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'It's another first': Blues in history-making mood ahead of Champions Final
By Ned Lester
The first-ever champions clash between the winners of Super Rugby Women’s and Aupiki is just two days away, and the Blues are in a history-making mood.
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Over the weekend, the Aucklanders became the first team to win back-to-back titles in Aupiki with a dramatic 26-19 win over Matatu at Eden Park.
The victory saw the team’s motto come to fruition; “Be the first” has been echoing through team sheds across the country as the team pursued another title shot, and will be echoing through the halls of North Harbour Stadium on Thursday when the Blues lock horns with the Waratahs.
The Tahs prevailed 43-21 over the Queensland Reds just hours before the Blues claimed their title, also becoming back-to-back champions.
The success of both outfits places even more emphasis on Thursday’s fixture, and both teams are riding high.
“It’s another first. And so, we’re going to be the first to put our foot forward in every moment in that one as well,” Blues co-captain Maia Roos told media after lifting the Aupiki trophy for the second time in her young career.
“We’ll celebrate tonight. Winning Aupiki is so special, it’s a competition here at home, so we’ll celebrate now, but reset and go again.”
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Coach Willie Walker doused thoughts of any large-scale celebrations given their short turnaround until game day, saying: “We’re not going out to make up the numbers. We’ve got a bit of work to do still.”
The coach explained his thinking behind the team’s motto, saying being the first doesn’t just refer to the first back-to-back champs, but it also applies to a more general, in-game attitude: Being the first to the ruck, to loose balls, to scoring, etc.
With this exciting new chapter in an age-old trans-Tasman rivalry, Walker also doused the idea of expectations that could come with keeping New Zealand ahead of Australia in the history books. He said his side weren’t looking to make a “statement” in the context of the international rivalry.
“I think it’s an opportunity. An opportunity for that exposure and potentially where Aupiki goes; involving the Aussies in a wider competition is only going to grow our game and grow their game and make for better contests at that next level.
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“And to be honest, I think that New South Wales team have been playing some pretty good footy. We played them in our preseason, it was a 36-all draw or something like that, so we know that they can play footy.
“I just want it to be a great game and showcase the level at which these athletes are at, and hopefully we just continue to push and grow.”
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