was outstanding on the wing scoring a try and gaining a staggering 226 metres. Bay of Plenty have jumped to second in the Premiership standings.
Wellington: 36 (Drenna Falaniko, Harmony Kautai 2, Lavinia Lea, Sinead To’oala-Ryder Jackie Patea-Feret tries; Arene Landon-Lane 3 con) North Harbour: 21 (Madison Johnson, Ella Henderson, Hailey Beale tries; Mikayla Suluape 3 con) HT:
Wellington was two tries up after seven minutes at Jerry Collins Stadium, and worked hard thereafter to foil a vastly improved North Harbour.
The Pride only led 17-14 after 63 minutes failing to capitalise on a red card. When captain and most capped player Jackie Patea-Fereti scored there was some breathing room established. Damaging Black Ferns XV winger Harmony Kautai sealed victory for the Pride.
Wellington prop Lavinia Lea carried with venom and openside Sinead To’oala-Ryder (19 tackles) was busy. The midfield of Drenna Falaniko and Monica Tagoai made 28 tackles combined and were more accomplished than their counterparts.
For North Harbour lock Izzy West (11 tackles) and flanker Madison Johnson (15 tackles). First-five Hailey Beale has grown considerably and caused concern when she was unhesitant.
Counties Manukau: 35 (Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Joanna Fanene Lolo 3; Tubic 3 con) Northland: 26 (Kerri Johnson 3, Steffi Hooson tries; Tara Turner 2 con, Tyler Nankivell con) HT: 14-7
Portia Woodman is the aunty of Kerri Johnson and when the Kaikohe flyer and CrossFit athlete crossed for her hat trick in the 56th minute there was a real prospect of an upset. Johnson scored all her tries over more than 30 metres and was a Super Rugby Aupiki champion with the Blues.
However, Counties is a settled and experienced team. Former Black Ferns Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Hazel Tubic were all poise and class in tandem at nine and ten, but the Heat’s biggest weapon was super sub-Joanna Fanene Lolo.
Counties 2023 player of the year came off the bench and scored three tries. Fanene Lolo was on a minute after halftime and gained 105 metres with the ball in hand and added eight tackles. She was unstoppable close to the line.
Seeking their first win, Northland was perhaps guilty of playing too much rugby. A spillage five metres out from their line in the 66th minute was a disaster. Openside Tuira Stowers (19 tackles) was a workhorse for Northland.