Aupiki Consolation Final - Poua v Blues

[Crucial]

Hard one to call, this.

Blues very hot and cold and have never quite shown a clear strategy that fits the players. Poua have been hampered by a dysfunctional scrum (it was mentioned that they have no experienced specialist tighthead?) which is letting them down badly. In phase play they are as good as any but like the Womens RWC eventually the scrums and mauls will kill you off.

I'm picking Blues in a close one.

[Crucial]

The Hurricanes Poua named to take on nib Blues:

1 Krystal Murray

2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate

3 Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono

4 Joanah Ngan-Woo

5 Rachael Rakatau ©

6 Layla Sae

7 Rhiarna Ferris

8 Aroha Savage

9 Iritana Hohaia

10 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali

11 Crystal Mayes

12 Monica Tagoai

13 Shakira Baker

14 Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly

15 Isabella Waterman

16 Saphire Abraham

17 Sosoli Talawadua

18 Cristo Tofa

19 Maddie Feaunati

20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker

21 Milly Mackey

22 Carys Dallinger

23 Teilah Ferguson

[Crucial]

nib Blues

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Grace Gago
3. Sophie Fisher
4. Eloise Blackwell
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Charmaine McMenamin
7. Tafito Lafaele
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
9. Melanie Puckett
10. Krysten Cottrell
11. Katelynn Vahaakolo
12. Ruahei Demant
13. Sylvia Brunt
14. Jaymie Kolose
15. Patricia Maliepo
    Reserves:
16. Alakoka Po'oi
17. Toka Natua
18. Letelemalanuola Lavea
19. Maama Vaipulu
20. Shannon Ikahihifo
21. Ariana Bayler
22. Holly Williams
23. Tara Turner

[Stargazer]

@Crucial Teilah Ferguson finally getting a run in the last game. No idea whether she was injured in the previous rounds. Hopefully, she gets more than 6 minutes, like Kahlia Awa in her debut, last week.

[Stargazer]

Media releases:

Hurricanes Poua named for Final Clash with the nib Blues

nib BLUES AIM TO FINISH AUPIKI ON A HIGH — Blues Rugby

The nib Blues are targeting third spot in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki when they face Hurricanes Poua at FMG Stadium in Hamilton at 11:35am. The match forms part of the Aupiki finals weekend with the nib Blues determined to finish the competition on a winning note. Head Coach, Willie Walker, has shown f

[Stargazer]

Poua already 21 point up in the first 20 minutes.
Blues not in the game, thus far.

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

The Blues are firmly awake now.

[Stargazer]

Half time: Blues Women 14 - 21 Hurricanes Poua

Blues tries: Jaymie Kolose and Grace Gao; 2 conversions Krysten Cottrell.
Poua tries: Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly and Monica Tagoai (2x); 3 conversions Isabella Waterman.

[Stargazer]

From 1st half:

[Stargazer]

The Poua have really struggled to play well for the full 80 minutes. This game seems to follow the same pattern. Such a pity.

19 - 21 Poua

[Stargazer]

I should have posted that sooner. Great team try from Waterman.

Yellow for Vaha'akolo for a high tackle.

19 - 26 Poua

[Stargazer]

This is the Poua's best game of the season. Hopefully they can keep on playing well until the final whistle.

[Yeetyaah]

Ooh man why take the 3 there.

[Stargazer]

@Yeetyaah Because it's almost full time and they put the Poua 10 points in front.

[Yeetyaah]

@Stargazer oh fuck lmao I'm reading the score wrong

[Stargazer]

The Hurricanes Poua beat the Blues Women 29 to 24. Well-deserved win!

[Crucial]

@Stargazer said in Aupiki Consolation Final - Poua v Blues:

The Hurricanes Poua beat the Blues Women 29 to 24. Well-deserved win!

Rankings wise probably right result as well.
Poua struggled all season with a poor scrum but were well organised otherwise.
Blues just seemed directionless a lot of the time. Of the four teams they also look an odd one out with regards to a tight culture in the team. No image/name/haka etc. Those things could be related as acroos al forms of women's rugby the teams with a close bond seem to perform the best.

[Stargazer]