Super Rugby Aupiki final: Teams named to lock horns at Eden Park

It’s final time in Super Rugby Aupiki and the teams are in. The Blues will host Matatu at Eden Park in search of their second consecutive title.

Both sides have Black Ferns littered throughout their starting teams and in the reserves, promising 80-minute performances from both outfits.

The competition’s two leading points scorers will line up in the respective 10 jerseys, with Hannah King leading Matatu and Krysten Cottrell leading the Blues.

The competition’s most lethal ball-carrier Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who boasts 39 defenders beaten, will line up in the outside centre channel opposite fellow Black Fern Amy du Plessis, who has the fourth most tackle breaks with 26.

Electric outside back Winnie Palamo leads the competition in metres made and will line up on the right wing, across the field from Black Ferns star Katelyn Vahaakolo.

The front rows see titans collide, with Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea and Aldora Itunu named for the Blues, while Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby and Moomooga Palu will start for Matatu.

Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Maama Vaipulu round out the tight five for the Blues, while Stacey Niao and Chelsea Bremner make up the second row for Matatu.

The loose forwards are especially star-studded, with Holly Greenway, Taufa Bason and Liana Mikaele Tu’u selected for the hosts to square off with Alana Bremner, Laura Bayfield and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Tara Turner is the Blues halfback and Maia Joseph will bring plenty of experience for the South Islanders.

There’s plenty of class at second five-eight for both teams, with Ruahei Demant lining up for the Aucklanders against Grace Brooker.

Jaymie Kolose and Braxton Sorensen-Mcgee round out the starting unit for the blues, as does Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Kaea Nepia for Matatu.

Blues

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Atlanta Lolohea
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c)
5. Maama Vaipulu
6. Holly Greenway
7. Taufa Bason
8. Liana Mikaele Tu’u
9. Tara Turner
10. Krysten Cottrell
11. Jaymie Kolose
12. Ruahei Demant
13. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
14. Katelyn Vahaakolo
15. Braxton Sorensen-Mcgee

Impact

16. Grace Gago
17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu,
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Eloise Blackwell
20. Dajian Brown
21. Kahlia Awa
22. Sylvia Brunt
23. Patricia Maliepo

Unavailable due to injury: Sophie Fisher  

Matatu

1. Pip Love
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Moomooga Palu
4. Stacey Niao
5. Chelsea Bremner
6. Alana Bremner (c)
7. Laura Bayfield
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
9. Maia Joseph
10. Hannah King
11. Cheyelle Robins-Reti
12. Grace Brooker
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Winnie Palamo
15. Kaea Nepia

Impact

16. Tegan Hollows
17. Maddi Robinson
18. Amy Rule
19. Sarah Jones
20. Fiali’i Solomona
21. Kelsyn McCook
22. Hollyrae Mete
23. Fia Laikong

Unavailable due to injury: Lucy Jenkins, Marcelle Parkes, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle