The Silver Fern

@KiwiMurph said in AUPIKI 2024 FINAL: Blues v Chiefs Manawa:

@Auckman said in AUPIKI 2024 FINAL: Blues v Chiefs Manawa:

Chelsea Semple’s BF career is pretty much over (or should be) after that howler. In the pouring rain, it should’ve been kicked to Ngaruawahia

She could have simply put the ball down and taken a goal line drop out. Would have been a far better option than what she did

Could have grounded the ball, kicked the ball, or passed the ball - basically anything other than what she did 🤦♂

Commentators had in correct in saying that Matatu were better prepared for Finals through lots of defensive work during the RR.
Manawa defence wasn't really tested or when it was they just scored more which absolved the defensive errors.
A bit much reliance on 15 players from the Manawa coaches and I agree that a bit of on field leadership was lacking when plans weren't coming off. They were easily eating metres when they played one off drives but would then lose connection on a drive and get turned. That's a lack of focus through tiredness.
Still a good campaign overall and some big lessons learned for the future.
Well played Matatu

I managed to watch a replay of this game this morning. Good to see the Chiefs backs more involved as the back three are all threats. It is strange that you can somewhat manufacture props in the women's game but it appears that the Chiefs have major injuries there.

The Blues are a dangerous team when they get their off-loading game going. Their scrum held up better than I thought it would.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

@Crucial said in Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua:

Santo Taumata injured before the game. They had to quickly fly in a WTG replacement to make the 23 as they already had a couple of prop injuries. I think they ended up with a prop at hooker but still smashing the Canes scrum.

Vici-Rose Green was the replacement player. IIRC she ended up at flanker when she came on, even though she is a hooker.

Hadn’t trained with the side much at all. The WTG players don’t get much group training and she only arrived the day before the game.

Chiefs Manawa also took rookies from other areas into their squad so that other franchises didn't have to be weaker in accommodating them. eg Maia Joseph

Give things a chance. It will always take a handful of seasons for teams to settle as players look for better opportunities rather than being in stacked squads. There will still be an element of it but not perhaps as much.

Re: the BF7s thing, they themselves are rebuilding and most of the Sevens players will be concentrating on that format. Bit of a perfect storm this year with 'senior' players wanting a big flourish with CG and RWC representation before retiring.

The teams themselves know that they could only play the cards dealt so I doubt there will be much bragging about the win. They would all prefer a full home and away comp.

I did not like the refereeing in this game. Cogger-Orr seemed to always favour the defensive team, and often never let the attacking player to even place the ball.

The Poua played much better than the final score indicated, particularly with no warmup game. A dominant Chiefs Manawa scrum (even with 7 players) and tenacious defence was the difference.