The Blues wāhine set the stage, overcoming early adversity after being reduced to 13 players midway through the first half. Despite trailing 12-0 after 30 minutes, they showed grit and determination to grind out a dramatic win on home soil.
On the stroke of half-time, they finally got on the board. Katelyn Vaha’akolo burst down the right side of the field from opposition territory, weaving through defenders and bobbing inside and out to score a fantastic individual try.
The nib Blues kept their foot on the gas to begin the second half, rumbling forward with powerful carries. The Chiefs Manawa defence was caught napping as Ruahei Demant snapped the ball off the back of the ruck to dot it down under the posts, tying things up.
After conceding a try in the 57th minute to Renee Holmes, the Blues wouldn’t score again until the 67th. A handling error in midfield gave our wāhine a prime opportunity to launch a counterattack. Vaha’akolo burst into the 22 down the right touchline, freeing up space on the left. The ball was sent wide where Jamie Kolose crashed over, tying things up again.
When the Chiefs slotted a penalty goal in the 77th minute, it looked as though the visitors were poised for victory but Portia Woodman-Wickliffe had other ideas. In the dying stages, she was fed the ball just outside the 22, where she broke tackle after tackle, crossing the chalk down the right edge and stealing the game at the death.
The nib Blues backline was outstanding in the contest, with Woodman-Wickliffe and Vaha’akolo making numerous impactful plays and scoring two of the better tries you’ll see this season! Demant was a workhorse in the middle of the park, and Maama Vaipulu led the physical battle with several strong carries.
It was another impressive win for the nib Blues, continuing their unbeaten start to the season. They face another challenge next week in Nelson as they take on the unbeaten Matatū - you won’t want to miss it!