'Our losses have been by close margins which is exciting for the development of Aupiki'
The penultimate weekend of Super Rugby Aupiki will determine which city the final will be played. Chiefs Manawa tops the table and with a win against Matatu will host the decider in Hamilton.
If the Blues beat Hurricanes Poua and Manawa stumble, Auckland will be the venue for the finale.
The Blues were beaten at home in the second round 17-10 by Chiefs Manawa. The Blues returned serve emphatically last Saturday and might be favourites for the final.
Regarding favourites, a Black Ferns titian reached a huge milestone for Matatu.
Blues roaring
Blues captain Maia Roos emphasised with Sky TV after her sides’ 40-26 victory over Chiefs Manawa last Saturday that the Blues were determined to prove they are the best forward pack in the competition. The Blues achieved that lofty ambition emphatically.
The Chiefs lineout was a muddle as the Blues boldly and vigorously contested almost everything. After a stoic start, the Manawa scrum too was dispatched into retreat.
The Blues set the tone early with forceful carries and direct attack.
Former Black Ferns and 2017 Rugby World Cup winners Aldora Itunu (prop) and Eloise Blackwell (lock) have found a new lease of life while Maama Vaipulu might be the breakout star of the competition.
The 2023 Black Ferns XV selection has been a force of nature with abrasive defence, damaging carries, and an athleticism that sets her apart.
The Blues caught lightning in a bottle from the 27th minute to the 32nd minute. Sensationally the score mushroomed to 28-7. New Zealand Women’s Player of the Year Liana Mikaele-Tu’u was rampant at No.8 and World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Katelyn Vahaakolo has been breathtaking. Her Hurricanes hat-trick and try from halfway against the Poua reeked of class.
Krysten Cottrell has been a steady hand and points scorer at first-five but unfortunately, the Blues won’t have Black Ferns centre Sylvia Brunt for the final. She was suspended for three matches after a yellow card and a high tackle on Ruby Tui in the 48th minute. Tui has been selected for the Chiefs this weekend and didn’t seem to harbour a grudge against Brunt raising the question was the ban too harsh?
Defending champions on the board
Matatu captain Alana Bremner became the 21st woman to play 100 first-class games when she led Matatu to a 37-17 victory over Hurricanes Poua in Christchurch last Friday.
With five Farah Palmer Cup Premierships, 19 defences of the JJ Stewart Trophy, an Aupiki crown, and a Rugby World Cup on her resume victory was the only acceptable way to mark Bremner’s milestone.
“It’s a cool milestone. I debuted for Canterbury in 2014 so it’s taken me a decade to get here,” Bremner said.
“The girls got around me and to share the milestone with family and friends back home in Christchurch after a month on the road was special.
“We’ve been building the last few weeks, and it was great to see all the hard work paid off. We scored some cool tries, and it’s a relief to get on the board.”
Defending champions Matatu had lost four consecutive games ruling them out of contention for the final. The camaraderie in the group and form of Bremner though has been strong.
“Our losses have been by close margins which is exciting for the development of Aupiki. In tight games we’ve been on the wrong side of winning crucial moments be that a making an error attacking, throwing an intercept, or a referees’ call going against us,” Bremner observed.
“I appreciate leadership comes with responsibility, so I’ve been trying to lead by example while leaning on other leaders more often for advice. I don’t know it all, but working collaboratively ensures we all learn and grow.
We’ve been working on resilience and consistency in key areas. We’ve shown we can score quality tries from first-phase ball.”
Matatu led for a combined 56 minutes and were level for 68 minutes in the four matches they lost.
Bremner leads the tackle count in Aupki with 77 in five matches. She has played lock, blindside, and eight. Her versatility and experience make her a key figure in the Black Ferns with 19 Tests since 2021.
“When I debuted against England in 2021 it was the Black Ferns’ 100th Test. Marlie Packer played her 100th Test in the Six Nations recently. That’s a phenomenal achievement to be so consistent for so long. She’s definitely one of those players you remember. She’s really in your face and physical,” Bremner said.
“The build-up to this World Cup feels very different to 2022. There are a lot more international on the calendar. We have more time together to build combinations, analyse, and play tests against countries that are getting better all the time.
“The Black Ferns’ biggest priorities now would be our kicking game, how and when we kick, our body height in contact, and improving our carry and clean.”
Defence, lineout, and leadership are specifics Bremner is concerned about and she has the ear of recently retired All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock to lean on. The legendary lock won 281 of his 363 first-class games, including the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015.
“I first met Sam when Matatu management put us in touch. I had a face time with him where I wrote down heaps of questions and was kind of in awe. I looked at the clock and 45 minutes was gone, just like that.
“I’ve stayed in touch because he’s an awesome advocate for the game and I can ask him very pointed questions about the lineout, leadership, and defence.”
The venue for the final between the Blues and Chiefs Manawa will be resolved after this weekend’s round. Bremner is torn as to who she thinks might win that clash.
“It’ll be an exciting game. The Chiefs are structured and experienced whereas the Blues are more unpredictable, but when they get a roll on; they’re hard to stop.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Poetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
2 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
2 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
89 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
89 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
89 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
89 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
89 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
89 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
89 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
89 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
89 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
89 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
89 Go to comments