Preseason Aupiki: Blues v Chiefs Manawa v Waratahs women

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

The Blues have picked up Toka Natua.

[Crucial]

Waitomo Chiefs Manawa to face the nib Blues and Waratahs:
Starters:
Kate Henwood
Luka Connor
Tanya Kalounivale
Kelsie Thwaites
Chelsea Bremner
Charmaine Smith
Kennedy Simon (C)
Victoria Makea
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
Hazel Tubic
Geogia Daals
Azalleyah Maaka
Carla Hohepa
Mererangi Paul
Tenika Willison

Impact:
Grace Houpapa-Barrett
Te Urupounamu McGarvey
Santo Taumata
Dhys Faleafaga
Tynealle Fitzgerald
Violet Hapi-Wise
Amanda Rasch
Olive Watherston
Harono Te Iringa
Apii Nicholls

[Bovidae]

Who is Kate Henwood? Mulu and Tangen-Wainohu aren't involved.

[Crucial]

Kate Henwood a surprise name in there. Not on the Manawa squad list but a Volcanix player last year mainly from bench. Angel Mulu not in those teams so possibly a replacement.

Edit: Google indicates that Henwood has been around the FPC scene for a number of years. BOP are stacked in the front row so maybe don't take her being a bench player as an indicator

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

I hadn't noticed that Kelsey Teneti is also in the Blues team. Has she also been released from sevens?

[Crucial]

Blues making hard work against the Tahs in the first five minutes. Can’t get out of their 22 and turning the ball over easily

[Stargazer]

Both teams very evenly matched, thus far.

[Crucial]

Blues look the stronger but need to tidy up errors.
5-0 so far (Blues)

[Crucial]

Tahs girls really lacking penetration. Not enough leg drive at contact.

[Crucial]

Finishes up 12-0 to Blues. Very pre-season would be the polite assessment.

Blues v Chiefs Manawa now. Blues with the advantage of dusting off some cobwebs. Chiefs fresher.

[Stargazer]

End of this half: Blues 12 - 0 Waratahs

Katelyn Vahaakolo scored the first Blues' try. Who scored the 2nd?

Edit: 2nd try scored by Melanie Puckett.

[Stargazer]

@Crucial said in Preseason Aupiki: Blues v Chiefs Manawa v Waratahs women:

Finishes up 12-0 to Blues. Very pre-season would be the polite assessment.

Blues v Chiefs Manawa now. Blues with the advantage of dusting off some cobwebs. Chiefs fresher.

Only 5 players in the starting XV for this half are the same.

[Crucial]

Chiefs bringing way more intensity to this.

[Crucial]

@Stargazer said in Preseason Aupiki: Blues v Chiefs Manawa v Waratahs women:

@Crucial said in Preseason Aupiki: Blues v Chiefs Manawa v Waratahs women:

Finishes up 12-0 to Blues. Very pre-season would be the polite assessment.

Blues v Chiefs Manawa now. Blues with the advantage of dusting off some cobwebs. Chiefs fresher.

Only 5 players in the starting XV for this half are the same.

They all changed around during the game anyway. Rolling subs

[Stargazer]

Geogia Daals is quick!

[Stargazer]

Second try to Mererangi Paul. Nice team try. Great kick from Tubic.

12 - 5 Chiefs Manawa

[Crucial]

Another scrappy game but this one had some good moments of continuity at times.
12-5