The nib Blues are back-to-back champions! Our wāhine showed enormous heart to come from behind and defeat Matatū 26-19 in a thrilling final at Eden Park becoming the first team to win two Super Rugby Aupiki titles.
Matatū dominated the opening quarter, camping inside the Blues’ 22 and testing the defensive wall repeatedly. Our wāhine held strong, making 87 tackles in the first 20 minutes, but eventually Matatū broke through twice to take a 12–0 lead.
However, as soon as the nib Blues got their hands on attacking ball, they pounced. Matatū tried to spark something from the restart, but a forward pass shortly after handed the Blues a midfield scrum and they made it count. Ruahei Demant popped a short ball to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who broke a tackle and surged into the 22. She linked back inside with Demant, who streaked away to score under the posts.
Moments later, Matatū failed to go 10 metres from the restart, handing the nib Blues another midfield platform. This time, Demant put Braxton Sorenson-McGee through a gap with a tidy inside ball. The fullback burst into the 22 before the forwards took over, hammering away until Chryss Viliko muscled through four defenders to crash over. With the conversion, the nib Blues took a 14-12 lead into halftime.
Matatū reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute after a patient 20-phase build-up, but the nib Blues answered with flair. From a five-metre scrum, Demant dished a classy out-the-back ball to Woodman-Wickliffe, who sliced through for her second with the nib Blues retaking a 21-19 lead.
With 10 to play, tension skyrocketed. Matatū were shown a yellow card for a high shot on Taufa Bason, and soon after, Eloise Blackwell was shown red, leaving both teams with 14.
Then came the play of the game. Matatū, hot on attack, flung a loose pass which Sorenson-McGee plucked out of the air. She showcased her speed, running 80 metres with several Matātū players in pursuit to extend the nib Blues lead 26-19.
Matatū threw everything at the nib Blues in the dying minutes, desperate to spark one final attacking raid and force extra time. But our wāhine stood tall, showing immense heart and resilience as they defended their goal line with everything they had.
After the siren, it was Woodman-Wickliffe who came up clutch snatching a crucial intercept to end the threat. The ball was swiftly kicked into touch, sealing the result. The nib Blues are back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki champions!
Woodman-Wickliffe was outstanding, scoring two tries and charging into contact all night. Sorenson-McGee was rock solid at the back and delivered the match-winner, while Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Maiakawanakaulani Roos were immense up front, laying the defensive platform.
The champions aren’t done yet a trans-Tasman clash against the Waratahs awaits, with the title of inaugural Super Rugby Women's Champion on the line. With the match set at home, the nib Blues will be liking their chances to bring another piece of silverware back to the trophy cabinet.